Verified Traveller: Enjoy Expedited Security at Canadian Airports

In June 2023, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) rolled out Verified Traveller, which is a program that facilitates expedited airport security screening for eligible passengers at select Canadian airports.

Verified Traveller is a revamped version of the now-defunct Trusted Traveller Program, and in many ways, it’s similar to the TSA Pre-Check program offered in the United States.

If you’re eligible for Verified Traveller, you’ll enjoy a streamlined security experience at airports throughout Canada. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What Is the Verified Traveller Program?

The Verified Traveller program offers eligible passengers a streamlined airport security screening experience at select Canadian airports.

At major airports, you’ll have a separate security lane, and you’ll be able to leave some items in your carry-on bag through security, while at smaller airports, you’ll just receive front-of-the-line access at security.

Verified Travellers are those who fit into one of the following categories:

• Members of NEXUS and Global Entry
• Active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and US military, including reservists, with valid ID
• Canadian aircrew and airport workers with Restricted Area Identification Cards
• International aircrew (in uniform) with valid airline ID
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers, Canadian police officers, and constables with a badge and proper photo identification issued by their respective organizations

Keep in mind that many Canadian credit cards offer full or partial NEXUS application fee rebates. Therefore, if your occupation doesn’t afford you Verified Traveller privileges, the next best solution is to apply for a NEXUS card, which could even be free with the following credit cards.

As you may have noticed, anyone who is eligible for the Verified Traveller program has undergone thorough background checks and/or security clearances, either by way of their occupation or through NEXUS.

At major airports, passengers who are eligible for Verified Traveller will enjoy an expedited security experience, outlined as follows:

• Access to a separate security lane
• Leaving permitted liquids, aerosols, and gels in your carry-on bag
• Leaving laptops and electronics in your carry-on bag (except for transborder flights)
• Keeping shoes, belts, light jackets, and headwear on
• Keeping small, non-metal items (e.g. wallets) in your pockets

Bear in mind, however, that you’ll still be subject to the same security measures as everybody else – your carry-on bag must still be scanned, and you’ll need to pass through a metal detector.

Moreover, you’ll still be subject to the same 100-mL limit for liquids, aerosols, and gels as everybody else.

At smaller airports, Verified Travellers simply receive front-of-the-line access at security checkpoints, which we’ll outline in detail below.

For domestic and international flights, the full Verified Traveller program is available at the following Canadian airports:

• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Winnipeg (YWG)

For transborder flights, the Verified Traveller program is only available at the following airports:

• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Note that since the program requires specialized equipment, Verified Traveller lanes aren’t available at each security checkpoint, and not all NEXUS lanes are Verified Traveller lanes. You can visit the Verified Traveller website for implementation updates.

Furthermore, the hours during which Verified Traveller lanes are available at some airports may be limited. Be sure to check the Verified Traveller website for up-to-date information.

Verified Traveller Front-of-the-Line Access

A “lite” version of the Verified Traveller program is the “Front-of-the-Line” service, which is available at smaller airports across Canada.

With Front-of-the-Line service, Verified Travellers get to skip the queue at security, thereby receiving an expedited security experience. However, you’ll still be subject to regular screening checks, which means you’ll have to take your liquids, aerosols, and gels, as well as large electronics, out of your carry-on bags.

Currently, the Verified Traveller Front-of-the-Line service is available at select security checkpoints at the following airports:

• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ): domestic & transborder flights
• Calgary International Airport (YYC): transborder flights
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG): transborder flights
• Greater Moncton Roméo Leblanc International Airport (YQM): domestic, transborder, & international flights
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ): domestic & international flights
• Kelowna (YLW): domestic, transborder, & international flights
• Ottawa International Airport (YOW): domestic & international flights
• Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB): domestic, transborder, & international flights
• Regina International Airport (YQR): domestic, transborder, & international flights
• Saskatoon International Airport (YXE): domestic, transborder, & international flights
• St. John’s International Airport (YYT): domestic, transborder, & international flights
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): T1 & T3 international flights
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR): domestic & international flights
• Victoria International Airport (YYJ): domestic, transborder, & international flights
• Winnipeg (YWG): transborder flights

If you’re eligible for the Front-of-the-Line service, any co-traveller is able to join you, regardless of age.

How to Use Verified Traveller Lanes

At major Canadian airports, keep an eye 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 international flights, co-travellers 17 years or younger, as well as 75 years and older, may accompany anyone who is eligible for Verified Traveller access. For transborder flights, any co-traveller may accompany you, regardless of age.

You’ll then enter a separate queue, which leads right into the security screening area. Again, as a Verified Traveller, you may:

• Leave permitted liquids, aerosols, and gels in your carry-on bag
• Leave laptops and electronics in your carry-on (except for transborder flights)
• Keep shoes, belts, light jackets, and headwear on
• Keep small, non-metal items, such as a wallet, in your pockets

It’s worth noting that you may be randomly selected for additional screening or diverted to a regular security queue, as part of CATSAs standard operating procedures. Furthermore, anyone wearing headwear, including religious or cultural head coverings, may be asked to remove it if an alarm can’t be resolved during screening.

Conclusion

In Canada, select passengers are eligible for the Verified Traveller program, which offers an expedited security experience.

In major airports, you’ll have access to a separate line, and depending on your destination, you may leave many items in your carry-on bag, and keep non-metal items on your person.

At smaller airports, you’ll simply receive front-of-the-line access, which could save time during peak travel periods.

Fortunately, access to Verified Traveller is included with NEXUS membership, so be sure to bring your card with you to enjoy a streamlined security experience.