Entering Canada

Entering Canada

After Entry to Canada

What to expect when entering Canada

We strongly recommended that you have the following documents with you in your carry-on luggage:

• A valid Letter of Acceptance and Port of Entry Letter of Introduction (for admitted students);
  • The letter of introduction is the study permit approval received outside Canada (as the study permit itself is only issued upon arrival in Canada).
• Confirmation of enrollment (for current students);
  • Letter available on ACORN or from your Registrar’s Office. Should include your:
    • Name,
    • student number,
    • enrollment status, and;
    • expected graduation date.
  • Students returning from a leave of absence should have confirmation of return to studies.
• Proof of financial support:
  • Up-to-date versions of the supporting documents used to prove you can support yourself (and any accompanying family members) while in Canada.
  • IRCC expects you to prove access to funds to cover a minimum of annual tuition plus $10,000 CAD for living expenses. Additional funds are required if you are bringing a spouse/partner and/or children. See more on our Bring Your Dependants page.
  • How you prove access to funds depends on where they come from:
    • If funds are in your account, bank statement(s) with your name.
    • If funds are coming from the University or other institutional source, a letter detailing funding.
    • If funds are coming from family or other individuals, a letter confirming their willingness to support you and bank statements or income statements showing they have enough money to support you.
    • If you have already paid tuition, you can provide proof of payment by accessing your fees invoice on ACORN.
• Proof of completed immigration medical exam (if you have been in a ‘designated’ country for at least 6 of the past 12 months).
  • Medical exam results are valid for 12 months. If you will enter after your initial results expire, plan to have a new medical exam completed at least one month prior to travelling to Canada.

The Border Services Officer will review your documents and make the final decision about whether you are admitted to Canada. If you are entering for the first time, they will send you to the secondary immigration desk where your actual study permit will be issued to you. Be sure to review the permit before leaving the immigration desk and ask for errors to be fixed. This includes checking to ensure that your study permit includes remarks about being allowed to accept on and off-campus work, if you should be authorized to do so.

The Canadian Government provides general guidance about what to expect when entering Canada and specific guidance for new international students to prepare for their arrival to Canada.