Operational Bulletin 223-B – February 01, 2012

The Expansion of the China Transit Trial – Modified

Summary

This Operational Bulletin (OB) advises officers about the changes made to the China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program. The China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program commenced on February 01, 2012.

Issue

The authorities have expanded the one-year China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program on February 01, 2012. The pilot program will now include Air China.

Background

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) introduced a limited China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program. They introduced this pilot program at the Vancouver International Airport (VIA) on July 30, 2009. This China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program was initially limited to a duration of one year. The CIC introduced the China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program in conjunction with the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA). As of March 2011, this also included Toronto’s PIA. However, this was only applicable for Terminal 1.

As a result of the changes brought about by the CIC, Chinese foreign nationals would need to meet certain eligibility criteria. Only then would they be able to travel under the terms of the China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program. To be eligible for travelling under the China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program, Chinese foreign nationals would need to:

• Possess a valid visa issued by the United States
• Possess a valid passport issued by the authorities of the People’s Republic of China
• Hold a confirmed onward ticket for a connecting flight that departs from Canada immediately
• Chinese nationals transiting Canada under the China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program would not need to seek entry into Canada as temporary residents
• Arrive in Canada on an airline that has an up-to-date Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and China Transit Trial (CTT) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CIC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and,
• Transit through either of the two options given below:
• Vancouver International Airport (VIA) or,
• Toronto PIA (Terminal 1 only)

At present, the authorities have limited this trial phase to a duration of one year. In addition, this trial is currently limited to the following five airlines:

• Air China
• Air Canada
• Jazz Aviation LP
• Cathay Pacific and,
• Philippine Airlines

Chinese nationals participating in the China Transit Trial (CTT) pilot program would also need to comply with one other requirement. They would need to have, as their last embarkation point, one of the following cities:

• Beijing
• Hong Kong
• Shanghai
• Guangzhou
• Manila or,
• Taipei

The Procedures

Therefore, Chinese foreign nationals would need to meet the criteria listed above. On meeting the above-mentioned criteria, these Chinese foreign nationals would be able to transit Canada at:

• Vancouver International Airport (VIA) or,
• Toronto PIA (Terminal 1 only) 

Chinese foreign nationals transiting Canada via the above-mentioned options would not need to obtain a temporary resident visa. However, this provision is only valid until September 30, 2012.

Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)