Pre-boarding Information

In order to make air travel more secure, stricter screening procedures are increasingly common. This section provides information and advice to help you avoid delays and problems during boarding.

ON THIS PAGE Passenger Protect Program Pre-boarding Checklist Luggage Criminal Record Entry Requirements

Passenger Protect Program

The Passenger Protect Program is an aviation security initiative aimed at keeping people who may pose an immediate threat to aviation security from boarding a flight. The program implementation date is June 18, 2007 for Canadian domestic flights and international flights to and from Canada.

Identity Screening Regulations
New Identity Screening Regulations require all passengers planning to travel on Canadian domestic flights, who appear to be 12 years of age or older, to present the following ID before boarding:

1. One piece of valid government-issued PHOTO ID that shows name, date of birth, and gender

OR

2. Two pieces of valid government-issued ID (without a photo), one of which shows name, date of birth, and gender

AND

3. The name on the identification must match the name on the boarding pass.

All rules for flights to the United States and other international travel continue to apply. The verification of passengers’ ID is already a practice followed by most major air carriers in Canada.

Note: Until September 18, 2007, inclusively, an exemption requiring only one piece of government-issued ID without photo will be granted to Canadian air passengers who appear to be between 12 and 17 years of age.

Specified Persons List

Specified Persons List includes the name, date of birth and gender of individuals who may pose an immediate threat to aviation security, should they board a flight.

Reconsideration and Appeals

In the event that there is a mistake made despite all these preventive measures, a reconsideration process is available.

Privacy and Human Rights

The protection of privacy rights and human rights is a core element of the Passenger Protect Program.

Pre-boarding Checklist

• Have a valid Canadian passport for all trips outside Canada. A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted identification document, and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada. Some countries do not require a passport for entry but do require photographic identification (such as a driver’s licence) as well as proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a birth certificate or citizenship card). However, this varies from country to country.
  
  
• Make sure that you have all of the appropriate documents when travelling with your child as well as to be aware of any regulations and conditions that may affect your trip.
  

• Be aware of any health safety requirements for foreign travel. In case of local health concerns, rigid health screening procedures or quarantines may be imposed. Consult the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program for further information.

• Research your destination by consulting the Travel Reports and the Current Issues section, and monitor local developments and news broadcasts carefully for up-to-date details about events that could affect your travel plans.

• Be patient and follow orders of security officials at the pre-board screening checkpoint at all times. Avoid comments about security measures that could be misinterpreted and cause undue problems.

Luggage

• Be aware of airline regulations for both carry-on and checked baggage (keeping in mind new airline carry-on restrictions).

• Ensure that you are able to answer detailed questions about your luggage and can provide quick and easy access to all suitcases and packages.

• Pack your own bags and be ready to answer questions about all contents. Never wrap or package gifts.

• Never leave your luggage unattended and never take anything across a border for someone else.

• Make sure there are no sharp objects or items that might be considered weapons, such as nail files and medical syringes, in your carry-on luggage. Such items should be packed in your checked bag. It is best to check with your airline for further details regarding permitted and non-permitted items.

• Ensure electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptop computers and electronic games, are charged and ready to be turned on for inspection. Without proper inspection, you will not be allowed to take them on board.

• Pack prescription medication in its original container, accompanied by the doctor's original prescription. Syringes for personal medical use must have the needle guard in place.

Criminal Record

• If you have a criminal record, no matter how minor or how long ago the offence, you may be refused entry to the United States or encounter problems in transit through its airports. A pardon issued by Canadian authorities is not recognized for purposes of entry to the U.S. If you have a criminal record, you should contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your trip. You may apply for a waiver of ineligibility, Form I-192, "Application for Advance Permission to Enter the as a Non-immigrant".

Entry Requirements

Transport companies, such as air, rail, and bus services, are required to ensure that all passengers can produce valid, universally accepted travel documents. Transport companies, especially international airlines, may be fined if they carry improperly documented travellers and are often liable to return those passengers to their point of origin.

A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document and airlines are known not to accept it as such. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship.

To avoid such problems, Canadian citizens, including dual nationals, are strongly advised to obtain a Canadian passport prior to initiating international travel and to use their Canadian passport at all times for international travel.

A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada.