In Canada, the national government announced its intention to change airport screening procedures. They’ll need to cater to the new U.S. rule requiring air travelers to remove their shoes. On July 9, 2025, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared that American airport passengers would no longer have to remove their shoes while going through security. This change makes the entire screening process easier and more streamlined for travelers.
Right now, Canada has one set of rules for flights arriving in Canada, and another for flights that are departing. For flights within Canada, and for flights to destinations outside of the U.S., Canadian regulations do not require the removal of shoes by passengers. For people flying to the United States via pre-clearance terminals, the shoe-removal requirement is still in effect.
Current Canadian Policies
Under current procedures, travelers taking domestic flights in Canada no longer need to take off their shoes when passing through airport security. This policy has been a boon of convenience for travelers looking to enjoy a more seamless travel experience at Canadian airports.
For international departing flights to outside of the U.S., travelers don’t need an annoying shoes-off search advisory. This policy is in line with Canada’s prioritization of providing the most efficient, user-friendly airports possible while establishing the appropriate levels of security.
As we’ve discussed before, a security officer can still ask you to remove your shoes if they feel it is warranted. This rule affects all flights whether they’re domestic or fly outside of the U.S. This provision permits the flexibility and responsiveness necessary to address particular security threats that may arise.
Changes in U.S. Policy
This change marks a turning point in U.S. airport security practices and was announced by Secretary Noem. In response, officials found other ways to keep travelers safe that didn’t involve making them take off their shoes. This innovation and policy shift is intended to improve the experience of all travelers while continuing to provide excellent security protections.
As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released its long-awaited major update. This has led to much speculation about what Canada will do to change their policies in light of these consultations developments. For its part, Transport Canada assured that it would work to ensure that it is aligned with these new U.S. requirements.
“will work with the Transportation Security Administration to ensure requirements are aligned” – Transport Canada
Looking Ahead
Canada is gearing up to take another major step toward updating its airport screening policies. For international travelers, this means better predictability and coordination between Canadian and U.S. systems. This new alignment is expected to make getting to and through travel easier for travelers taking flights in both directions between the two nations.
The continuous assessment of safety procedures underlines the need to keep pace with evolving security techniques that still prioritize the ease of movement for travelers. Our Canadian counterparts and U.S. counterparts share the same commitment to upholding rigorous safety standards while creating more efficient, less cumbersome travel experiences for passengers.
