May 19, 2015 —Vancouver— Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander announced at the Vancouver International Airport the expansion of the China Transit Program (CTP). This program allows eligible Chinese travellers to fly to and transit through Canada visa-free when they are en route to and from the United States.
Starting June 1, 2015, the program will expand to three additional major transit hubs – Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Seoul Incheon, which are in addition to Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Manila and Taipei that are already part of the program.
This expansion means more choice and greater flexibility for eligible Chinese travellers to transit through Canada, and more business for participating airlines and Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International Airports, including additional revenue for airports through landing fees and spending by travellers.
As part of today’s announcement, the Government is also simplifying the administrative process by which new airlines can participate in the China Transit Program. This change will make it easier for airlines to carry eligible Chinese transit passengers through Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International Airports.
The Government of Canada is committed to the expansion of transit programs and is assessing the eligibility of other departure cities in China to be added in the future. Consultations with the air and tourism industries are ongoing as the government explores new opportunities for facilitating transit passengers through Canadian airports, particularly once the new Electronic Travel Authorization system is implemented next year.
Kevin Menard
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
