Travellers flying into Canada can complete part of the customs and immigration process before the plane lands.
The feature is called Advance CBSA Declaration.
Built into ArriveCAN, it allows eligible travellers to submit their customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada. The main benefit is less time at the airport kiosk or eGate after landing.
What is Advance CBSA Declaration?
Advance CBSA Declaration is an optional ArriveCAN feature that allows air travellers to prepare their customs and immigration declaration before arriving in Canada.
Instead of completing the full declaration only after landing, the questions can be answered in advance and then reviewed, confirmed, or updated at the airport kiosk or eGate.
It does not eliminate the arrival process entirely, but it can make it faster and more efficient.
Does Advance CBSA Declaration save time?
CBSA states that travellers who use Advance Declaration may have access to express lanes at participating airports and can complete the kiosk or eGate process faster on arrival. In practice, that means less typing and less time at the machine after landing.
It does not bypass the border process, but it can reduce one of the slower parts of arriving in Canada. These express lanes can save you plenty of time compared to waiting in the general queue.
Is this mandatory?
No. Advance CBSA Declaration is entirely optional.
Travellers can still arrive in Canada and complete the declaration the standard way at the airport kiosk or eGate.
Eligibility
Advance CBSA Declaration is available to travellers flying into a participating Canadian airport as their first point of arrival in Canada.
Identity must be confirmed using one of:
- a passport
- a Canadian permanent resident card
Other travel documents are not supported. Being eligible to enter Canada does not automatically mean Advance Declaration is available — the document requirement is separate.
Participating airports
As of early 2026, Advance CBSA Declaration is available for eligible arrivals at:
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Terminals 1 and 3
- Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
- Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
- Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
The relevant factor is the first point of arrival in Canada. If an itinerary enters Canada at a non-participating airport first, the feature may not apply.
How to use Advance CBSA Declaration
1) Download ArriveCAN or use the web version
Either the ArriveCAN mobile app or the online web version works. The web version avoids an additional app install; the mobile app is more convenient for frequent travellers.
2) Create an account
An ArriveCAN account is required, set up with an email address and password.
Once created, traveller profiles can be saved to streamline future trips.
3) Add traveller information
A passport or Canadian permanent resident card is required.
ArriveCAN supports scanning the document or entering details manually. The document used in ArriveCAN should match the one presented on arrival in Canada.
4) Complete the declaration up to 72 hours before arrival
Once the trip is set up, the customs and immigration questions should be answered truthfully and the declaration submitted before the flight lands in Canada.
A confirmation and reference number are sent by email after submission.
5) Complete the process at the airport
Advance Declaration does not replace the airport kiosk or eGate entirely. After landing, the following steps still apply:
- scan the travel document at the kiosk or eGate
- review and edit the declaration if needed
- submit the final declaration
- present the receipt to a border services officer if required
The feature pre-fills part of the arrival process rather than bypassing it.
What if plans change?
Declarations can be updated at the airport kiosk or eGate after landing.
One timing rule applies: if a declaration is not confirmed at a kiosk or eGate within 72 hours of submission, it expires and a new one must be submitted. This is relevant if a flight is heavily delayed, cancelled, or rescheduled.
Advance Declaration and NEXUS
CBSA currently states that Advance Declaration cannot be used with NEXUS kiosks. Travellers relying on NEXUS for the arrival process should note that these are separate workflows. If you have NEXUS, you're better off just using the NEXUS route.
When Advance Declaration is most useful
The time savings are most noticeable when arriving at busy airports like YVR, YYZ, or YUL, or when travelling as a family or group. ArriveCAN allows information for up to 8 travellers in one submission.
The feature is less relevant when arriving at a non-participating airport, using an unsupported travel document, or relying on a NEXUS kiosk. It also only covers the declaration step — it does not guarantee a shorter line or exemption from additional screening.
Common mistakes
- Assuming it replaces customs entirely — a kiosk or eGate stop is still required after landing
- Submitting too early — declarations must be submitted within 72 hours of arrival
- Using an unsupported document — only passports and Canadian permanent resident cards are accepted
- Overlooking first point of arrival — the feature is tied to the first Canadian arrival airport, not the final destination
- Expecting NEXUS kiosk compatibility — Advance Declaration does not currently work with NEXUS kiosks
Summary
Advance CBSA Declaration is a free, optional ArriveCAN feature that can shorten the customs and immigration process at participating Canadian airports. It does not eliminate the border process, but it pre-fills the declaration step and may provide access to express lanes.
The process is straightforward: set up ArriveCAN, submit the declaration within 72 hours of arrival, and complete the remaining steps at the kiosk or eGate after landing.
For travellers regularly arriving through major airports like Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, or Calgary, this is one of the simplest ways to reduce time at the border.
