Canada Arrival Card: Online Application & Entry Guide for Australians

Flying to Canada from Australia? Before you board you'll need an eTA, and before you reach the border officer you'll need a customs and immigration declaration — the Canada Arrival Card. This guide covers how the online application works, when to submit it, and how to clear the airport in minutes.

What Is the Canada Arrival Card?

The Canada arrival card is an official declaration form required for travelers entering Canada.

It provides key information to border authorities, including:

• Personal identity and passport information
• Travel information and purpose of visit
• Goods and items being brought into the country

This process is managed by the Canada Border Services Agency to ensure safety, compliance, and efficient border control.

Canada Arrival Card Online (Digital Submission)

The Canada arrival card online system allows travelers to submit their details electronically before arriving in Canada.

The main platform used is ArriveCAN, which simplifies the traditional paper-based process.

✅ Benefits of Completing It Online:

We highly recommend submitting your Canada arrival card online before you depart to avoid long lines when you arrive.

Canada Pre-Arrival Declaration Card Explained

The Canada pre-arrival declaration card refers to the same declaration submitted before landing in Canada, typically via ArriveCAN or airport self-service systems.

This pre-arrival submission allows border officers to review your information in advance, helping to:

• Speed up the entry process
• Reduce congestion at immigration counters
• Improve overall travel efficiency

Information Required for Submission

Whether you're completing the Canada arrival card online or filling it out at the airport, you will need:

Arrival Process in Canada

After landing in Canada, follow these steps:

Step 1: Immigration Clearance

Once you land, just follow the signs to the primary inspection area.

Here, you'll join a line to present your passport and any required travel documents (like a visa or eTA confirmation) to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.

Step 2: Submit Declaration (Primary Inspection)

You will then use an Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosk.

You'll scan your passport, take a photo, and answer the standard customs and immigration declaration questions on the screen.

Step 3: Collect Baggage

After the PIK kiosk, you'll be directed to the baggage claim area.

Check the overhead monitors for your flight number to locate the correct baggage claim carousel.

Free luggage carts are generally available in this hall.

Step 4: Customs Check (Exit)

Once you have your luggage, follow the exit signs.

At the final checkpoint, you'll show your PIK kiosk receipt and verbally declare any goods you need to report (like specific food items, large amounts of currency, or commercial goods) to a CBSA officer.

While most travelers will be waved through to the public arrivals hall, you may be directed to a secondary inspection area for a detailed baggage or document check.

Who Needs the Canada Arrival Card?

The Canada pre-arrival declaration card is required for most travelers, including:

Families traveling together may submit a single declaration in some cases. According to the CBSA, up to 5 travelers can use a single primary inspection kiosk to submit their customs and immigration declarations together.