How do foreign aircrew get Canadian RAIC pass?

[Qdrivermann]

I know of one European pilot at Sunwings in YYZ who has more than a colorful financial past in Europe... last I remember you have to have a solid credit/financial background check to obtain a Canadian RAIC pass.... so, when Sunwings brings these guys over how do they qualify for such pass??
Just curious....
What kind of background check is done on them?
Thanks and cheers

[Gilles Hudicourt]

I looked into it and made some phones calls and exchanged a few emails with TC about this very subject.

There is a RCMP office in Montreal where I once went to get a letter stating I had no criminal record in Canada in order to apply for a visa in another country. You would think that such a letter would be all that is required to obtain a RAIC but no. To get a RAIC, they have to investigate you and it takes months, not just for your first aplication but also for a mere renewall. That is if you are Canadian.

If you are a foreigner, there is a fast track. The foreigner goes to his national police, gets a letter stating he has no criminal record in his country, and he gets his RAIC. End of story.

[FL020]

I hope thats a joke...

[Diadem]

To get a RAIC, they have to investigate you and it takes months, not just for your first aplication but also for a mere renewall. That is if you are Canadian.

I had mine within a week for my initial, and a couple of days for my renewal. There could be delays if you're a landed immigrant because they have to get records from your home country, or if you have an unsavoury past...

[rocket81]

To get a RAIC, they have to investigate you and it takes months, not just for your first aplication but also for a mere renewall. That is if you are Canadian.

I had mine within a week for my initial, and a couple of days for my renewal. There could be delays if you're a landed immigrant because they have to get records from your home country, or if you have an unsavoury past...

Move appartments 3 times in 5 years and have 3 different flying jobs, you will wait the 3 months, and don't make a spelling mistake, because they will make you start all over, tsss you know...safety.

Obviously there are two sets of laws in Canada, those that apply for Canadian pilots and those that are none existent for foreign pilots. Maybe it is time federal government stops messing around.

[Qdrivermann]

You have to be kidding me... that's crazy! The last time I worked in Canada my RAIC application took three months... That is half the contract period for the Sunwings seasonal contractors... Why the double standard?? Canada is a great country with great people but sometimes some really strange things go on that defy any sort of logic!! RAIC applications should be exactly the same for nationals as well as foreigners...

[Gilles Hudicourt]

What I stated above was my memory from a 2012 phone conversation, but I could no longer find my notes about that conversation. I remember the man I was speaking to did not seem pleased at all about my call.

Here is what their regulations say:

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/aviationsecuri ... 15.htm#n26

Foreign Nationals
II.6

The following documentation must accompany the application
A certificate signed by an official of the foreign government, foreign air carrier or foreign company stating that:
the applicant is an employee of the government, air carrier or company; and the applicant's presence in the restricted area will not constitute a threat to transportation security.

Documentation issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada indicating that the applicant complies with the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.


A photo-bearing identification document issued by the company or government concerned.

Where applicable a letter of introduction signed by an official of the foreign manufacturer to the client Canadian air carrier stating that:

the applicant is a representative of the foreign manufacturer; and
the customary reliability checks of the applicant were conducted by the foreign manufacturer.

Where applicable a letter from the Canadian air carrier attesting that the representative's presence in the restricted area is necessary to meet the conditions of after sales service and stating the expiry date of the service agreement.

Where applicable a certificate signed by an official of the Canadian air carrier stating that the foreign national has been directly employed by the Canadian air carrier or by the foreign company for the previous five years.

[BMLtech]

deleted due off topic.

[daedalusx]

I've been waiting for my RAIC for over a year. No criminal convictions, no unpaid speeding tickets and good financial background so go figure...

[BeechjetYKZ]

A RAIC provides access to secure areas of the airport with little to no screening required. They ask for a 5 year history of addresses/jobs/schooling/etc plus they do a criminal background check. I highly doubt they're interested in one's credit score or financial history as it's irrelevant to the purpose of a RAIC. Perhaps after the Germanwings tragedy they'll be more interested in a person's relationship status and how many partners they've had?

[horizonav]

They don't....

If they are operating in Canada under a wet-lease agreement, flying a foreign registered aircraft for a Canadian operator they continue to use their company issued ID, just like any other visiting crew, which means they are required to use the crew line of the passenger screening points at airports, and not the by-pass.

If they are on an FLVC + Work Permit operating a C- registered aircraft they can apply for a "temporary" pass, just like the ones they issue to any new employees at the airport. Temporary passes are not RAICs, they are issued locally by each airport, and require the holder to go through regular screening points to enter secure areas of the airport, and they must be escorted whenever they are in restricted areas (anywhere you can't get to with a boarding pass as a passenger). Again, in all cases they must use the crew line of the regular security check-points, and not the crew by-pass.