Travelling outside of Canada during your studies
You must have a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to re-enter Canada if you’re planning to travel outside of Canada during your studies. U.S. citizens are exempt from a TRV or eTA.
Before making any travel plans, review the requirements for travelling outside of Canada and the Travelling to Canada Guide for your return.
If you get a new passport
If you have received a new passport or you will renew your passport while abroad and your TRV is in your previous passport, you can continue using your TRV until it expires. You will need to travel with both your old passport with the TRV and your new passport.
TRV validity and change of status
TRVs are valid until the expiry date listed on the document, unlike study permits, which become automatically invalid 90 days after your letter of completion first becomes available.
You can also continue using your TRV if it says ‘visitor’ (V-1), ‘student’ (S-1) or ‘worker’ (W-1), even if that is not your status. For example if you previously had a study permit and now have a Post-Graduation Work Permit, your TRV is normally valid if it has not expired.
As of July 2021, you may be issued a TRV with a ‘V-1’ code, even if you applied for a study or work permit. This is not an error and you can use your TRV until the expiry date.
Travelling to the United States
You don’t need a valid TRV to re-enter Canada if you meet all of the following:
- Have a valid study permit or work permit, or hold valid visitor status in Canada
- Leave Canada to visit only the United States
- Return to Canada by the end of the authorized period of your stay in Canada
You can reference the TRV exemptions from the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations Section 190(3)(f).
In addition, be sure to meet US immigration requirements. Note that we cannot provide US immigration advice.
