Travelling to Canada: step by step
Step 1: Check before you make travel plans
Step 3: What to bring
Find out what documents you will need when you travel to Canada and restrictions on what to bring.
Documents to bring
There are important documents you should be sure to have in your carry-on luggage as you travel.
All students
- UBC Proof of Enrolment Letter
As proof you are a current, enrolled student, you must bring a current Letter of Enrolment. This letter should ideally be issued a week before you travel. Download this from your Student Services Centre (SSC) by selecting "Proof of Enrolment Letters" under Grades and Records. If you are not able to get a Letter of Enrollment from the SSC, contact an Academic Advisor or graduate program staff for a customized letter of enrolment. - ArriveCAN receipt (optional)
You can show the ArriveCAN receipt on your phone or bring a printout. - Passport
Always keep your passport with you when travelling. - Visa or eTA
Depending on your country of citizenship, you will need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — US citizens and US permanent residents are exempt. - Proof of health insurance
Bring proof of health insurance. This might include your MSP card, virtual iMED card, Global Campus Health Plan confirmation, or other basic insurance. See Step 2 for details. If your iMED card does not arrive in time for your travels, you can show them the iMED page with details on coverage. - Your spouse/common law partner and/or childrens’ documents (if applicable and you are travelling together)
Bring relevant documents for your family, such as Letters of Introduction for their study or work permits (if applicable), proof of relationship, their passport with valid TRV or eTA, and proof of health insurance. Check additional documentation you may need when travelling with a minor.
Current students with study permits
In addition to the above list, all students continuing to study at UBC who already have a study permit must bring with them:
- Study permit
You need to have your original, valid study permit with you. - Co-op work permit or work permit approval letter (if applicable)
You should also bring a letter from your co-op office or program. If you have one, you should also bring a current, valid job offer. - Proof of funds for yourself and any accompanying dependents
We recommend your documents be issued within 30 days before traveling. See proof of means of financial support for sample documents. If you have paid for tuition, get proof of payment from your Student Services Centre (SSC) by selecting "Tuition History" under Finances. There is no specific minimum amount required. However, ideally you would show you have access to:- If you applied for your study permit on or before December 31, 2023: at least $10,000 for cost-of-living for one year, plus $4000 for an accompanying family member, and $3000 per additional member
- If you applied for your study permit on or after January 1, 2024: at least $20,645 for cost-of-living for one year in 2024. The amount required for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have. The cost-of-living amount will be adjusted each year based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off.
- Medical exam, if required
If you've been in a designated country for more than 6 months in the past year, are a medical student or will work in jobs which require a medical exam, bring a copy of your medical exam ('e-medical') completed within 12 months before travelling.
New students and current students who need a new study permit
In addition to the above list, if you are a new student, or a current student who applied for a new study permit from outside of Canada, you’ll also need to bring:
- A Letter of Introduction
This is your electronic study permit approval, or Letter of Introduction. - Your UBC Letter of Acceptance (new students only)
This is also known as your offer letter. If you are an undergraduate student, you can download this in your Student Service Centre (SSC) under Admissions. If you are a graduate student, you can download it from eVision. - Proof of funds for yourself and any accompanying dependents
We recommend you bring copies of the financial documents you provided in your study permit application. In addition, we recommend you to bring recent financial documents which are issued within 30 days before traveling and proof of tuition payment, if you have paid for tuition. See proof of means of financial support for sample documents. Get proof of tuition payment from your Student Services Centre (SSC) by selecting "Tuition History" under Finances. The minimum expected proof of funds depends on when you applied for your study permit:- If you applied for your study permit on or before December 31, 2023: at least $10,000 for cost-of-living for one year, plus $4000 for an accompanying family member, and $3000 per additional member, as well as your first year of tuition fees and travel expenses.
- If you applied for your study permit on or after January 1, 2024: at least $20,645 for cost-of-living for one year in 2024, plus your first year of tuition fees and travel expenses. The amount required for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have. The cost-of-living amount will be adjusted each year based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off.
- Valid medical exam, if required
Bring a copy of your medical exam (e-medical) if you required one for your study permit application, or get a medical exam if your situation changed since you applied and you now require one. Your medical exam should be completed within 12 months before travelling. If it has been more than 12 months since you took your exam, you must take another medical exam before travelling. - English language test results, if you have them
If you provided English language test results in your study permit application, bring a copy of your results, if applicable.
Other helpful documents to carry on the plane
- Driver’s license
- Medical or immunization records, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination(s)
- Marriage certificate and notarized copies
- Documents for dependents accompanying you: passports, birth certificates, children’s immunization and school records
- National identity document from your country
What to pack
There are some things you cannot bring to Canada or will need to declare when you arrive, such as cash over CAD $10,000 and food or animal products.
Refer to Canada Border Services Agency’s visitors to Canada and restricted and prohibited goods pages for details.
Learn what to do if you plan to travel with your pet(s).
Also, we recommend you bring snacks in case of a long wait upon arrival.
Medication
Keep your medication in your carry-on bag in its original packaging, along with a prescription from the doctor. If you are planning on bringing medication or health products with you, check that the quantity or type is not restricted.
It’s a good idea to bring a copy of your medical records for you and the family members who travel with you. If you have a chronic medical condition, have your doctor write a short medical history, preferably in English, for your new doctor in Vancouver. Bring records including the dates of any immunizations and medical tests you have done.
This information is accurate as of Tue, Jul 11, 2023, and is subject to change. Follow the latest updates for any travel restrictions due to COVID-19.
