Lana Oconnell
International students who want to study in Canada need to meet certain requirements and have the necessary documents before they travel. Students must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction showing approval for a study permit, unless they are enrolled in a short-term program for less than 6 months. Arriving up to four weeks before the start of their studies is considered reasonable, and students must be prepared to show relevant documents to airline and border officers, who will make the final decision on their entry into Canada. Students should also be aware of local rules when transiting through airports en route to Canada and check for the latest updates on travel restrictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Required documents | port of entry letter of introduction, valid letter of acceptance from school, valid electronic travel authorization (eTA), valid visitor visa (temporary resident visa), valid green card, valid travel document, study permit |
| Inadmissible reasons | Involvement in criminal activity, human rights violations, organized crime, security, health or financial reasons |
| Work permission | Cannot work in Canada until beginning full-time studies and meeting requirements |
| Work requirements | Social Insurance Number (SIN) |
| COVID-19 requirements | As of October 1, 2022, travellers are not required to be vaccinated, take pre-entry or post-arrival tests, quarantine, use the ArriveCan app, or wear a mask on planes and trains |
| Arrival timing | Arriving up to four weeks before the start of studies is considered reasonable |
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What You'll Learn
Required documents for international students entering Canada
International students must ensure they have all the required documents before travelling to Canada. The following documents are required for international students entering Canada:
- A valid study permit or a letter of introduction from the visa office that shows your study permit was approved. This letter also has your permit reference number, which is used to issue your study permit.
- A copy of a valid letter of acceptance from your school.
- Letters of reference or any other documents the visa office instructed you to bring.
- A valid electronic travel authorization (eTA), a valid visitor visa (temporary resident visa), a valid green card, or other valid travel documents. If you have a valid eTA, it will be linked to the passport used to apply for your study permit.
- A Social Insurance Number (SIN) if you plan to work in Canada or access government programs and benefits. You can apply for a SIN online via the eSIN portal, at a SIN clinic, or by booking an appointment at a Service Canada Centre.
In addition to these documents, international students must also meet other basic requirements, such as having enough money for their stay and, if necessary, having the results of a valid immigration medical exam. It is also recommended that students travel to Canada as early as possible after receiving their documents to avoid the busy travel periods in late August, early September, and early January.
Upon arrival in Canada, international students must meet with a border services officer, who will ensure that all requirements are met. Students may experience longer border processing wait times to complete the necessary paperwork. It is important to review all the information on the study permit before leaving the student processing desk and to get a stamp on your passport as proof of entry.
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COVID-19 measures and travel restrictions
As of the most recent update on November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents of Canada who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours are not required to present a negative PCR test result. This exemption covers accompanying children under 12 and those who are unvaccinated due to medical reasons. From this date, the list of vaccines recognised by Canada was updated to match the World Health Organisation's emergency use list. Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN vaccines were added to the list, which already includes vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
From January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers could only enter Canada if they were covered by an exemption. Exempt unvaccinated travellers were subject to testing, quarantine, and other entry requirements.
As of January 5, 2022, all travellers flying from China, Hong Kong, and Macao who are 2 years old or older required a negative COVID-19 test result from no more than 2 days before departure (molecular test or antigen test with documentation to show it was monitored by a telehealth service or an accredited laboratory or testing provider), or a positive COVID-19 test from 10 to 90 days before departure. This measure was extended to April 5, 2023.
As of October 1, 2022, the ArriveCan app is optional for all travellers. If you are flying to Canada and will first arrive in Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal airports, you can submit your customs and immigration declaration in advance (up to 72 hours before your scheduled arrival) through ArriveCan to save time at the airport.
International students should be aware that the COVID-19 measures and travel restrictions introduced by the Government of Canada can change from day to day. It is important to keep up to date with these changes by consulting official government websites regularly.
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Work eligibility for international students in Canada
International students in Canada who are enrolled full-time in an academic program may be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit. As of November 8, 2024, international students are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week while school is in session, with no set number of hours defined as 'full-time' work. Students in their final term of study may be eligible to work while taking a part-time course load. However, students on authorised leave or switching schools cannot work off-campus and can only return to work once they resume their studies.
To be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Be in the last semester of your study program and not need a full course load to complete your program
During scheduled breaks, international students may be permitted to work off-campus full-time, provided they maintain a full course load in the term before and after the break. The IRCC limits off-campus work during scheduled breaks to 150 consecutive days, even if the break is longer. Taking all scheduled breaks into account, students may only work off-campus full-time for a total of 180 days per calendar year.
To work in Canada, a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required. This nine-digit number is necessary for payroll processing and informing the Canadian Revenue Agency of earnings. International students must apply for a SIN before receiving any earnings or benefits.
International students may also be eligible to work on-campus with a valid study permit. There is no time limit for on-campus work, and students can work full-time or unlimited hours. To be eligible for on-campus work, students must be enrolled full-time in a degree, diploma, or certificate program with a valid study permit that authorises on-campus work.
Students must check their study permits for any conditions or restrictions on the types of jobs or industries they can work in. For example, students who did not undergo a medical exam by a panel physician when applying for their initial study permit may be prohibited from working in close contact with people, such as in childcare, agriculture, or healthcare.
Additionally, international students can explore opportunities like internships, co-operative education, and co-op work placements, which may be paid positions that offset the financial cost of their education. However, a co-op work permit is required in addition to a study permit for any work component that is a mandatory part of their program.
It is important to note that unauthorized work is an offence in Canada, and students must ensure they understand their work eligibility before seeking employment opportunities.
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Inadmissibility criteria for international students
International students must meet several requirements to be eligible to enter Canada. Failure to meet these requirements can result in inadmissibility, which means that the student is not allowed to enter the country. Here are the key inadmissibility criteria that international students should be aware of:
Criminal Activity
One of the primary inadmissibility criteria for international students is involvement in criminal activity. Canada conducts a thorough screening of each applicant's criminal background. If you have a prior criminal record or pending charges, you may be deemed criminally inadmissible to Canada. This includes offences committed outside Canada that are also considered offences within the country, such as serious criminality or indictable offences. Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, including cannabis, can also lead to inadmissibility for serious criminality. It is important to note that even if you have a single summary offence, you may still need permission to enter Canada.
Human Rights Violations
Inadmissibility criteria also include involvement in human rights violations or organized criminality. If you have been found inadmissible on these grounds, you may request a declaration of relief from the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Security, Health, and Financial Reasons
In addition to criminal and human rights-related inadmissibility, international students may be denied entry to Canada for security, health, or financial reasons. This could include factors that pose a potential risk to Canadian society, such as health issues or financial instability.
To ensure a smooth entry process, it is recommended that international students consult with a Canadian immigration attorney to address any potential inadmissibility issues before travelling. Additionally, having the required documents, such as a valid passport, visa, and proof of acceptance from an educational institution, is crucial for a successful entry into Canada as an international student.
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How to extend your study permit
International students can enter Canada if they meet all the requirements listed by the Canadian government. Students must apply for a study permit and ensure it does not expire before their arrival.
To extend your study permit, follow these steps:
- If you are a new student at UBC, you must include a valid Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with your study permit application. From January 22, 2025, this will apply to most new students submitting applications from inside Canada.
- Current UBC students who are continuing in the same level of study (undergraduate or graduate degree level) are exempt from the PAL.
- If you are an undergraduate continuing in the same program or a master's degree student starting a doctoral degree, select "Yes, I meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter".
- If you took a break from your studies or studied at another institution, contact International Student Advising for support.
- Extend your Medical Services Plan (MSP) and your Social Insurance Number (SIN) if you have one.
- Meet the eligibility criteria and have a valid SIN to work in Canada.
- Apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) if your country of citizenship requires one.
- If your contact information changes after submitting your application, update it via IRCC's webform.
- Sign up for the new Canvas application review course to learn about the required documents and how to fill out the form.
As of November 8, 2024, you must be enrolled at the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) named on your study permit. Additionally, from this date, you can no longer change schools on the same study permit. If you wish to change schools, you must apply for a new study permit by extending your current one.
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Frequently asked questions
To enter Canada as an international student, you must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction showing that you were approved for a study permit. You must also have a copy of a valid letter of acceptance from your school, letters of reference, a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA), a valid visitor visa, a valid green card, or another valid travel document.
International students must meet basic requirements, including having a valid immigration medical exam and convincing an immigration officer that they have ties that will take them back to their home country. Students must also prove that they will leave Canada at the end of their visit and have enough money for their stay.
It is recommended that international students travel to Canada as early as possible after receiving their documents to avoid the busy travel periods in late August, early September, and early January. Arriving up to four weeks before the start of studies is considered reasonable.
