Every individual who requires unescorted access to the restricted area of designated airports or marine ports across Canada must obtain a transportation security clearance.
To apply for a Transportation Security Clearance, you will need to provide:
- basic biographical information,
- fingerprints,
- a photo of your face
- your work, study, activity, and residency history for the last 5 years, and
- permission to run a background check.
Background checks are done by Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (when needed). A background check with the United States Customs and Border Protection is also done if access to a U.S. designated preclearance areas is necessary.
Any information we collect is protected by the Privacy Act.
Service standards
Transport Canada starts processing your application once the complete application is received (including all supporting documents and fingerprints). This may take up to 10 business days following your verification appointment.
After Transport Canada confirms that we’re processing your application, it can take us up to 60 working days to return a decision.
If you’ve lived outside of the country for a long time, or you have a criminal history or have associated with a criminal, it may take more than 60 working days to process your application.