Lori Meadows
International students with plans to travel outside Canada and then re-enter must ensure they have the correct documentation. Students need to check that their documents are up to date and renew them if necessary before travelling. Students with a valid study permit or work permit or valid visitor status in Canada who only visit the United States do not need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to re-enter. However, they must return before the end of their authorised period of stay in Canada. Students must also meet other criteria, including having a valid passport or travel document, attending a designated learning institution (DLI), and having a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Re-entry requirements | A valid study permit, approval for a study permit or study permit extension, a valid passport or travel document, attendance at a designated learning institution (DLI), a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA), and compliance with all other requirements for entering Canada. |
| Exceptions | If visiting only the United States or St-Pierre and Miquelon, a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is not required for re-entry if returning by the end of the authorized period of stay. |
| Inadmissibility | Involvement in criminal activity, human rights violations, or organized crime; security, health, or financial concerns can render individuals inadmissible. |
| Document expiration | Check expiration dates and renew documents if necessary before traveling. It is recommended to renew immigration documents before leaving Canada whenever possible. |
| Support | Contact International Student Advising for support if your documents will expire while outside Canada or if you have applied for an extension. |
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What You'll Learn
Required documents to re-enter Canada
International students can re-enter Canada if they have specific documents and meet particular criteria. It is important to check document expiration dates and renew them if necessary before travelling. It is generally best to renew immigration documents before leaving Canada.
To re-enter Canada, international students need to show the following documents to a border services officer at the port of entry:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- A valid study permit or approval for a study permit/study permit extension.
- A port of entry letter of introduction from the visa office that approved the study permit. This letter has the permit reference number.
- A copy of a valid letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution (DLI).
- Any letters of reference or other documents requested by the visa office.
- A valid electronic travel authorization (eTA), or a valid visitor visa (temporary resident visa), or another valid travel document, depending on the specific requirements for the individual.
- Valid immigration medical exam results (if required).
- Proof of financial means to support the stay in Canada.
If international students have only visited the United States or St-Pierre and Miquelon and have valid visitor status in Canada, they do not need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to re-enter, provided they return before the authorized period of stay ends.
It is also important to note that some individuals may be deemed inadmissible to Canada for various reasons, including involvement in criminal activity, human rights violations, or organized crime, as well as security, health, or financial reasons.
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Extending a study permit
International students can return to Canada if they have a valid study permit or approval for a study permit or study permit extension. They must also meet other criteria, such as having a valid passport or travel document, attending a designated learning institution (DLI), and having a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Now, here is some information about extending a study permit:
To extend your study permit, you must apply online using the IRCC secure account. You must submit your application at least 30 days before your original permit's expiry date, and you can continue studying under the same conditions until a decision is made, as long as you remain in Canada. Your study permit cannot be extended beyond your passport's expiry date.
If you are in Canada and leave as a student on maintained status, you will lose your ability to study upon your return until your application is approved. If you are outside of Canada, you may still be eligible to apply for a study permit when you arrive at a port of entry.
If you are applying from outside Canada, you will need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of British Columbia, with some students being exempt. The financial requirements for study permits have increased as of 2024, with the minimum cost-of-living requirement now at $20,635. This amount will be adjusted annually based on Statistics Canada's low-income cut-off.
If you change institutions, you must apply for a study permit extension for your new institution, and most students need to receive the new permit before starting their studies there. If you are already in Canada with a valid study permit, you must enroll at a school with DLI status.
Other Considerations
- Update your learning institution information in MyAccount if your study permit is approved.
- If your contact information changes after submitting your application, update it via IRCC's webform.
- If you have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), extend it if necessary.
- If your country of citizenship requires it, apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to travel to Canada.
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Inadmissibility
International students with a valid study permit or approval for a study permit or extension may be allowed to re-enter Canada. However, some people are deemed "inadmissible" and refused entry under Canadian immigration law. A Canadian immigration officer will decide if you can enter Canada when you apply for a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
There are several reasons why someone may be deemed inadmissible and refused entry to Canada. These include:
Criminal Activity
If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may be deemed inadmissible for serious criminality. This includes driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Canada and the United States share criminal history information via travel documents to ensure the safety of its inhabitants.
Security and Health Reasons
Human Rights Violations
Involvement in human rights violations or organized crime can also result in inadmissibility. This includes being a senior official in a government engaged in gross human rights violations or subject to international sanctions.
Financial Reasons
Financial reasons can also make a person inadmissible. This includes not having enough money for your stay or not convincing an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit.
If you are deemed inadmissible, there may still be options to overcome your inadmissibility and enter Canada. These include applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation. It is important to note that each case is different, and seeking advice from a qualified immigration service is recommended.
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Working while studying
International students in Canada are allowed to work part-time off-campus without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. These include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and being in the last semester of your study program. Students can work a maximum of 24 hours per week off-campus, and working more than this is a violation of the study permit conditions.
If you are part of a co-op program at a college or university, you can apply for a co-op work permit if you have a valid study permit, and working is integrated into your study program. Your co-op or internship must be 50% or less of your total program of study.
To work on-campus, you must have a remark on your study permit authorizing you to do so. If your study permit does not have this remark, you must request an amendment and then apply for a SIN from Service Canada before you can start working.
Working in Canada while studying can help you develop business contacts and gain practical experience for the future. It may also help you immigrate to Canada after you graduate, as many federal and provincial immigration programs value candidates with Canadian education and work experience. After completing your education, you can obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain Canadian work experience, which may enable you to work in Canada for up to three years.
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Immigration medical exam
International students can re-enter Canada if they have a valid study permit or approval for a study permit or extension. They must also meet the following criteria:
- Have a valid passport or travel document
- Attend a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Have a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- Meet all other requirements for entering Canada
If international students have only been to the United States or St-Pierre and Miquelon and return to Canada before the end of their authorized period of stay, they may be allowed to re-enter. They must show a border services officer that they meet the requirements.
Now, here is some information about the immigration medical exam:
All immigrants to Canada must undergo a medical exam to ensure they do not have any health conditions that could potentially impact their ability to reside in the country. The exam is valid for 12 months from the day it is taken and must be valid upon entry to Canada. If an exam expires before entry to Canada, it must be retaken, even if the letter of introduction is still valid.
The medical exam includes a review of medical and mental health records. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) lists several conditions that are considered a health risk, including inactive tuberculosis. If inactive tuberculosis is found, the individual will be required to undergo medical surveillance in Canada to ensure proper treatment. Other conditions that may lead to a medical refusal include those that could potentially infect others or have excessive associated costs.
If an individual is denied entry to Canada on medical grounds, they may receive a Procedural Fairness Letter, allowing them to respond to the medical inadmissibility allegations. Moving to Canada with a pre-existing condition can be challenging, and a failed medical exam does not guarantee that an applicant will never be able to immigrate to Canada. However, it can slow down the process and involve a significant amount of research and paperwork.
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Frequently asked questions
International students need the following documents to re-enter Canada: a valid passport or travel document, a valid study permit or approval for a study permit/extension, and either a valid visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA).
You may still be allowed to re-enter Canada if you have only been to the United States or St-Pierre and Miquelon and return before the end of your authorized stay.
If your documents expire while you are outside Canada, contact International Student Advising before travelling for support.
If you have applied for a study permit extension and are waiting to receive it, you can travel to the US without a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) as long as you return to Canada before the end of your authorized stay.
Yes, some people are deemed "inadmissible" and are not allowed to enter Canada. This includes those involved in criminal activity, human rights violations, or organized crime, as well as those who pose security, health, or financial risks.
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