While you are enrolled in studies you may travel and re-enter Canada. You will need to ensure that all of your documentation is up to date before you leave and attempt to re-enter Canada. International students should consider:
Do you have the required documents to travel?
Study permit: Check to see when your study permit will expire. To re-enter Canada as a student, you must have a valid study permit. If your study permit will expire while you are outside of Canada, you will need to apply for a new study permit from outside of Canada and you will not be able to enter Canada until your new study permit application has been approved.
eTA or TRV: Check to see if your eTA or TRV is still valid. Foreign nationals entering Canada are required to have either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV). Students who hold a TRV should ensure it is valid for multiple entries.
Proof of Enrolment: Continuing students should travel with a copy of their verification of enrolment document (VOE) this can be requested via Online Services. If you are travelling over the summer break, you should complete your course registration for the upcoming academic year.
Requesting a VOE
- Login to your Online Services portal
- Click the Requests Tab
- Click Verification of Enrolment
- Click Send to Email (with attention to yourself)
- Select your current term and any future terms you are registered in
- Do not request fees and tuition for future terms to be included
Entering the United States
Students who are only visiting the US and have a valid study permit or work permit, or a valid visitor status in Canada, do not need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to re-enter, you must return by the end of your authorized stay in Canada. If you are on maintained status and need to travel to the United States, please make an appointment with the International Office before traveling.
You do not need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to re-enter Canada only if you meet the following criteria:
- you have a valid study permit or work permit, or hold valid visitor status in Canada, and
- you leave Canada and visit only the United States, and
- you return to Canada by the end of the authorized period of your stay in Canada.
If you are on maintained status and need to travel to the United States, International Office for assistance.
Travelling while waiting for your Study Permit Extension
Students who are waiting to receive a decision on a study permit extension application should not leave Canada. Students can check application processing times on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Travelling while waiting for your Post-Graduation Work Permit
You can leave and re-enter Canada after applying for the post-graduation work permit provided you have a valid TRV or eTA. If you don’t have a valid visitor visa or eTA when you return to Canada, you may not be let back into the country (even if you have a valid post-graduation work permit). Students who applied for the PGWP from inside Canada should have proof they submitted an application before they left Canada.
If you leave and re-enter Canada after applying for your post-graduation work permit, you can still work full-time while you wait for a decision upon your return to Canada provided you meet eligibility requirements to work while waiting for your PGWP to process.