Like all other airlines, Air Canada adheres to the
Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which requires the collection of specific information from every passenger travelling to Canada, as well as to/from the U.S. and certain other countries. This information is required for the purposes of ensuring aviation safety and security.
Save time at check-in! Enter required security information beforehand using our convenient online form*:
Provide your API online
* You may also provide APIS information when completing your Web check-in, mobile check-in or Kiosk check-in at the airport.
Countries for which advance passenger information (API) is required
The following countries require API (Advance Passenger Information) from all airlines carrying passengers into their countries. Please note that this list is subject to change without notice:
- Antigua
- Australia
- Barbados
- Canada
- China
- Costa Rica
|
- Cuba
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Mexico
- Republic of Korea
|
- Saint Lucia
- Trinidad & Tobago
- United Kingdom
- United States
|
How to provide your advance passenger information
- Online Form
Access the online form to enter all your information online before you go to the airport. You won’t be asked to provide the passenger information again when checking in (unless some required information is missing). And you can access the online form as often as you need to update passenger information.
- During Web, Mobile or Kiosk Check-in (at the airport)
You may also provide APIS information when completing your Web check-in, mobile check-in or Kiosk check-in at the airport. Learn more about our check-in options.
- Printable form
If you are a group representative, you can download and print as many copies of the APIS form as you need to collect all required Advance Passenger Information beforehand.
Advance Passenger Information (PDF--50kb)
Advance Passenger Information FAQs
All API data is checked against the U.S. government’s Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS), which is a combined federal law enforcement database. Names are also checked against the FBI National Crime Information Center wanted-persons database.
The U.S. and Canadian authorities are bound by data protection and privacy laws so that the information cannot be forwarded to, or seen by, anyone who does not have appropriate security clearances. It will be used only for its stated intended purpose.
Air Canada (like all other airlines) is required by the various government agencies to collect API for all passengers prior to travel to or from certain countries. Passengers who refuse to supply API will be refused entry to these countries and therefore will not be allowed to travel.
No. You are
not required to provide an address in the U.S. if you are:
- a U.S. citizen,
- a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
- a U.S. resident alien entering the U.S.
U.S. authorities require an address or an indication of where you are staying:
- If you are returning on the same day
Provide the address of a location where you will be spending time during your visit to the U.S. (for example, the address of where a meeting you are attending is being held).
- If you are connecting to another flight departing the U.S.
If your onward flight leaves within 8 hours of your arrival, provide your flight number and destination.
- If you are transferring to a cruise ship
If you are transferring to a cruise ship on the day you arrive in the U.S., you need to provide the name of the cruise ship, cruise line, and your port of embarkation.
- If you are backpacking
Provide an indication of where you will spend your first night.
- If you are renting a car and do not have an address for the first night
Provide the information on where you expect to be staying in as much detail as possible.
- If your accommodation will be allocated on arrival
Provide the information on where you expect to be staying in as much detail as possible.
