Security screening prevents security threats and unlawful interference with Canada's transportation system. Transport Canada’s security screening programs enhance transportation security and border integrity while ensuring only eligible and suitable candidates are granted unescorted access to restricted areas.
On this page
- Types of transportation security clearances
- Types of designated areas
- Which clearance do you need?
- Eligibility and assessment
- Validity
- How to apply
- Need help?
- Contact us
Types of transportation security clearances
There are two (2) types of security clearances:
- Transportation security clearance for aviation or marine
- Access Clearance (AC) for preclearance
Your employment requirements determine your clearance type.
Transportation security clearances for aviation and marine
Aviation
A Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) is required for individuals who require entry to restricted areas of airports and is a pre-requisite to being issued a Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC).
Program overview: Transportation Security Clearance Program - Aviation Security
Marine
A Marine Transportation Security Clearance (MTSC) is required for unescorted access into a restricted area 2 (R2) of marine facilities and ports and is a pre-requisite to being issued an R2 (pass that allows access to restricted area 2).
Program overview: Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program
Access Clearance (AC)
An Access Clearance (AC) is a requirement for any individual who needs unescorted access to a preclearance area of an aviation, marine or rail facility. Anyone who needs unescorted access to a preclearance area of an airport, marine facility, or rail facility needs an Access Clearance.
Program overview:
The screening process considers border security and integrity as we screen employees who will work in areas where U.S. preclearance officers inspect travellers and goods before departure. Transport Canada works with security partners to do background checks, assess the risks that someone could pose to a facility, and decide whether or not to let someone access preclearance areas.
What is preclearance?
Public Safety Canada oversees the framework for Preclearance in Canada and the United States.
Preclearance in Canada refers to an arrangement between Canada and the United States that allows customs and immigration officials from the country of destination to be located in the country of origin in order to clear or deny the admission of travellers or goods to the destination country.
Transport Canada conducts security screening of individuals who work in preclearance areas, granting unescorted access to U.S. preclearance areas at airports and ports for individuals who meet strict security requirements.
Types of designated areas
Restricted areas of transportation facilities are designated by the operator and are managed in accordance with regulatory requirements. This can include areas not accessible to the public like baggage handling areas, and other areas identified in the terminal. Restricted areas can be established at air, marine, and rail transportation facilities and require background checks to determine whether a person is a potential risk to transportation security before they are cleared to work in or access this area.
A restricted area 2 (R2) is an area established at a marine facility that contains central controls for security and surveillance equipment and systems and areas that contain central lighting system controls.
Preclearance areas are areas that allow U.S. customs and immigration officials in Canada to clear or deny travelers and goods that are bound for the United States. Canada and the United States have an agreement that only specific persons will have access to a preclearance area. These areas are designated in accordance with s. 6 of the Preclearance Act, 2016 and Canada’s obligations under the Article III of the Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance (LRMA).
Which clearance do you need?
Your employer must sponsor you as an applicant. Your employment requirements will determine the clearance you require. You may need more than one type of clearance.
If you do not qualify for a clearance, it is the responsibility of your employer to address the next steps.
| Required area access | Clearance needed |
|---|---|
| Restricted area (airport) | Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) |
| Restricted area two (R2) (marine) | Marine Transportation Security Clearance (MTSC) |
| Preclearance area | Access Clearance (AC) |
Eligibility and assessment
Applicants must attest that they have not been charged with or convicted of certain offences. Transport Canada will verify this through background checks.
If an applicant is ineligible, the application will not be processed, and both the applicant and the enrolment site will be notified.
How decisions are made
Transport Canada reviews:
- Your application information
- Your supporting documents
- Background check results
- Confirmation of no disqualifying offences
As part of the background check for Access Clearance (AC), the United States will be consulted and will provide relevant information for consideration. This information will be assessed alongside input from Canadian law enforcement and security partners. The final decision on access to preclearance areas will always be made in Canada by the Government of Canada.
Background checks
Transport Canada works with multiple agencies to verify your information.
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for a criminal record check and law enforcement records check
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) for a security assessment (if needed)
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for an immigration and citizenship status check (if applicable)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection for a U.S. criminal database check (if applicable)
Assessment process
Eligible applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to decide whether you could pose a risk to border security or integrity.
If credible information is received that raises concerns about your clearance, we will review the information to decide if you could pose a risk to border security or integrity.
Decisions are based on evidence, legal advice, your explanations, and everything in your file. We will also consider social or personal factors that could have contributed to your involvement with the criminal justice system.
You may be ineligible to apply if you’ve been convicted or have outstanding charges to serious crimes like murder, aggravated assault, smuggling drugs, weapons, or crimes against national security (like terrorism or espionage), or major theft and fraud. Depending on the offence, you may not be able to get a clearance for 5 or 10 years.
If you have a record suspension for an offence, we will not automatically disqualify you. But we will review any other offences you have, and they may affect our decision.
List of offences
- Offences – Ineligibility for 5-years (see Schedule I in SOR/2026-25)
- Offences – Ineligibility for 10-years (see Schedule II in SOR/2026-25)
What makes a file complex?
Your application is complex if you have:
- Spent more than six months outside Canada/U.S. in the last 5 years. (See the Guidelines for Applications with Extended Out-of-Country Implications)
- Adverse information is received from security partners (e.g., criminal convictions).
Reconsideration
Any applicant whose transportation security clearance or access clearance has been refused, cancelled or revoked may request judicial review in the Federal Court of Canada within thirty (30) days of receiving notice.
Any Marine Transportation Security Clearance applicant or holder also has the Office of Reconsideration available to them to review the decision on their case, should they choose.
Validity
A transportation security clearance and access clearance are valid for up to 5 years. If you hold both, they will expire at the same time.
How to apply
IMPORTANT: The clearance application process must be initiated by the employer. Only individuals who require access to a restricted area or designated preclearance area to perform the functions of their employment can apply for a clearance.
How to apply for a security clearance
Need help?
Need help to complete your application
Contact your employer.
You did not receive your account initiation email/application
Check with your employer to ensure that they have created your account and that your email address has been entered correctly.
Need help accessing your TSS account
Email: TSCModernization-ModernisationHST@tc.gc.ca.
For application status – log into your TSS account and read your notifications or contact your enrolment office
General questions – contact your enrolment office.
Contact us
Email: TC.SecurityScreeningPrograms-Programmesfiltragesecurite.TC@tc.gc.ca
Mailing address:
Security Screening Programs
Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tower C, Mailstop: ABPB
1531 - 330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5