Travel To Canada: What Students Need To Know

Students are allowed to travel to Canada, but they must meet several requirements. These include having a valid study permit or a letter of introduction showing approval for a study permit, attending a designated learning institution, and having a valid passport or travel document. Additionally, students may need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on their country of origin. It is important for students to ensure they have all the necessary documents and meet the entry requirements before travelling to Canada.

Entry requirements

To enter Canada as a student, you must meet several requirements. Firstly, you need a valid study permit or a letter of introduction showing approval for a study permit unless one is not required. Additionally, you must be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI). If you are entering Canada for the first time, you should carry a copy of your valid letter of acceptance from the institution.

In terms of travel documents, a valid passport or equivalent is necessary. Depending on your country of origin, you may also need a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It is important to ensure that your travel documents are valid and up to date before travelling. If your documents expire while you are outside Canada, or if you have applied for an extension, you may need to contact International Student Advising for support.

Other essential requirements for entering Canada include having sufficient funds to support your stay and proof of this, such as bank statements. You must also have no criminal or immigration-related convictions and be in good health. A valid immigration medical exam may be required, and the results are valid for 12 months from the day you receive them.

Furthermore, you should be prepared to convince an immigration officer that you have strong ties to your home country and that you intend to return there after your stay in Canada. This can include demonstrating that you have a job, a home, financial assets, or family in your home country.

Travel documents

As an international student, you will need to carry a valid travel document, such as a passport, to enter Canada. This is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document when abroad.

In addition to your passport, you may need a travel authorization such as a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. Whether you need a visa or an eTA depends on your country of origin. Make sure you know which document you need before you travel.

If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification, or a US Permanent Resident Card.

If you are a permanent resident of Canada, you must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence, and you may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.

If you are a Canadian citizen, it is recommended that you carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the US. This is the only universally accepted identification document and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.

Other acceptable documents that support identity and/or citizenship for Canadian citizens include:

• Canadian emergency travel document
• Canadian temporary passport
• CANPASS authorization
• Commercial driver registration program card
• FAST card (Free and Secure Trade)
• NEXUS card
• Citizenship and immigration documents
• Canadian permanent residence card
• Canadian citizenship card
• Certificate of Canadian citizenship
• Certificate of retention
• Certificate of naturalization
• Registration of birth abroad certificate
• Provincial or territorial documents, such as a birth certificate or enhanced driver's license
• Other valid documents, such as Canadian Forces identification, police identification, or a vehicle insurance certificate

Medical requirements

To be allowed to travel to Canada as a student, you must meet several requirements. These include having a valid passport or travel document, attending a designated learning institution (DLI), and having a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA). Additionally, you must meet specific medical requirements.

To enter Canada, you must have valid immigration medical exam results if you needed one. This exam must be valid for 12 months from the day you take it and must still be valid on the day you enter Canada. If your exam expires before you enter the country, you will need to undergo another medical exam, even if your letter of introduction is still valid.

The specific requirements and procedures for the immigration medical exam may vary, but it typically includes a physical examination and may include certain tests or screenings to ensure you are in good health and do not have any communicable diseases.

It is important to note that the validity of your medical exam is separate from the validity of your letter of introduction. Even if your letter of introduction is still within its validity period, you must ensure that your medical exam is also valid up to the date of your entry into Canada.

In addition to the medical exam, you may also need to meet other health-related requirements. For example, you must ensure that your routine vaccinations are up to date and that you have all the necessary medications for your trip.

Furthermore, you should be prepared to manage any ongoing medical conditions during your time in Canada. This includes having adequate supplies of required medications and understanding how to access medical care in the country if needed.

It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before undertaking any international travel to ensure you are in good health and have all the necessary medical documentation and preparations in place.

Criminal convictions

Any criminal conviction, no matter how minor, can cause a problem when travelling to Canada. Even a single conviction for drunk driving (DUI) or possession of a small amount of marijuana can render a person ineligible to enter Canada. If you have a criminal record, you may be deemed "criminally inadmissible" and denied entry by Canadian border services.

Under Canadian immigration law, if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into the country. This includes both minor and serious crimes, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and possession of or trafficking in drugs or controlled substances. The Canadian government maintains a list of criminal offences in the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

However, a criminal conviction from your past does not mean that you will never be able to go to Canada. There are several pathways to overcoming criminal inadmissibility:

• Deemed Rehabilitation: If enough time has passed since you served your sentence, you may be deemed rehabilitated, depending on the nature of the crime and your behaviour since. In all cases, the crime must have a maximum prison term of less than 10 years if it had been committed in Canada.
• Individual Rehabilitation: You can apply for individual rehabilitation if you can demonstrate that you are not likely to reoffend. To be eligible, at least five years must have passed since the end of your sentence, and you must show that you meet the criteria and have been rehabilitated.
• Record Suspension: If you have been convicted in Canada, you can apply to the Parole Board of Canada for a record suspension (formerly known as a pardon). If granted, you will no longer be deemed inadmissible.
• Temporary Resident Permit: If it has been less than five years since the end of your sentence, or if you have valid reasons for entering Canada, you may be granted a temporary resident permit. An immigration or border services officer will decide if your need to enter outweighs the health or safety risks to Canadian society.

If you are unsure about your eligibility to enter Canada, it is advisable to consult a Canadian immigration lawyer or the Canadian Border Service Agency.

Proof of funds

To enter Canada as a student, you must prove that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members who come with you. The amount of money you will need can vary depending on factors such as the length of your stay and your choice of accommodation.

• Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you’ve transferred money to Canada.
• A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.
• Proof of a student or education loan from a bank.
• Your bank statements for the past 4 months.
• A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars.
• Proof you have paid tuition and housing fees.
• A letter from the person or school giving you money.
• Proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program.

If your country uses foreign exchange controls, you must also prove that you will be allowed to export funds for all of your expenses.

The amount of funds required per year will depend on the number of family members and the province or territory you plan to stay in. For example, if you and two family members want to come to a province or territory other than Quebec for a year, you’ll need $31,583 for living expenses. On the other hand, if you are a single student, you will need CAD 20,635 per year, excluding tuition fees.

Frequently asked questions