ArriveCAN for Tight Connections: How I Used Canada's App At Toronto Pearson
How ArriveCAN worked on a tight international to domestic connection at Toronto Pearson, and what to do before you fly to save time.
When I booked my Porter Airlines flight from Miami to Vancouver with a connection through Toronto Pearson, I knew timing would be everything.
International arrivals, customs, immigration, and a domestic connection, all within a tight window. That's when ArriveCAN proved its worth, turning what could have been a stressful rush into a surprisingly smooth experience.
Read the official Canadian guidance here
Why ArriveCAN Matters for Connecting Passengers
Here's what nobody tells you about Toronto Pearson: it's not just about getting through customs faster. When you're connecting to a domestic flight, every minute counts, and ArriveCAN gives you three crucial advantages that can make or break your connection.
- Express Lane Access - The ArriveCAN express lanes at YYZ are real dedicated queues that can save 15-20 minutes during busy periods. When your connection is tight, that's the difference between making your flight and watching it taxi away.
- Streamlined Immigration Processing - With your information pre-submitted up to 72 hours before arrival, immigration officers spend less time asking questions and more time stamping your passport. I've experienced this difference firsthand.
- Reduced Secondary Inspection Risk - Complete, accurate pre-submission through ArriveCAN reduces the likelihood of being pulled aside for additional questioning, critical when you're watching departure boards anxiously.
My Porter Airlines Connection Experience
Flying Porter Airlines from Miami to Vancouver via Toronto, I had exactly 20 minutes between my international arrival and domestic departure due to a delay on our incoming flight. In airport connection terms, that's not just cutting it close, it's crazy!
- The Setup - Three days before departure, I completed my ArriveCAN submission from onboard my cruise ship heading into PortMiami. The process took about 8 minutes, including uploading my passport photo using the app's camera feature. I received my confirmation receipt immediately.
- Arrival at YYZ - Landing at Toronto Pearson, I followed the ArriveCAN express lane signs. While the regular immigration queues can be very long at Pearson, the ArriveCAN lane had maybe 5 people ahead of me. The immigration officer scanned my ArriveCAN receipt, asked two standard questions about my visit purpose, and I was through in under 3 minutes.
- The Connection Rush - From aircraft door to connecting departure gate: 25 minutes total. I was last to board my flight with Porter onwards to Vancouver.
Without ArriveCAN's express processing, I estimate this would have taken 50-60 minutes minimum, potentially missing my Vancouver flight.
FAQs about ArriveCAN
No, as of 2025 ArriveCAN is optional but highly recommended. However, if you're connecting through Toronto with limited time, I consider it essential.
Yes, Irish and UK citizens still need a valid eTA before boarding flights to Canada. ArriveCAN and eTA serve different purposes and both are required.
Yes, you can add family members or travel companions to your submission if you're traveling together and staying at the same location.
You can update your submission up until you arrive in Canada. Keep your confirmation receipt - it remains valid even with minor changes.
ArriveCAN works at all major Canadian international airports, including Vancouver (YVR), Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), and Calgary (YYC).
You'll join the regular immigration queues and complete a paper customs declaration. It's not wrong, just potentially slower during busy periods.
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