Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN)
Submit your Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN) online up to 72 hours before arrival — skip the kiosk lines and breeze through border control.
Processing Speeds for Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN)
What Is the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN)?
The Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN) is a digital customs and immigration form that allows travelers to submit their declaration up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada. Managed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), this optional but highly recommended tool replaces the need to answer questions at the airport kiosk or fill out a paper card upon arrival. By submitting your details in advance, you access express lanes at major airports like Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR), significantly reducing your wait time at the border.
The declaration is submitted through the official ArriveCAN platform or via DoVisa — we review your data for accuracy, format your documents, and ensure your submission is ready for the 72-hour window. You will need your passport details, flight information, and answers to standard customs questions regarding goods, currency, and health. Once processed, you receive an Advance Declaration receipt (digital confirmation) linked to your passport. When you arrive, you simply scan your passport at a primary inspection kiosk or eGate to retrieve your declaration, verify your identity, and proceed.
While the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN) is not a visa, it streamlines the entry process for all travelers, including Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It does not replace the requirement for a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — you must still hold valid entry documents. Note that COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements were removed on October 1, 2022, so health information is no longer required unless specifically requested. If you need to update your declaration after submission, you can do so before you arrive or at the kiosk.
For more details on entry rules, visit our Canada visa information page or the official CBSA portal. Ready to save time? Apply for your Advance Declaration now.
Who Needs the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN)?
Who Needs It
- International travelers arriving by air at participating major Canadian airports
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning home by air
- Visitors holding a valid visa or eTA who want to use express lanes
- Families and groups (one declaration can include multiple travelers living at the same address)
Who Is Exempt
- Travelers arriving at non-participating airports (must use paper forms or kiosks upon arrival)
- Travelers entering Canada by land or marine ports (different reporting requirements apply)
- Transit passengers who do not clear Canada customs
Canada Entry Requirements & Restrictions
Passport & Visa
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Most visitors also need a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) unless exempt (e.g., U.S. citizens). See IRCC Entry Requirements.
Cannabis & Prohibited Goods
Although cannabis is legal within Canada, taking it across the border is a serious criminal offense. Prohibited items also include firearms, certain weapons (tasers, pepper spray), and fresh foods/plants without inspection. See CBSA Restricted Goods.
Currency Restrictions
You must declare currency or monetary instruments valued at the legal reporting threshold. Failure to declare can result in seizure and penalties. This includes cash, cheques, and money orders.
Health & Biosecurity
COVID-19 measures ended in 2022. However, you must declare if you have visited a farm or had contact with livestock while abroad to prevent the spread of diseases like foot-and-mouth disease.
Identification for Children
If traveling with a minor and you are not the sole guardian, carry a consent letter from the non-accompanying parent(s). Border officers strictly monitor for missing children.
Travel Tips for Canada Visitors
Canada is the world's second-largest country, spanning six time zones from Pacific to Newfoundland. Most international flights land at major hubs like Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montréal-Trudeau (YUL), and Calgary (YYC). Domestic travel between cities often requires flights due to vast distances.
- Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD). US dollars are sometimes accepted near the border but exchange rates are poor; use cards or local cash.
- Official Languages: English and French. French is the primary language in Québec, but English is widely spoken everywhere else.
- Time Zones: Spans GMT-3.5 (Newfoundland) to GMT-8 (Pacific). Double-check flight times carefully.
- Power Outlets: Type A and B (same as USA), 120V. Visitors from Europe or Asia will need an adapter.
- Tipping Culture: Tipping 15-20% is standard and expected in restaurants, bars, and taxis.
- Winter Travel: If visiting Nov–April, pack heavy winter gear. Flights can be delayed by snowstorms, so keep your declaration receipt offline.
- Cannabis Laws: You can buy cannabis at licensed stores if you are 18/19+ (varies by province), but never cross an international border with it.
- Emergency Number: Dial 911 for police, fire, or ambulance anywhere in Canada.
"Done in five minutes, receipt arrived instantly."
"Used the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN) for my parents flying into Toronto. The express lane saved them at least an hour of standing in line."
"The form was easy but I wasn't sure about the food declaration part. Support clarified it quickly. Got through YVR customs much faster than my last trip."
"Simple process."
"Filled it out while waiting for my connection in Frankfurt. By the time I landed in Montreal, I just scanned my passport and walked through."
"Processing took longer than the site estimated. I got the receipt in time for my flight but I was checking my email constantly for two days. It worked at the kiosk but the wait was stressful."
"Excellent service for a large family group. I entered details for all five of us in one go and the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN) covered everyone. The border officer just checked our passports and waved us through."
"Great experience, saved us so much hassle after a long flight."
"Confirmation email went to my spam folder so I panicked for a minute. Once I found it, everything was fine and the kiosk at Calgary recognized my passport immediately."
"I forgot to do this until the night before my flight. Paid for rush processing and woke up to the approved Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN) in my inbox. Smooth sailing at customs."
"Done in five minutes, receipt arrived instantly."
"Used the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN) for my parents flying into Toronto. The express lane saved them at least an hour of standing in line."
"The form was easy but I wasn't sure about the food declaration part. Support clarified it quickly. Got through YVR customs much faster than my last trip."
Canada Advance CBSA Declaration (ArriveCAN): Frequently Asked Questions
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