International Students: Can They Enter Canada?

can international student enter canada

As of 2020, international students with a valid study permit or those approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, may enter Canada for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose. International students must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine and are required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival. In addition, students must possess a valid visa for Canada and be admitted to a Designated Learning Institute (DLI). As of May 21, 2021, travelers must enter their information into ArriveCAN within 72 hours of arriving in Canada and report symptoms daily.

Characteristics Values
Travel restrictions Border restrictions do not apply to international students with a valid study visa or permit.
Quarantine International students must undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
Testing International students must undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival and on Day 8 of their quarantine.
Vaccination International students must be fully vaccinated.
Travel purpose International students must travel for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose.
Arrival time International students must not arrive too early and are recommended to arrive within 4 weeks before the start of the semester.
Travel documents International students must have a Port of Entry letter from their college or university.
Travel authorisation Citizens of visa-exempt countries must obtain an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before departure.

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International students with a valid study permit or approval before March 18, 2020, can enter for a non-optional purpose

International students who held a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, can enter Canada for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose. This means that their presence in Canada is necessary for their continued participation in their programme. For example, if their programme includes laboratory work or workshops, or if online study is not an option due to internet restrictions or bandwidth limitations in their home country.

International students with a valid study permit or approval before March 18, 2020, must still comply with public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. This includes a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival, and they must undergo COVID-19 testing. They must also follow entry restrictions, testing, and quarantine procedures, which include taking a test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of their flight to Canada and presenting accepted test results. They must also ensure they have a confirmed booking at a government-authorised hotel before boarding their flight and go directly to their reserved hotel after taking the arrival test.

International students with a valid study permit or approval before March 18, 2020, should also be aware that they will need to present their study permit document to the air carrier and to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers upon arrival in Canada. They will also need to enter their information into the ArriveCAN app within 72 hours before their arrival and report symptoms daily. They will need to show their ArriveCAN confirmation receipt to the CBSA officers, along with their pre-test results, hotel confirmation, and quarantine plans.

It is important to note that while a valid study permit or approval before March 18, 2020, allows international students to enter Canada for a non-optional purpose, the final decision on entry rests with the CBSA officers, who will assess the individual's circumstances.

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Students must undergo COVID-19 testing and a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival

International students entering Canada must follow specific COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols. Firstly, it is recommended that students do not arrive in Canada earlier than four weeks before the start of their classes. This is to ensure they are not refused entry by customs. Students must also have a valid study visa or permit to be allowed entry into Canada.

Upon arrival, international students must undergo COVID-19 testing. They are required to take a test before leaving the airport and again on the eighth day of their quarantine. Travellers can now use a COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken the day before their flight or a molecular test taken within 72 hours of their flight. Students must also present their accepted test results, which can be in paper or electronic form.

In addition to testing, international students in Canada must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival. This includes the days spent at a government-authorized hotel. Students must arrange their quarantine plans and discuss them with their university before travelling. They are responsible for all costs related to their quarantine and must ensure they have access to essential items like food, water, medication, and heat without leaving quarantine.

To facilitate the quarantine process, students must download the ArriveCAN mobile app and complete their quarantine plan before travelling. They must also submit a quarantine commitment form and, if applicable, a co-arriving family quarantine commitment form. After arriving in Canada, students must take daily self-assessments for COVID-19 symptoms through the ArriveCAN app. It is important to note that students who do not comply with these processes may face applicable charges and fines.

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A valid study visa for a Designated Learning Institute is required to enter Canada

International students intending to enter Canada are required to have a valid study visa for a Designated Learning Institute (DLI). This visa is essential for gaining entry to Canada, especially during the pandemic, when border restrictions are in place.

The Canadian government has implemented measures to control the spread of COVID-19, including mandatory quarantine requirements and testing for all travellers, regardless of vaccination status. International students must adhere to these protocols upon arrival in Canada.

To obtain a valid study visa, students must provide documentation demonstrating their acceptance into a Designated Learning Institute. This proof is a crucial aspect of the visa application process. It is worth noting that some airlines may also request a "Port of Entry" letter from the educational institution confirming that the student's presence in Canada is essential.

In addition to the study visa, students from certain countries may need to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Citizens of countries exempt from the TRV requirement must still acquire an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Canada.

It is important to plan travel arrangements carefully. International students with a study visa should arrive within four weeks before the semester starts. Additionally, they must submit their information to ArriveCAN within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada and report symptoms daily. This submission will generate a confirmation receipt, which must be presented to the Canada Border Services officers upon arrival.

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Students must submit their information to ArriveCAN within 72 hours before arrival and report symptoms daily

International students with a valid study permit for Canada or those approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, may enter Canada for a "non-discretionary or non-optional purpose". However, those with a study permit approved after March 18, 2020, are not exempt from travel restrictions and must wait for them to be lifted before entering the country.

International students must submit their information to ArriveCAN within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada and report symptoms daily. ArriveCAN is available as a mobile app or through an online account. After submitting the necessary information, students will receive a confirmation receipt via email or directly through the app/website. This receipt must be shown to the Canada Border Services officers upon arrival, along with pre-test results, hotel confirmation, and quarantine plans.

Students must take a COVID-19 test before leaving the airport and proceed to their reserved hotel while awaiting the results. They will also receive a COVID-19 At-Home Specimen Collection Kit for their Day-8 test, which must be taken during the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Students can only leave their place of quarantine if they receive a negative result from the Day-8 test and have completed the full quarantine period.

It is important to note that international students must carefully review and adhere to all relevant guidelines and requirements, as the information provided here may not be exhaustive, and the regulations may change over time.

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Certain nationalities require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a type of entry visa that foreign nationals requiring a visa to enter Canada must obtain. On the other hand, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for foreign nationals from countries that are visa-exempt. An eTA is electronically linked to the traveller's passport and is mandatory for most visitors from countries that do not require a TRV. This means that citizens of certain countries must obtain a TRV or eTA to enter Canada.

Citizens of the United States are exempt from obtaining a TRV or eTA. However, Green Card holders in the United States do not need an eTA to enter Canada, regardless of their nationality. Additionally, foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada for specific purposes, such as conducting inspections of flight operation procedures or participating in aviation accident investigations, may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain conditions.

Some of the countries that require an eTA include most European countries, Caribbean countries, Australia, and New Zealand. The eTA application process is done online and costs CAD$7. It is generally a simple process, but some requests may take longer if additional supporting documents are required. Once approved, the eTA is linked to the applicant's passport, and they can then travel to Canada multiple times for short stays.

It is important to note that an eTA does not guarantee entry into Canada. Upon arrival, travellers must present their passports and other documents to a border services officer, who will determine their eligibility for entry. Therefore, it is recommended to check the eligibility requirements and ensure all necessary documentation is in order before travelling to Canada.

Frequently asked questions

International students with a valid study permit or approval for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, may enter Canada for a "non-discretionary or non-optional purpose". Students must undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival and follow a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

International students must take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their scheduled departure time to Canada. A negative test result must be presented before boarding, along with a confirmed booking at a government-authorized hotel. Additionally, travellers must enter their information into ArriveCAN within 72 hours before their arrival.

International students with a valid study permit are exempt from travel restrictions if their presence in Canada is necessary for their continued participation in the programme. This includes situations where online studies are not an option due to internet restrictions or if laboratory work is required.

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