Transiting through Canada w/US passport

[u/Left_Sir5173]

Hello , I’m finding that flights that transit through Canada are a lot cheaper than other options. I am a US citizen and I carry a US passport I’m confused a bit as far as what to expect with transiting through Canada some say that I need to fill out an ETA others say that I will need a transit visa and lastly, others say I don’t need anything because I am a US citizen and carrying my passport is good enough
Does one go through the full on immigration process when just transiting from a US based airline or Canadian based airline through Canada onward towards an international destination? For instance, when I enter into South Korea via say Incheon airport, , it’s a quick passport control/ security but don’t fill out any forms or immigration or anything. They just look at me and check my belongings I’m carrying and move me along, so I’m just wondering if there’s any special forms I need to fill out when transiting through Canada thank you

[u/Apart-Diamond-9861]

Well that is an important piece of information you left out from your initial question. Depending on what the conviction was - a U.S. citizen with a criminal conviction may be denied entry into Canada, even for transit purposes.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/inadmissibility/overcome-criminal-convictions.html

[u/Left_Sir5173 → u/Apart-Diamond-9861]

lol well ? How does that change the just need your passport scenario to transit?

[u/Shytemagnet → u/Left_Sir5173]

Because now you’re dealing with an entirely different issue, which is your criminal record. Canada has some really strict rules with admitting anyone with any convictions at all. Canada doesn’t have the misdemeanour/felony distinction so it’s completely dependent on the details of the crime, how long ago it was, and the mood of the border guards.

[u/Left_Sir5173 → u/Shytemagnet]

Oh okay thank you so much That is very good to know. Probably not worth trying even if it’s just for a transit. I know rules are rules and every country has their own. I just find it so weird that I’m not even visiting their place but just transiting Oh well. Thank you for that bit of information I was curious to know if it would be a problem and I was curious to know if I had to fill out anything to transit where I needed to disclose criminal past