Entering Canada

Passport

A passport is an official document containing a given person’s identity and nationality issued by the country of citizenship, which allows a foreign national to travel internationally. Most passports have a validity period.

As an international student in Canada, you must be aware of the expiry date of your passport. This is because the validity of your Canadian immigration documents, such as your study permit, co-op work permit, Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), cannot extend beyond your passport’s expiry date.

To ensure your stay in Canada is uninterrupted, it’s advisable to maintain a passport that is valid throughout your period of stay. If you need to renew your passport during your stay in Canada, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Canada at least six months before it expires. Please visit the Global Affairs Canada page for a list of foreign representatives in Canada.

Visa to enter Canada

Depending on your country of citizenship, in addition to a valid study permit or a port of entry (POE) letter of introduction, you will need one of the following to enter Canada:

A study permit is different from an eTA or a TRV. A study permit is a document that shows your status to remain in Canada as an international student. You must have a valid eTA or TRV to enter or re-enter Canada. Exemption: If you are a citizen of the United States, you don’t need an eTA or TRV.

When you apply for an initial study permit from outside Canada without a valid eTA or TRV, your eTA or TRV will be processed simultaneously with your study permit application.

Having a valid eTA or TRV does not guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will review all your supporting documents and decide whether you can enter Canada at your POE. They must be satisfied that you meet the requirements to enter Canada and that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt travellers entering Canada by air. An eTA is a number electronically linked to your passport.

Who needs an eTA?

You may need an eTA if you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country to enter Canada by air.

Citizens of the United States are exempt from the eTA requirement. They must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.

eTA validity

An eTA may be valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you obtain a new passport, you also need to obtain a new eTA. Learn more about eTA validity by visiting the IRCC website.

Apply for an eTA

When you apply for an initial study permit from outside Canada without a valid travel document, the eTA number will be automatically issued and included in your letter of introduction.

International students from visa-exempt countries with valid study permits should ensure they have a valid eTA if they plan to leave and re-enter Canada. You can check your eTA status to ensure it remains valid. Even with a valid study permit, an eTA is necessary for re-entry. If your eTA expires before your study permit, you’ll need to renew it to avoid any issues returning to Canada. Remember, a valid study permit does not serve as an entry visa.

If you need one, you can apply for an eTA online. Usually, you can receive the eTA approval through your email within minutes; however, it can also take several days if they require additional documents.

For more details, please visit the Help Centre – Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), or Visitor Visa

The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also known as Visitor Visa, is an entry requirement for visa-required travellers entering Canada by any method of travel. The TRV is a counterfoil/sticker placed in your passport to show you meet the initial criteria for entering Canada.

Who needs a TRV?

If you are a citizen of a visa-required country, you will need a TRV to enter Canada by air, land or sea.

Citizens of the United States are exempt from the TRV requirement. They must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.

While inside Canada, international students are not required to hold a valid TRV. However, it is strongly recommended to always keep one valid, especially if you plan to leave and re-enter Canada during your studies.

TRV validity

A TRV remains valid until the expiry date indicated on the counterfoil/sticker. If you apply for an initial study permit from outside Canada without a valid travel document, your TRV will be issued with the same expiry date as your study permit.

A TRV and a study permit will not be issued past the expiry date of your passport. Therefore, it is important to ensure your passport remains valid for the entire duration of your studies.

Apply for a TRV

When applying for an initial study permit from outside Canada, if you don’t already possess a valid TRV, it will be automatically issued alongside your study permit application. The TRV counterfoil or sticker will then be placed in your passport.

International students from visa-required countries holding valid study permits must also ensure they possess a valid TRV if they plan to leave and re-enter Canada. It’s crucial to confirm that your TRV remains valid in your passport.

If you’re already in Canada with a valid study permit or have applied to extend it before its expiry, you can continue your studies even if your TRV has expired. Your study permit signifies your status in Canada, while the TRV serves as the counterfoil or sticker, allowing you to enter the country.

However, if you’ve extended your study permit while in Canada, a new TRV will not be automatically issued. You’ll need to first obtain your new study permit and then apply for a TRV from inside Canada. Vancouver Community College (VCC) students will require a Confirmation of Enrolment and an official transcript for this application. It’s advisable not to make travel plans during this process, as you’ll need to submit your original passport with the TRV application. Remember that IRCC Processing times can be lengthy.

In the unfortunate event that your passport containing the TRV is lost or stolen, begin by filing a police report. Subsequently, apply for a new passport through your consulate or embassy, and then apply for a new TRV. Include a letter of explanation along with proof of the police report.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Help Centre – Tourist visa for students.

Travelling to the United States and re-entering Canada

If you are an international student with a valid study permit, you may not need a valid TRV to re-enter Canada if you are entering Canada solely from the United States, as you may meet the visa-exemption IRPR, Part 9, Division 5, Section 190(3)(f).

You may need a valid United States entry visa to pass through the US Border Security before proceeding to the Land/Border Crossing (Flagpole).

Key documents for travelling to Canada

Before travelling to Canada, ensure you have all necessary documents ready to present to the Canadian border services officer at your port of entry upon arrival.

Check Study permit: Prepare for arrival and EduCanada: Plan your studies in Canada to better prepare for your trip.

Below, you will find a list of documents to support your travel to Canada:

A valid passport.
A valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), unless exempt, i.e., Citizens of the United States.
A valid Study Permit or a port of entry (POE) letter of introduction as known indicating initial Study Permit approval, unless exempt.
A Confirmation of Enrolment [LINK] (COE) from VCC if you have already started your program, or a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) if you are a newly admitted student yet to commence your program. Note that the COE is only issued for students who have already started their programs.
Recent proof of financial support.
If required, valid immigration medical exam results, which should be valid upon entering Canada. Remember, these results are only valid for 12 months. If they expire before your entry, a new medical exam is necessary even if your POE letter is valid.

Important tip

Always carry these documents with you during travel; do not place them in checked luggage to avoid potential issues at entry. 

At the port of entry

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll meet a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer. The officer will:

ask to see your passport or travel documents,
ask you a few questions and
ensure you meet the requirements to enter Canada.

Entry to Canada is at the discretion of a CBSA officer. The CBSA officer will review all your supporting documents and decide whether you can enter Canada. They must be satisfied that you meet the requirements to enter Canada, and that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

We recommend that students familiarize themselves with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) crossing the border guidelines. The Government of Canada offers detailed information on customs procedures and what to expect when entering Canada, whether by air or land.

If you arrive in Canada by air

You will need to declare your travel information at the primary inspection kiosk. The following steps will include picking up your luggage and proceeding to immigration. At the CBSA officer desk, you will present your initial study permit approval port of entry (POE) letter of introduction and any additional documentation. If your entry into Canada is approved, the CBSA officer will issue you your study permit and your co-op/practicum work permit (if applicable). Review your documents before leaving to ensure that all personal information, conditions, and remarks are correct. If something is incorrect, please notify the CBSA officer.  If you have a valid study permit, ensure all documents are ready to provide to the CBSA officer.

If you arrive in Canada by land

There will be no kiosks. You may answer the CBSA officer’s questions and let them know if you need a study permit.

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The content on this page reflects the information available at the time of its publication. It is important to acknowledge that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other government departments regularly revise their policies. For the latest information, please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Latest Updated: December 3, 2024