In June 2023, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) rolled out Verified Tourist, which is a program that assists in expedited airport security screening for qualified travelers at select Canadian airports.
Verified Tourist is a revamped variation of the now-defunct Trusted Visitor Program, and in lots of ways, it’s similar to the TSA Pre-Check program offered in the United States.
If you’re qualified for Verified Tourist, you’ll enjoy a streamlined security experience at airports throughout Canada. Here’s whatever you need to learn about it.
What Is the Verified Tourist Program?
The Verified Tourist program uses qualified travelers a structured airport security screening experience at select Canadian airports.
At major airports, you’ll have a separate security lane, and you’ll have the ability to leave some products in your carry-on bag through security, while at smaller sized airports, you’ll simply receive front-of-the-line access at security.
Verified Travellers are those who suit among the following categories: Members of NEXUS and Worldwide Entry Active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and United States military, including reservists, with legitimate ID
Remember that lots of Canadian charge card offer complete or partial NEXUS application fee refunds. For that reason, if your occupation doesn’t manage you Verified Traveller benefits, the next finest solution is to make an application for a NEXUS card, which could even be totally free with the following charge card.
CIBC Credit Cards with NEXUS Rebates
As you might have seen, anybody who is eligible for the Verified Visitor program has actually undergone extensive background checks and/or security clearances, either by way of their profession or through NEXUS.
At major airports, passengers who are eligible for Verified Traveller will enjoy an expedited security experience, described as follows:
- Access to a different security lane
- Leaving allowed liquids, aerosols, and gels in your carry-on bag
- Leaving laptops and electronics in your carry-on bag (other than for transborder flights)
- Keeping shoes, belts, light jackets, and headwear on
- Keeping little, non-metal products (e.g. wallets) in your pockets
Remember, nevertheless, that you’ll still be subject to the exact same security measures as everybody else– your carry-on bag needs to still be scanned, and you’ll need to travel through a metal detector.
Moreover, you’ll still go through the very same 100-mL limit for liquids, aerosols, and gels as everybody else.
Furthermore, the hours during which Verified Visitor lanes are available at some airports may be limited. Be sure to examine the Verified Tourist site for updated information.
Validated Tourist Front-of-the-Line Access
A “lite” version of the Verified Traveller program is the “Front-of-the-Line” service, which is readily available at smaller airports throughout Canada.
With Front-of-the-Line service, Verified Travellers get to skip the queue at security, thus receiving an expedited security experience. Nevertheless, you’ll still go through routine screening checks, which suggests you’ll need to take your liquids, aerosols, and gels, along with large electronic devices, out of your carry-on bags.
If you’re eligible for the Front-of-the-Line service, any co-traveller has the ability to join you, no matter age.
How to Use Verified Tourist Lanes
At significant Canadian airports, watch out for the Verified Traveller logo at security checkpoints.
Security agents at Verified Traveller lanes will check your credentials and boarding pass at the entry point.
For domestic and worldwide flights, co-travellers 17 years or more youthful, as well as 75 years and older, may accompany anyone who is qualified for Verified Traveller gain access to. For transborder flights, any co-traveller might accompany you, no matter age.
You’ll then get in a separate queue, which leads right into the security screening area. Once again, as a Verified Visitor, you may:
- Leave permitted liquids, aerosols, and gels in your carry-on bag
- Leave laptops and electronic devices in your carry-on (except for transborder flights)
- Keep shoes, belts, light coats, and headwear on
- Keep small, non-metal products, such as a wallet, in your pockets
It deserves keeping in mind that you might be arbitrarily picked for extra screening or diverted to a routine security line, as part of CATSAs standard operating procedures. Additionally, anybody wearing headwear, including spiritual or cultural head coverings, might be asked to eliminate it if an alarm can’t be fixed throughout screening.
Conclusion
In Canada, choose guests are qualified for the Verified Tourist program, which offers an expedited security experience.
In significant airports, you’ll have access to a separate line, and depending upon your destination, you may leave numerous items in your carry-on bag, and keep non-metal products on your person.
At smaller sized airports, you’ll just get front-of-the-line gain access to, which could conserve time during peak travel periods.
Luckily, access to Verified Tourist is consisted of with NEXUS subscription, so make sure to bring your card with you to take pleasure in a streamlined security experience.