State, Military or Scientific Overflight Authorization

Foreign state, military and scientific aircraft require diplomatic clearance for entry and operation in Canadian territory. Applications for foreign state, military or scientific aircraft to operate within Canadian territory should be submitted at least three working days (72h) before the proposed date of entry into Canadian airspace.

This advance notification is critical to ensuring that relevant Government of Canada departments with responsibilities pertaining to aircraft safety and security have sufficient time to review and assess the submitted requests and to avoid any inadvertent delays in approvals. Requests for aircraft to conduct Marine Scientific Research (MSR) must be received at least 45 calendar days prior to the intended start of research activities.

Note: Urgent requests (i.e. those not received at least three working days in advance) must include a description of the event or urgency to explain why the request does not meet the established advanced notification rule. Exceptions to the advance notification rule will only be granted under specific circumstances, such as short-notice government business flights that could not be foreseen. Otherwise, requests will be processed within the normal timelines of three business days in advance of the aircraft entering Canadian airspace.

Applications are submitted by completing form GAC-AMC 2095, Application for Overflight Clearance: Entry into Canadian Domestic Airspace, and emailing it to:

For foreign state aircraft landing in Canada, the Office of Protocol manages the Canada Reception Centres at the Macdonald Cartier International Airport and the administration of the National Airport Courtesy Program.