New visa rules for Asians taking Air China flights via Canada

Air China recently disclosed that the Canadian government has awarded it ‘Transit Without Visa’ (TWOV) and China Transit Trial (CTT) status, which has come into effect starting February 1, 2012.

The airline in a statement said that Chinese citizens taking Air China flights with valid U.S. visas directly transiting through Vancouver on their way to or from the United States will no longer be required to obtain a Canadian Temporary Residence Visa under this program.

This facility is available for passengers holding confirmed onward Air China tickets to and from the USA within the same day of arrival and within the scheduled hours of the US-Intransit Pre-Clearance Facility at Vancouver International Airport.

Zhigang He, General Manager for Air China in Canada, said that it is indeed a distinct honor for Air China, being the first and only mainland Chinese carrier, to be invited by the Canadian authorities to join the Transit Without Visa and China Transit Trial program.

He also said that this facility will help Air China to further expand its flights from Beijing to Vancouver. He further added that the US-Intransit Pre-Clearance facility at Vancouver International Airport will be providing seamless convenient connections, including pre-clearance by US Customs and Immigration.