Canada Aviation Permits
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Civil Aviation Authority
- Name: Transport Canada
- Website: https://tc.canada.ca
- Contact: +1 613-993-7284 (Transport Canada) / 1-888-226-7277 (CANPASS Telephone Reporting Centre)
Estimated Processing Time
Requirements by Operation Type
No permits for private flights. CANPASS or eDeclaration required for customs clearance.
No overflight permit. Charter flights need advance CANPASS/eDeclaration submission. CBSA notification required.
Covered by bilateral agreements. No separate permit needed.
Overflight Permit
- Required: No
- Authority: Transport Canada / NAV CANADA
- Lead Time: N/A
- Validity: N/A
- Fees: NAV CANADA en-route charges apply to IFR flights
No overflight permit required for any operation type. Experimental or non-ICAO-compliant aircraft may require a validated special flight permit from Transport Canada Foreign Inspection Division. As of Nov 25, 2025, Canadian GA aircraft need dual-frequency ELT (121.5 + 406 MHz); foreign GA aircraft may carry a PLB as alternative.
1. File an ICAO flight plan with NAV CANADA 2. No additional overflight permit application required 3. Ensure RVSM compliance for FL290+ 4. As of Nov 2025: ELT must transmit 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz (foreign GA may use PLB alternative)
Landing Permit
- Required: Conditional
- Authority: Transport Canada / CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency)
- Lead Time: 2-4 weeks (Non-Scheduled International Licence for charter); 2-48 hours advance for CANPASS reporting
- Validity: Per schedule (charter licence); CANPASS membership ongoing
- Fees: NAV CANADA terminal and en-route charges; airport-specific landing/parking fees
Private non-revenue: no landing permit required. Commercial charter: requires a Canadian Non-Scheduled International Licence (allow 2-4 weeks processing). CANPASS Private Aircraft and Corporate Aircraft programs available for pre-approved US/Canadian citizens -- all persons aboard must be CANPASS members, max 15 people including crew. CANPASS members call TRC 2-48h before ETA.
1. For private non-revenue: file ICAO flight plan with NAV CANADA; no permit needed 2. For charter: apply for Non-Scheduled International Licence via Transport Canada (allow 2-4 weeks) 3. For CANPASS-eligible operators (US/Canadian citizens, max 15 people): enroll at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/menu-eng.html 4. CANPASS reporting: call 1-888-CANPASS (1-888-226-7277) 2-48 hours before ETA 5. Non-CANPASS: file customs declaration via CBSA; report to a designated Airport of Entry 6. Land at an AOE for customs/immigration clearance 7. For more info: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/general-operating-flight-rules/flying-canada-what-you-need-know-tp-15048
Cabotage
No (strictly enforced under Canada Transportation Act; foreign carriers cannot transport passengers/cargo between Canadian points)
General Remarks
CANPASS program streamlines US-Canada entries for pre-approved travelers. US-registered aircraft enjoy simplified procedures. NAV CANADA fees billed directly. ELT rule change effective Nov 25, 2025.