Identification and entry requirements

Your trip is ready – now make sure you have all the right documents. Check your ID, visa, and entry requirements so nothing stops your plans short.

Note: Information and guidance on this page is not meant to replace policies and regulations from official government sources.
Visit the Government of Canada website to learn more.

ID requirements at boarding

Everyone, no matter their age, needs an ID that matches the name on their ticket. You need to make sure you and any child with you have the right ID and travel papers for every country you're visiting or passing through. Check with the nearest embassy or consulate of each country for what you need.

Adults 18 years of age or older	Identification required* Must be presented during boarding at the gate: One piece of valid (not expired) Canadian federal, provincial, or territorial government issued photo ID that includes name, and date of birth. Fishing, hunting, and boating licenses will not be accepted. OR One of the following: Passport NEXUS Card US Permanent Resident Card US Enhanced Driver's License International Travel Document {i.e. Laissez-Passer} OR Two pieces of valid (not expired) Canadian federal, provincial, or territorial government issued non-photo ID (one of which must show name and date of birth). Fishing, hunting, and boating licenses will not be accepted. **Please note: the names on the two-pieces of ID must match. If the last names do not match because of a name change, you must show a marriage certificate or legal name change certificate to verify the change. Transport Canada requires every guest 18 years of age and older to present original identification to board a domestic flight. A photocopy is NOT accepted. For a complete list of accepted identification documents, visit the Public Safety Canada website.
Infants (under two years of age)	*Proof of age required (a photocopy is acceptable)** _{*If you do not have proof of age, you will be required to purchase a seat for your child. The purchase price for the seat will be fully refunded if proof of age is provided to WestJet within 7 days of the flight having been completed.}
Children	All children must fly with an adult on WestJet flights until they turn 12, unless they are flying alone as an unaccompanied minor. We recommend that all children have one piece of government-issued ID. The age for children to travel alone might be different on flights with our partner airlines. Please check the other airline's rules for more information.
Children travelling with one parent	Consult Travel.gc.ca for information on child custody, consent letters and other documentation as additional information may be required if you are planning onward travel to the U.S. or another country.
Children travelling alone (12 to 17 years of age)	Your child may be denied boarding if they appear to be less than 12 years of age and are not able to present proof of age.
Children travelling as an unaccompanied minor (see age restrictions)	A photocopy (not the original) of your child's government-issued identification showing their name, gender and date of birth must be presented and sent with your child. Each parent/guardian that is picking up or dropping off a child must also have government-issued identification.

Adults, children and infants	Identification required* Must be presented during boarding at the gate: Valid Passport OR NEXUS Card
Children travelling with one parent	Consult Travel.gc.ca for information on child custody, consent letters and other documentation.
Children travelling as an unaccompanied minor	WestJet does not offer unaccompanied minor service for flights to, through or from international destinations.
Non-Canadian visitors from Visa Waiver countrie	The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires an online application for an Electronic Travel Systems Authorization (ESTA) to be completed for travel authorization prior to travel to the U.S.

Adults, children and infants

Identification required*

Must be presented during boarding at the gate:

Valid Passport

NEXUS card

International Travel Document (i.e. Laissex-Passer)

**please note: gender must be included on the above ID for international flights

For country-specific information and other important travel issues, contact the nearest embassy, consulate or Travel.gc.ca

Children travelling with one parent

Consult Travel.gc.ca for information on child custody, consent letters and other documents, as well as the nearest embassy or consulate for the destination you are travelling to as there may be additional documentation required.

Children travelling as an unaccompanied minor

WestJet does not offer unaccompanied minor service for flights to, through or from international destinations.

You may not be allowed to board if you do not look like the photo on your ID, if the name on your boarding pass does not match your ID, if your ID is expired, or if there are differences between the IDs you show.

We do not deny boarding if your ID shows a different gender or age, but we must still verify your ID to determine if you are 18 years of age or older.

We strongly recommend that you apply for a new passport if your current passport is damaged. Guests travelling with a passport that is damaged in any way could face significant delays and may be denied boarding.)

Lost or stolen passports

If your passport has been lost or stolen, contact the consulate/embassy of your issuing country immediately. Canadians can report a lost or stolen passport to the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. Passports located or turned into a WestJet representative will be returned to the originating country.

Entry requirements

Travel requirements can vary based on your origin, destination, vaccination status, and the passport you hold. To ensure a smooth journey, please check that: 

You’re aware of all current ID requirements.
Your passport is up-to-date. 
You have completed any mandatory pre-boarding forms.
You have reviewed our current travel advisories for location of event specific disruptions.
If you’re traveling outside of Canada, you’ve reviewed the Government of Canada’s official Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination.

For a tailored overview of your travel and visa requirements, please visit the IATA Travel Centre website. We recommend reviewing this information both before booking and prior to your departure.

Additional travel requirements

Some countries may ask for extra forms or approvals along with your passport and visa. Make sure to find out what you need before you travel.

Pre-boarding requirements for International Destinations

Certain destinations have pre-boarding requirements. Check the pre-boarding requirement country list to ensure you have everything prepared before your flight.

Non-residents travelling to or through Canada

WestJet is a member of the Canadian Transit without Visa Program for guests entering Canada through Vancouver International Airport only. This program allows Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Filipino nationals to travel Visa exempt with WestJet from the U.S. to Vancouver and connect to another flight departing Canada. Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Filipino nationals must have a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada via any other city and connect to another flight departing Canada. Please refer to the Government of Canada website for more information.

Travelling to Canada by air and you are a foreign traveler who does not require a visa to travel to Canada, please visit Canada.ca/eTA to find out how to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization prior to travel. Foreign travelers with a valid Canadian visa, U.S. citizens, Canadian Citizens and Canadian Permanent residents do not require an Electronic Travel Authorization for travel to Canada.

Non-residents travelling to or through UK

Travelling to the UK by air and you are a foreign traveler who does not require a visa to travel to the UK for short stays of up to six months, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Please visit https://gov.uk to view your eligibility and how to apply online.

If you hold a UK visa or use a biometric residence permit (BRP) or card (BRC) to prove your immigration status, get access to your eVisa before you travel and make sure your passport details are up to date: www.gov.uk/eVisa

Non-residents travelling to the U.S. and International Destinations

Travelling to the United States by air and you are a foreign traveler who does not require a visa to travel to the United States, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta to find out how to apply online for an Electronic Travel Systems Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours prior to travel. Applicants who apply on the same day of their flight’s departure risk not having an approved ESTA prior to their scheduled departure. Canadian Citizens do not require an Electronic Travel Systems Authorization for travel to the United States.

Secure Flight Program

Airlines are required to submit specific information to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for all guests travelling to, from or over the continental U.S. (excluding flights between two Canadian locations). The following information must be submitted 72 hours before travel or at the time of booking for bookings made less than 72 hours before flight departure:

name (as it appears on the government-issued ID that will be used when travelling)
date of birth
gender
redress number (if applicable)
known traveller number (if applicable)

For more information, please refer to the TSA's website regarding the Secure Flight Program.

Travel to WestJet Vacations destinations

All identification information outlined above applies to your travel. You should also be aware that some hotel and activity suppliers may require ID for redemption of services.

Data collection

As mentioned in the WestJet Privacy Policy, we are required to collect personal information by government authorities in the U.S., Canada and other countries, and that information may be disclosed to those authorities without your knowledge or consent as required by law. It is the policy of WestJet to only collect and disclose what is required by law, and nothing further.

U.S. CBP is required to collect the following information from persons entering the U.S.:

Full name
Gender
Date of birth
Citizenship
Passport number
Passport country of issuance
Passport expiration date
Country of residence
Your address while in the U.S.

Note: Address information is not required of U.S. citizens and legal U.S. Permanent Residents (who must provide their alien registration number).

ID requirements at boarding

Travel within Canada

Travel to, from or over the U.S.

International travel

Denial of boarding

Damaged, lost, or stolen passports

Entry requirements

Additional travel requirements

Pre-boarding requirements for International Destinations

Non-residents travelling to or through Canada

Transit without Visa Program

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Non-residents travelling to or through UK

Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK-ETA)

Non-residents travelling to the U.S. and International Destinations

Travel to the United States – Electronic Travel Systems Authorization (ESTA)

Travel to WestJet Vacations destinations

Data collection

Requirements of government authorities

U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP)

Helpful Links