Every individual who requires unescorted access to the restricted area of designated airports or marine ports across Canada must obtain a transportation security clearance (TSC).
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 RCMP, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (when needed). A background check with the United States (U.S) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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
Once we receive a completed application (including all supporting documents and fingerprints), it may take up to 10 business days for Transport Canada to start processing your application.
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.