Sterile transit through Vancouver Intl (YVR)

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ausflying

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Hi there,

I am currently finding it very difficult to get a straight answer on the following and was hoping that someone out there has a definite answer.

My partner and I are flying from Sydney (Australia) to Mexico City, connecting in Vancouver airport with Air Canada.

My partner has a minor conviction that would prevent her from entering Canada.

Does Vancouver airport now have a 'sterile' transit area in Terminal 3 that means we won't have to clear customs & immigration? We will have our bags checked through to Mexico and have boarding passes for both legs.

Or, will we have to go through full passport control where we risk being turned around?

Thanks in advance.
 
Ok, I've just spent the last 10min researching this. As you've not suggested or specified the nature of the conviction, any advice I give about convictions will require your friend to review this in the context of his personal circumstances.

The short answer: your friend will need to apply a transit visa.

Firstly, these are the official instructions from YVR for connecting pax arriving international on AC, departing international on AC:

  1. [h=2]Arrive at YVR
    [/h]
    • Most passengers will have their luggage checked-through to their final destination, so you will not claim your checked-bags at YVR.
    • Please ensure you have a boarding pass and baggage claim tags for your connecting flight. if you do not, contact your airline for instructions, you may have to check-in again.
  2. [h=2]Proceed to Canada Border Services[/h]
    • Follow signs to International Connections.
      international_connections.sflb.ashx


    • For passport inspection, wait in designated areas for next available Canada Border Services officer.
    • See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
  3. [h=2]Find Your Gate[/h]
    • Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the information display screens.

This, and reviewing the airport map suggests there is no sterile transit area that can be used without encountering Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers.

Secondly, as your friend has a criminal conviction - he does not meet the requirements for entry and is excluded from Visa-free travel afforded to Australians.

As a consequence, he will need to complete Form IMM 5257, as well as 5257 Schedule 1 and submit it to The High Commission of Canada in Sydney for approval. Contact numbers and email/online contacts for the High Commission are available here, and you can also find information on how to submit the application at this location on their website.

What could I be denied entry to Canada for?

The following are reasons CBSA might deny entry to Canada:

  • security
  • human or international rights violations
  • criminality
  • organized criminality
  • health grounds
  • financial reasons
  • misrepresentation
  • non-compliance with IRPA or
  • having an inadmissible family member

A detailed, explained list of these reasons are available from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.

IF his criminal conviction is on the aforementioned list AND he cannot satisfy CIC that he has either commenced or completed rehabilitation, pardoned or discharged, or has extenuating circumstances THEN he may be denied entry.

Information on how to overcome criminal convictions is available on the CIC website.
 
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