Program delivery update – May 4, 2017
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Clarification of the China Transit Program instructions on U.S. visa requirements when travelling from the U.S.
Summary
This clarification harmonizes the verb tenses between both official languages on Connexion and matches the Connexion wording to the website wording, with regards to China Transit Program (CTP) users’ U.S. visa requirements when transiting Canada from the U.S. This update was made following external questions seeking clarification and should not impact current practices.
When travelling from the U.S., CTP clients must provide proof that they entered the U.S. on a U.S. visa that was valid at that time. If the visa has since expired, the clients must show that they were authorized to remain in the U.S. up to the time they are seeking to transit through Canada. For example, after arriving in the U.S., the client was granted permission to work, study or visit for a period of time beyond the expiry date of their visa.
Prior to this update, the instructions could have been interpreted to mean that a client’s U.S. visa could not be expired in order to transit Canada from the U.S.