While you travel to Canada

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, it is very important to bring a current Letter of Enrollment. This letter should ideally be issued the week 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.
• Quarantine plan documentation
  Bring the documents relating to your quarantine preparation (unvaccinated travellers only).
• ArriveCAN receipt
  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.
• COVID-19 pre-arrival test result (unvaccinated travellers only)
  Bring a paper or electronic copy of your COVID-19 test result and official translation if your results are not available in English or French.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, if applicable
  If you’ve been vaccinated, bring digital or paper proof of vaccination as well as an original certified translation if it is not available in English or French.

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 official, 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
  IRCC now requires that you show proof of funds at the border or airport for yourself and any accompanying dependents. We recommend your documents be issued within 30 days before traveling. There is no specific minimum amount required, however, ideally you would show you have access to at least $10,000 for one year of living expenses, with additional funds for dependents. 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.
• 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
  IRCC now requires that you show proof of funds at the border or airport for yourself and any accompanying dependents. We recommend your documents be issued within 30 days of traveling. In addition, we recommend you bring copies of the financial documents you provided in your study permit application. Your current documents could include proof of your tuition payment plus a minimum of $10,000 for living expenses, with additional funds for dependents. See proof of means of financial support for sample documents. Get proof of payment from your Student Services Centre (SSC) by selecting "Tuition History" under Finances.
• 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 of 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
• 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

You will also need to show documentation to airline agents prior to being permitted to board your flight, who may not have in-depth knowledge of Canadian immigration laws or the current travel restrictions. If you should be eligible to travel and have issues boarding your flight, firmly request that the airline staff contact CBSA to confirm your eligibility to travel—airlines have a direct phone number for this purpose. 

You might need to show airline staff the ArriveCAN receipt before being allowed to check-in. If you or your accompanying dependents are not fully vaccinated, you must provide a COVID-19 test result to airline staff before being allowed to board your flight.

Make sure you also know how to get to your place of quarantine upon arrival. Tips and information are provided in the previous step.

Register for your on-arrival test before travelling to Canada. There is no fee for on-arrival testing.

If you are fully vaccinated, you may be randomly selected for testing. As of February 28, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to quarantine while waiting for the on arrival test result.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you must take an on-arrival COVID-19 test.

Some travellers are exempt from the arrival test.

Collect your Day-8 COVID-19 test kit

As of July 5, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from this test.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you will need to pick up a COVID-19 test kit at the airport or land border which you must later complete on day 8 of your quarantine as per the instructions you will be given. There is no fee for the Day-8 test.

Next

After you arrive