Minor children travelling to Canada

Children under the age of 18 are considered minors in Canada. They must follow the same rules to enter Canada as any other visitor.

Minors who try to enter Canada without the proper documents, or who are with adults other than their parents or legal guardian(s), will be checked more closely.

Border services officers are on alert for children who need protection and check very carefully for missing or runaway children. They may question you about children who come with you to Canada or question a child who travels alone. Make sure you have the proper documents with you.

If a minor child is travelling alone

The child should present

• their own passport
  • A parent’s passport, even if the child’s details are included in it, cannot be used.
• a copy of their birth certificate, and
• a letter of authorization, in English or French if possible, which is signed by both parents or by their legal guardian and includes
  • the parents’ (or legal guardian’s) address and telephone number, and
  • the name, address and telephone number of the adult who will look after the child in Canada

If your child is travelling alone, contact the airline in advance to ask if someone from the airline will escort and supervise your child from check-in through arrival, and if there are any restrictions such as age limits.

Ensure that the person who brings your child to the airport stays at the airport until the flight has departed and that the person who is picking up your child at the point of arrival has appropriate identification and authorization.

A child who travels alone or without 1 of their parents or guardians should have a consent letter signed by the parents or guardians who are not accompanying the child.

If a minor child is travelling with one parent only

The parent should present

• the child’s passport
• a copy of the child’s birth certificate, and
• a letter of authorization, in English or French if possible, which is signed by the parent who is not travelling with them and includes
  • the address and telephone number of the parent who is not travelling, and
  • a photocopy of that parent’s signed passport or national identity card

If a minor child is travelling with a legal guardian or adoptive parents

The child should have a copy of the guardianship papers or the adoption papers (whichever one applies).

If a minor child is travelling with a person other than their parents or legal guardian

The adult who is not the parent or legal guardian of the child should have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the child. The permission letter should include addresses and telephone numbers where the parents or legal guardian can be reached.

The letter does not need to be certified. A photocopy of the parents’ or legal guardian’s signed passports or national identity cards should be attached to the letter.

Note: The border services officer may not ask to see these documents when the child enters Canada. However, it is strongly recommended you bring them, in case that you are. The minor child will not be admitted to Canada if the officer is not convinced that the parents or legal guardian have authorized their stay.

Travelling with children under 2 years old

For the safety of both adults and children, the Canadian Aviation Regulations require that no passenger can be responsible for more than 1 infant (child under the age of 2).

If you are travelling with children under the age of 2, a passenger must accompany each of your children, even if you buy seats for them.

Child restraint systems

Although children under 2 years old may be held in your arms during a flight, Transport Canada highly recommends that you use an approved child restraint system (car seat) for all legs of the flight. Car seats are designed to different standards than aircraft seats, so they may work differently and fit differently in planes. Any car seat intended for use on board an aircraft must have a statement of compliance label that shows it meets the applicable design standard and the date it was made.

The use of a car seat provides the best protection for the infant or child and minimizes the effects of unanticipated turbulence. Using a familiar car seat will make your child more comfortable, and you can also use it when you reach your destination. 

If you decide to use a car seat, always:

• check with your airline for its specific policies
• follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions
• tighten the aircraft seat belt through the correct path on the car seat
• secure straps out of the way since tether straps cannot be used on board the aircraft

The following devices are not approved for use as child restraint systems on an aircraft:

• Booster seats (for older children who have outgrown their car seat)
  • Not approved for use as child restraint systems on an aircraft, as they are designed to be used with a car lap and shoulder belt
• Child vests and harnesses, infant carriers and other similar carriers
  • Not approved for use as child restraint systems on an aircraft, as they may not be used when the aircraft is moving on the ground, during takeoff and landing or when the safety belt sign is on
• "Belly" or "loop" belts, which are intended for infant use and are attached to an adult’s safety belt by feeding the adult’s belt segments through a loop on the infant’s belt
  • Not approved for use as child restraint systems on an aircraft, as they could injure the infant in case of an accident