Do you have plans to travel from USA to Canada soon? Here’s your ultimate guide to understanding CANPASS - its process, costs, and more! Read here to know.

Are you planning for a trip to Canada soon via a private aircraft? Here’s some good news for you! Canada is finally re-opening its borders and resumes CANPASS applications.

CANPASS: What Is It?

For private and corporate aircraft flying into Canada from the United States with a crew of no more than 15, the CANPASS - Private Aircraft and Corporate Aircraft program facilitates border crossing. Members of this program have faster clearances for low-risk, pre-screened travellers and access to more airports.

For low-risk travellers, this initiative also simplifies the border clearance process.

What Are the Advantages of the CANPASS – Private Aircraft Program?

The following benefits are available to your private aircraft if you are a member of CANPASS - Private Aircraft:

What Are the Advantages of the CANPASS – Corporate Aircraft Program?

When the local Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office opens, CANPASS - Corporate Aircraft program members are permitted to land at airports of entry. Members can also use one of the airports that are exclusively CANPASS-compatible.

You can transport up to four non-paying passengers who are not registered program participants as a member of the CANPASS - Corporate Aircraft program, and they will still be eligible for all program benefits.

For a fee of CAN$25 per entry into Canada, these travellers are eligible to get temporary authorisation to travel with you on any single passage.

Notes:

How CANPASS - Private and Corporate Aircraft Works

Regardless of the hours that the nearby CBSA office is open, private aircraft that comply with the program's standards can land at any Airport Of Entry (AOE) anytime. Check here to see the list of AOE in Canada. The plane may also touch down at an airport that accepts CANPASS exclusively. Click here to see the list of CANPASS only airports

The Pilot In Command (PIC) of the aircraft is responsible for reporting all passengers and belongings. To report themselves, their crew, and their passengers to a telephone reporting centre (TRC), pilots must call 1-888-CANPASS (1-888-226-7277) no later than 48 hours before the projected time of arrival of their aircraft in Canada.

The TRC enables travellers who enter Canada by private aircraft, corporate aircraft, or private vessel to notify the CBSA of their arrival and submit declarations over the phone.

Who Can Take Part in the Program?

To qualify for CANPASS - Private Aircraft, you must fulfil the following requirements:

On the other hand, to qualify for CANPASS - Corporate Aircraft, you must fulfil the following requirements:

You must complete an application form and sign it by each corporation applicant.

The details supplied on Form E672, the CANPASS Application Form, will be used to determine the eligibility of the employees if they wish to participate. After being accepted into the program, an employee's membership is valid for five years.

Notes:

ONLY ATTACH PHOTOCOPIES as they will not return your sent copies. You should not send out the original documents with the application. On every entry into Canada, passengers must travel with their original documentation.

The corporation must deliver all applications along with the billing authorisation (Form E679) and the $40 Canadian non-refundable processing charge to one of the following offices:

Pilot Responsibilities

The aircraft may not accommodate more than 15 persons for the CANPASS - Private Aircraft privileges (including the crew). When utilising CANPASS powers, the pilot cannot charge passengers a price for passage.

The pilot is responsible for ensuring all passengers have the necessary visas to enter Canada. Additionally, they must make a call to the TRC at least two hours, but no later than 48 hours before the plane's anticipated arrival time in Canada.

The pilot must disclose to the CBSA the following details during that initial phone call to the TRC:

Note: If the ETA changes by more than 30 minutes, the arrival location, the passenger list or the passengers' declarations change, the pilot must alert the TRC before landing in Canada.

Until the ETA stated to the TRC has passed, the pilot must stay put at the point of arrival. There is no need to contact the TRC again. The airplane may continue to its final destination, and passengers may disembark if no officer is prepared to receive it when it arrives at the reported ETA or actual arrival time, whichever is later.

The driver of the conveyance is accountable for the following in addition to those mentioned above:

Any law violations could result in the impoundment of conveyance, seized or forfeited, criminal charges, fines, or jail time.

Things You Should Keep in Mind

#1. Travelling with Non-CANPASS Members

Non-CANPASS members need to follow the normal procedure. The pilot must adhere to the Telephone Reporting - General Aviation Aircraft regulations if a passenger is not a member on board.

CANPASS membership cannot cover members of a person's immediate family or friends who travel with them. Each passenger on the aircraft must register for the CANPASS - Private Flight program.

#2. Declaring Goods

All passengers must declare any personal items they are bringing on board, including any firearms or other weapons, as well as any currency or other financial instruments worth CAN$10,000 or more. If duties or taxes are owed, the border services agent at the TRC will ask for the traveller's mailing address, Visa or MasterCard number, and expiration date.

Although each person on board the aircraft is ultimately accountable for adhering to immigration and customs laws, the pilot must only phone the CBSA with information on each passenger, including any declarations of items.

#3. NEXUS Eligibility

The U.S./Canada NEXUS program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents, and Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico's trusted traveller program, Viajero Confiable.

You must obtain your parent's or legal guardian's permission to participate in the program if you are under 18. Basic criteria for eligibility include:

#4. CANPASS Penalties

If you do not follow the rules and regulations of the CANPASS - Private Aircraft Program, your membership could be cancelled or suspended. This includes breaking any rules the CBSA oversees and applies, such as customs and immigration laws.

The CBSA has the authority to levy fines, expel non-residents, and seize any items and any aircraft used to transport the products, depending on the seriousness of the offence. Additionally, you can face criminal charges.

#5. Privacy Act

The CBSA has the permit to gather personal data, such as name, date of birth, address, citizenship, and proof of citizenship, after an applicant has completed and signed the CANPASS application form.

The data is kept private, and officials will only use them for background security checks. All data is secured in a secure central database using various tools, such as firewalls. Employee access to client information is also restricted and tracked.

The federal Privacy Act protects all given personal information.

#6. Security Measures

Only travellers who have been pre-approved are permitted to participate in the CANPASS - Private Aircraft program. Before being accepted, applicants go through a comprehensive security clearance check.

Members of CANPASS - Private Aircraft must comply with the program's rules by having their membership information cross-referenced with customs and immigration databases each time they enter Canada. Every year, the authorised personnel review each member's eligibility.

#7. Costs

Each applicant must pay a CAD$40 non-refundable processing fee if they are 18 or older. For individuals who are younger than 18, there is no cost. You can pay with American Express, MasterCard, or Visa. You can also submit a certified check or money order to the Receiver General of Canada in Canadian dollars. Never send cash.

Join CANPASS - Private Aircraft Program

Your involvement in this program is wholly optional. Your eligibility will be determined using the data you supply. Your membership in the program will be good for five years if you are accepted.

Additionally necessary is the written authorization of a parent or legal guardian if you are under 18.

How to Apply

1. Finish filling out and signing the CANPASS application form: Form E672.
2. The finished application form, the $40 Canadian non-refundable processing fee for each applicant above the age of 18, together with a photocopy of your citizenship or permanent residence status documentation, should be sent to a Canadian processing centre.
3. Once approved, it will take four to six weeks to process your application.
4. Incomplete applications or do not have the required paperwork, and the processing fee is not processed. You will receive a letter from the CBSA requesting the submission of the necessary data.
5. The CANPASS will be valid for 5 years

Evidence of Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status

An applicant's citizenship or legal status as a permanent resident in Canada or the United States must be proven. Please include photocopies of the required documentation along with the application form. The authorised personnel won't give back these photocopies.

Give one of the following if you are a citizen of Canada or the United States:

Please provide one of the following, indicating whether you are a citizen of Canada or the United States:

Canada

Unites States

Bottom Line

CANPASS is a program that can benefit many individuals, especially private travellers, but it is also not a free pass. There are some drawbacks to consider before joining. However, this may be the right choice if you are travelling there regularly and want to make your trips more convenient!

As the country only resumed its operations in processing applications on October 1st, 2022, consider the pros and cons before diving into the decision.

HADID has got you covered for your flights to and from Canada! Acquire best in class services that provide you with excellence and luxury from the get-go.

Contact our operations team for Air Charter and Concierge services as well as comprehensive International Trip Planning services, including flight permits, flight plans, fuelling and ground handling. ops@hadid.aero.