Is TSA PreCheck Useful In Canada?

We can all probably agree on one thing: No one likes waiting in long lines at the airport. Airports can be anxiety-inducing places, from stressful luggage checks and the ever-present worry of missing a flight. Luckily, for frequent travelers in the United States, the TSA PreCheck program offers a welcome respite by facilitating expedited security screenings at participating airports. But what about those traveling from or within Canada? Is TSA PreCheck useful in Canada at all, and how can Canadian travelers benefit from this program?

TSA PreCheck is a program managed by the Transportation Security Administration that provides expedited screening for eligible travelers departing from U.S. airports. It's been around since December 2013 and is only getting more popular and developed over the years, with approximately 18 million active members. For a five-year $78 subscription, passengers with TSA PreCheck enjoy shorter lines (with 99% of passengers waiting under 10 minutes), don't need to remove their shoes, belts, or jackets, and are permitted to leave their laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags.

However, TSA PreCheck isn't particularly relevant to travel within Canada. It's a United States-based program, and its benefits only directly apply to flights departing from around 200 American airports. So, for Canadian travelers, the use of TSA PreCheck is limited only to flights departing from U.S. airports. Air Canada recently joined TSA PreCheck as the first non-U.S. airline to offer the program's benefits to its passengers traveling within and from America at around 40 airport locations.

Simply put, TSA PreCheck can be useful for Canadian travelers flying within and from the U.S., whether or not they are passengers with Air Canada. However, because TSA operates in America, the PreCheck program is essentially useless for flights within Canada or from Canada to international destinations other than the United States. Nonetheless, this doesn't mean that Canadian travelers can't benefit from expedited security processes at the airport — other options are available.

NEXUS, a joint initiative between America and Canada, is a program that offers expedited land, air, and sea border crossing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers at $120 for a five-year membership. NEXUS members enjoy benefits similar to TSA PreCheck when flying within the U.S. and also receive expedited processing at Canadian checkpoints. Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are members of the NEXUS program are automatically eligible for the benefits at TSA PreCheck kiosks when flying from U.S. airports.

Several Canadian airports have U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities, which allow travelers to clear customs and immigration before boarding their flight to America. Upon arrival, passengers bypass the usual customs checks to proceed directly to their connecting flights or destinations. Ultimately, travelers can enjoy expedited security screening similar to what they would experience with TSA PreCheck. Canadian airports with preclearance facilities include Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, and Calgary International Airport, among others. Passengers can get preclearance with the Mobile Passport Control app through the App Store or Google Play.

What about those with a Global Entry subscription? Like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival from international destinations to the United States. However, it does not have lanes in Canadian airports, and Canadian citizens are not eligible for the program. Membership in Global Entry includes the same expedited security screening benefits as TSA PreCheck members, but only for arrivals in America by air, land, or sea.

While TSA PreCheck offers numerous benefits, it's important for travelers, whether Canadian or American, to understand its limitations. TSA PreCheck is not directly applicable to domestic flights within Canada or international flights departing from Canada to destinations other than the United States. The primary use for TSA PreCheck for Canadians is for flights departing from U.S. airports or through the NEXUS or Global Entry programs. Moreover, enrollment in TSA PreCheck requires a background check and an in-person process at an enrollment center, many of which are located in the United States. For Canadian travelers, this may involve additional steps compared to enrolling in a Canadian-based program.

To maximize travel convenience, Canadian travelers should most consider enrolling in the NEXUS program. NEXUS membership not only provides expedited processing at Canadian and U.S. borders but also includes TSA PreCheck benefits for flights departing from U.S. airports. Additionally, for those who frequently travel internationally, Global Entry can be an extra complement to NEXUS, offering expedited clearance upon arrival in the United States.