India–Canada family flights in 2026: visa, child immigration, and what no one tells you at the airport
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer writes offbeat destination guides for Indian travellers — places that work in monsoon, shoulder-season picks, and the cities Indian first-time international travellers underrate. Based in Bangalore, perpetually mid-itinerary.) · Published · 11 min read
Air India and Air Canada both operate non-stop services between India and Canada, with Toronto and Vancouver as the main gateways. For families, the flight itself is the easy part — the Canadian tourist visa process, biometrics for children, and the immigration queue at Pearson can catch you off guard if you have not planned ahead.
TL;DR — the short answer
Yes, you can fly direct from India to Canada. Air India runs non-stop flights from Delhi (DEL) to Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR). Air Canada operates the same city-pairs. Round-trip fares for the 14–16 hour journey are typically in the range of ₹70,000–₹1,50,000 per adult in economy depending on season and how far ahead you book — verify current prices on FlightGPT or the airlines' own sites. The Canadian tourist visa (Temporary Resident Visa, TRV) takes 4–8 weeks on average as of 2026, requires biometrics at a VFS Global centre, and applies to children too, even infants. Start the visa process at least 8–10 weeks before you plan to travel.
Which airlines fly direct from India to Canada?
Two carriers run genuine non-stop India–Canada routes as of 2026:
- Air India: Delhi to Toronto Pearson (AI 187/188) and Delhi to Vancouver (AI 191/192). These are among the longest non-stop routes from India, operated on wide-body aircraft (B777 or B787 depending on the season). Air India also sometimes has promotional fares that include a checked bag and a meal, which matters on a 15-hour flight with kids.
- Air Canada: Toronto to Delhi and Vancouver to Delhi. Air Canada operates similar frequency and tends to have slightly different fare buckets — sometimes cheaper if you book through their website directly, sometimes more expensive. Their Aeroplan loyalty programme can be useful if someone in your family is already accumulating points.
There are no other carriers flying India–Canada non-stop as of mid-2026. Every other option involves a transit — common stopovers include London (Heathrow via British Airways or connecting Air India/Air Canada flights), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), or Amsterdam (KLM). One-stop itineraries can be cheaper by ₹15,000–₹40,000 per person, but adding 4–6 hours and a transit with young children is its own kind of adventure — weigh the cost against your sanity.
For families flying from cities other than Delhi, you will connect domestically first. Mumbai–Delhi is the obvious transit point; Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad also connect to DEL reasonably well. Use FlightGPT to compare the full journey fares including the domestic connection.
Canadian tourist visa for Indian families: the basics
Indian passport holders need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada as tourists. Each family member — including infants — needs their own visa. The process is handled online through the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) portal at canada.ca/immigration, with biometrics enrolled in person at a VFS Global centre in India.
As of 2026, the standard tourist visa application fee is CAD 100 per person (approximately ₹6,200–₹6,500 at current exchange rates — check the IRCC fee page for the exact rupee equivalent via your payment method). The biometrics fee is CAD 85 per person or CAD 170 for a family applying together, capped at a family maximum — verify this on the official IRCC site as the family cap structure has been revised.
Processing times have ranged from 4 to 12 weeks depending on your office and application volume. Mid-2026 has seen increased India application volumes; IRCC's own processing time tracker is the only reliable source — do not trust travel-forum estimates.
- For children under 14: Biometrics are NOT required if the child is under 14 at the time of application. However, they still need their own application and a valid passport.
- For children 14 and above: Biometrics are required, same as adults.
- Letter of consent: If only one parent is travelling with the children, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) strongly recommends carrying a notarised letter of consent from the non-travelling parent. Immigration officers at Canadian ports of entry do ask about this, especially for minors travelling with one adult.
VFS Global biometrics centres in India: what to expect
VFS Global handles biometrics collection for Canadian visa applications across India. As of 2026, centres are available in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kochi, and several other cities — check the VFS Canada India page for the current list and appointment availability. Appointments fill up 2–4 weeks in advance in metro cities during peak season (May–August, December).
The biometrics appointment is quick — typically 15–20 minutes. You will have your fingerprints scanned and a photo taken. Bring the original payment receipt, your passport, and the appointment confirmation. For children who do need biometrics (14 and above), a parent must accompany them.
A hard-won tip: book the biometrics appointment at the same time you submit your online application, not after. The system does not let you submit the online form first and then come back for biometrics whenever you like — you need to attend within 30 days of your online submission, and appointment slots in July and December are genuinely scarce in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.
At the Canadian border: immigration with children
Arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Vancouver International (YVR) with kids is manageable, but the queues can be long. Both airports have dedicated family lanes at primary immigration inspection — look for signs as you approach the CBSA hall. The ArriveCAN app is no longer mandatory as of 2023, but you may still be asked questions about your visit, accommodation, and finances.
What every family with a TRV needs ready at the immigration counter:
- Passports for every family member (including the kids — officers want to see each person's document)
- The original visa approval letter (the TRV sticker is in your passport, but the approval letter has the conditions and helps if there are any questions)
- Your first night's accommodation details — hotel confirmation or a relative's address
- Proof of funds: bank statements showing you can support yourselves. There is no published minimum, but having 3 months of bank statements showing healthy balances is standard advice.
- Return or onward tickets
- The parental consent letter if one parent is absent
Children under 18 who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and travelling with a non-citizen parent may be flagged for additional verification — this is rare but happens. Stay calm, answer honestly, and you will be through in under 30 minutes in most cases. Toronto Pearson is notoriously slower than Vancouver; if you can choose your entry point and have tired children, YVR tends to move faster.
Travelling with infants and toddlers on the long-haul: practical bits
A 15-hour flight with a toddler is an endurance sport. A few things that actually help:
- Book a bassinet seat: Air India and Air Canada both have bassinet-capable bulkhead seats in economy. Request these at booking — they are not guaranteed but are allocated as early as possible. Children must typically be under 12 months and under 11–13 kg (check the specific airline's weight limit, as it differs). Even if your child has graduated from bassinet age, the extra legroom at a bulkhead is useful for kids who want to stand.
- Infant fares: An infant under 2 travelling on your lap pays around 10% of the adult fare on international sectors on Air India (no seat allocated). Once your child turns 2, they need their own seat and pay the child fare — typically around 75% of adult economy on these routes, though the exact percentage varies by fare class and booking class. Always verify at booking.
- Baby food and milk at security: CBSA allows reasonable quantities of baby food and formula as carry-on. Declare it. Indian airports (DEL, BOM) also generally permit sealed jars and formula — CISF may ask you to open a container to verify, which is standard. Pack a couple of days' worth of familiar food in your cabin bag; Canadian grocery stores have good baby food, but the first 24 hours should be covered.
- Jet lag is brutal for kids: Canada is 9.5 to 12.5 hours behind India depending on the province and time of year. Toddlers tend to reset faster than adults, but plan for 4–5 days of disrupted sleep at the destination.
Once you have your flights sorted, explore destinations on FlightGPT for ideas on what to see in Canada — Niagara Falls and Banff are the classic family draws, but Whistler in summer and the Ontario lakeshores are underrated for Indian families travelling in July–August.
Bottom line and booking tips
The India–Canada route is well-served and the visa, while bureaucratic, is doable with enough lead time. Start your visa application 8–10 weeks before travel, book biometrics the same day you apply online, carry the parental consent letter if only one parent is travelling, and make sure every family member including infants has their own TRV. On the flight itself, request bassinet seats early and pack familiar snacks. Closer to home, Sri Lanka is a lovely first international family trip if Canada feels overwhelming for a first go — but Canada, once the visa is in hand, is genuinely one of the friendlier destinations for Indian families.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Canada tourist visa take from India in 2026?
Processing times are typically 4–8 weeks as of mid-2026, but can stretch to 10–12 weeks in peak summer months when application volumes spike. The IRCC processing time tracker at canada.ca is the only reliable source — check it before you apply and build in buffer.
Do children need biometrics for a Canadian visa?
Children under 14 are exempt from biometrics. Children aged 14 and above need to attend a VFS biometrics appointment, same as adults. Infants and toddlers under 14 still need their own TRV application and passport, just not the biometrics step.
Which is better for India–Canada: Air India or Air Canada?
Both are broadly comparable on the non-stop Delhi route. Air India often has promotional fares that include checked baggage, which matters for families. Air Canada's Aeroplan programme is useful if you have accumulated points. Compare both on FlightGPT or the airlines' direct sites — fares for the same dates can differ by ₹10,000–₹30,000 per person, so it is worth checking both.
Is a letter of consent required if only one parent is travelling with children to Canada?
Canada does not legally require a notarised parental consent letter, but the CBSA strongly recommends one, and immigration officers can — and sometimes do — question a parent travelling alone with minor children. A notarised letter signed by the absent parent stating the travel dates, destination, and consent is inexpensive to get and avoids any complications at the border.
What is the infant fare on Air India and Air Canada to Canada?
Infants under 2 travelling on a lap typically pay around 10% of the adult base fare on international routes, plus taxes. On a transatlantic-length route like India–Canada, taxes alone can come to ₹8,000–₹15,000. Once a child turns 2 they need a seat, and child fares are usually around 75% of the applicable adult economy fare — verify at the time of booking as exact percentages vary by fare class.
Can I use FlightGPT to search India–Canada flights?
Yes — search on FlightGPT (flightgpt.in) to compare fares across Air India, Air Canada, and one-stop alternatives on the same screen. For a family of four, the price difference between booking six weeks out versus six months out can easily run to ₹1–2 lakh total, so searching early is worth it.