Do I need to get a transit visa for a layover at a Canadian airport? [duplicate]

Question

I am a Philippine passport holder and I'm planning to travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines this month. Do I need to get a transit visa during my layover at Toronto and Port of Spain?

Answer 1

You need a Canadian visa (unless you have a US visa and you travel to/from the USA). I assume you are a resident of Philippines. Here are relevant references:

From Timatic:

National Philippines (PH) /Transit Canada (CA) Destination St. Vincent and the Grenadines (VC) ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

Canada (CA)

TWOV (Transit Without Visa): - ONLY IF ALL CONDITIONS BELOW ARE MET-

Visa required, except for Nationals of Philippines holding

confirmed onward tickets transiting For details, click here on the same calendar day, (SEE NOTE 43594) (SEE NOTE 43595) provided: - travelling to/from the USA; and - holding a valid US visa. (SEE NOTE 39687) NOTE 43594: Facility available if transiting through

Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) AND arriving on

aircraft operated by Air Canada or Jazz Air (insertion of

SSR TWOV in PNR is required). Note: codeshare flight numbers of these carriers operated by another carrier are not included. Connecting flight can be with any carrier.

NOTE 43595: Facility available if transiting through

Vancouver (YVR) AND arriving on aircraft operated by Air Canada or Jazz Air (insertion of SSR TWOV in PNR is

required), or Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines or
Philippine Airlines. Note: codeshare flight numbers of these carriers operated by another carrier are not included. Connecting flight can be with any carrier.

NOTE 39687: If holding an expired US visa    For details, click here 

- The YVR In-Transit Pre-Clearance Facility (ITPCF) which handles international passengers travelling to USA, is open

from 04:30-20:30 hours; the YVR facility that processes passengers arriving from USA and continuing internationally,

is open 24 hours. The YYZ ITPCF, which handles international passengers

travelling to USA, is open from 04:30-21:00 hours; the YYZ
facility that processes passengers arriving from USA and continuing internationally, is open 24 hours.

Additional Information:

• Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for their next destination.

Warning: - Visitors not holding return/onward ticket could be refused

entry.

From Air Canada http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/twov-tsv/it-iiv-eng.html :

Nationals from the following countries qualify for the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program:

Indonesia
Thailand
Taiwan (see notice below)
the Philippines

...

All nationals who qualify for the TWOV program must also meet these conditions:

They hold a valid passport issued by an approved country (listed above);
They hold a valid U.S. visa;
They travel to Canada on an approved airline; and
They transit through an approved Canadian airport.

Answer 2

I guess so, since Philippines isn't visa exempt.

http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadatravelplanner/qt/transit_visa_canada.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091024173618AALX0ta