OTTAWA — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has announced that Advance Declaration is now available at Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).

As of Feb. 28, all travellers arriving on international flights at both airports can access the free and secure traveller app, which provides the option to submit customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance of their arrival in Canada. 

Express lanes will also be available in both airports’ customs areas, allowing those who complete their Advance Declaration to skip long lineups for Primary Inspection Kiosks (PIK). Early usage data shows that using the Advance Declaration feature in ArriveCAN cuts the amount of time spent at a PIK or eGate by roughly one third.

The rollout of the app is part of modernization efforts to expedite the travel experience at Canada’s airports. Advance Declaration is already available to travellers arriving on international flights at: Toronto Pearson; Montreal-Trudeau; Winnipeg Richardson; Vancouver; Halifax Stanfield; Québec City Jean-Lesage; and Calgary.

The digital tool will also become available to travellers arriving at Edmonton International Airport in the coming weeks. 

“With Advance Declaration and express lanes now available at Billy Bishop Toronto City and Ottawa International Airports, we are keeping our border secure while providing a better and faster experience for travellers,” said CBSA’s Eric Lapierre, Regional Director General, Northern Ontario Region, and Lisa Janes, Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region.

“This is another example of how the CBSA is modernizing the border and we are happy to be working with Ports Toronto and Ottawa International and Ottawa International Airport Authority to make this option available to travellers,” they added.

For more information about Advance Declaration click here.