New visa rules for nationals of select Asian countries and China transiting Canada

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Canadian government authorities have awarded Air China with the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and China Transit Trial (CTT) status effective February 1, 2012. Under this program, Chinese citizens with valid U.S. visas who are directly transiting through Vancouver (YVR) on their way to and from the United States are no longer required to obtain a Canadian Temporary Residence Visa. Only five international airlines serving Canada have received such status, and nationals of certain Asian countries have enjoyed this privilege since the second half of 2009.

Air China customers must hold a confirmed onward ticket to and from the USA within the same day of arrival and within the scheduled hours of the US-Intransit Pre-Clearance Facility (USITPC) at Vancouver International Airport.

“Being the first and only mainland Chinese carrier to be invited by the Canadian authorities to join the Transit Without Visa and China Transit Trial program is a distinct honor for Air China, our management team in China and Canada. The US-Intransit Pre-Clearance facility at Vancouver International Airport provides seamless convenient connections, including pre-clearance by US Customs and Immigration. More importantly, the ability to transport our Chinese customers via the Vancouver Asia Pacific gateway to their final destination in the United States will help us continue to expand our flight from Beijing to Vancouver” Mr. Zhigang He, General Manager for Air China in Canada, commented.