Good to know
- The Advance CBSA Declaration is an optional feature inside the ArriveCAN app and website. It lets you answer customs and immigration questions before you land.
- You can submit up to 72 hours before arrival. Using it can mean less time at the primary inspection kiosk or eGate.
- It is available at certain international airports only. Check the Canada Border Services Agency list of taking-part airports before you rely on it.
- If something changes, you can edit and update your declaration before you certify it at the border.
- ArriveCAN does not replace a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Check the Government of Canada website to see whether you need one.
How to submit
- Open the official site from the button on this page, not from a search ad.
- Keep your passport, flight details and accommodation address ready.
- Fill in the form during the allowed window.
- Save the confirmation or QR code as a screenshot, and print it if you can.
- Show the confirmation at check-in or immigration if you are asked.
Never pay to submit an arrival card
The official forms listed here are free. Sites that charge a fee to fill in the form for you are not the official portal. We never ask for your passport details and we never submit forms for you.
Common mistakes
- Paying a third-party site. The official form is free.
- Submitting outside the allowed window, which can cause the form to be rejected.
- Typing details that do not match your passport exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canada ArriveCAN Advance Declaration free?
Yes, on the official site it is free. If a website asks you to pay, it is not the official portal.
When should I submit the ArriveCAN Advance Declaration?
Optional: up to 72 hours before arrival. Confirm the exact window on the official site, because it can change.
Do I need it if I do not need a visa?
An arrival card is a separate requirement from a visa, so not needing a visa does not by itself remove it. The rule for this country: Optional for air travellers arriving at taking-part Canadian international airports. It is not needed to enter Canada.
Is ArriveCAN required to enter Canada?
No. The Advance CBSA Declaration is optional. If you skip it, you make your customs and immigration declaration at the airport instead.
Where this comes from
The rules on this page come from the official portal linked above and from government notices or news reports about it. We cannot always open every official site, so confirm timing and exemptions there before you travel. If you find an error, please write to us.