There’s no required date to arrive in Canada before your studies begin. However, we strongly advise against travelling before your study permit application has been approved and you’ve received your port of entry (POE) letter of introduction. Waiting for a study permit in Canada after submitting an application abroad can be very complicated.

Please note:

• You must have a valid study permit to study in Canada.
• You are not permitted to work on or off campus until your program officially starts.

Before you travel, read the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) information on how to prepare for your arrival in Canada.

To travel to Canada for your studies, you must have three types of immigration documents:

• Documents to study in Canada
• Documents to enter Canada
• Supporting documents to present to the border officer on arrival to demonstrate the purpose of your entry into Canada

Bring these documents in your carry-on luggage. You’ll need to show them before you leave or on arrival in Canada.

Documents to study in Canada

If you require a study permit to study in Canada, bring one of the following documents:

• A valid port of entry letter of introduction. This is proof that your study permit application has been approved. You’ll receive your study permit on arrival in Canada.
• A valid study permit (if this isn’t your first time entering Canada as a student and you’ve already received a study permit).

If you’re a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, or a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon, and you’re planning to apply for a study permit on arrival in Canada, read the IRCC information on applying for a study permit and have all the documents required.

Documents to enter Canada

To travel to Canada, you’ll need one of the following:

• A valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
• A valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Whether you require a TRV or an eTA depends on your country of citizenship. Check if you need a visa or eTA to travel to Canada.

If you’ve submitted your initial study permit application from outside Canada and it’s been approved, IRCC will automatically issue you either a TRV or eTA. You don’t need to submit a separate application.

Note: U.S. citizens are visa exempt and don’t require an entry visa or an eTA to travel to Canada. 

Supporting documents to present on arrival

Keep the following documents in your carry-on luggage to present to the border officer on arrival, to help confirm the purpose of your entry into Canada:

On your arrival in Canada, the border officer will review your documents and make the final decision on whether you’ll be admitted into the country. If this is the first time you’re entering Canada as a new student, present your letter of introduction at the border and you’ll be directed to a secondary immigration desk, where your study permit will be issued.

Important: Present your letter of introduction and obtain your study permit at your first point of entry. For example, if you’re arriving in Toronto, then travelling to Ottawa, complete all immigration formalities and obtain your study permit in Toronto.

Before leaving the immigration desk, carefully review your study permit and request corrections right away if needed. Make sure your personal details are accurate and that the permit includes a statement authorizing you to work on and off campus, if you’re eligible.

Note: If there are any errors on your study permit and you don’t request to have them corrected right away, it can take several months to have the corrections made later.

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs). While we aim to keep it accurate, it could change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.