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Where does immigration and baggage handling happen on a connecting flight into Canada?

Canada • Express Entry • immigration 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Step-by-Step

When landing in Canada with two separate itineraries (e.g., an international leg on one PNR and then a domestic leg on another, such as Toronto to Calgary), there are two practical things to plan around: where immigration happens, and how your luggage is handled.

What group members advised:
  1. Immigration/landing happens at your first point of entry into Canada. Even if Calgary is your final destination, you'll clear immigration (and land as a PR, if applicable) at the first Canadian airport you arrive at — in this case, Toronto — not at your final domestic stop.

  2. Expect a separate baggage process for the domestic leg. Because the two flights are on different PNRs and not connected as a single itinerary, you'll need to collect your luggage after clearing immigration in Toronto and then re-check it for the domestic flight to Calgary, which is treated as its own separate booking with its own baggage allowance (in this case, only one check-in and one cabin bag).


Plan extra time at your first port of entry for immigration processing plus baggage reclaim and re-check, and check your domestic flight's baggage allowance separately since it may be more restrictive than your international ticket.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: Budget extra time at your first Canadian airport for immigration processing plus collecting and re-checking your luggage before a separate domestic flight.
  • Do: Check the baggage allowance on your domestic leg separately, since it can be more limited than your international ticket.

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