Step 1: Check if you're eligible
Step 3: Prepare your quarantine (self-isolation) plan
Step 4: While you travel to Canada
Make sure you bring the right documents and know what to expect at the airport or border
There are important documents you should be sure to have in your carry-on luggage as you travel.
In addition to the above list, all students continuing to study at UBC who already have a study permit must bring with them:
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:
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 the Canada Border Services Agency’s guidelines for travelling to Canada.
Also, we recommend you bring snacks in case of a long wait upon arrival.
Keep your medication in your carry-on bag in its original packaging, along with a prescription from the doctor. If you use traditional medicines or special herbal remedies, confirm they are 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.
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. You must provide a COVID-19 molecular 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.
When you first enter Canada, you’ll need to get your study permit. For example, if you arrive in Toronto and then take another flight to Vancouver, you must get your study permit in Toronto.
In addition to following the listed steps below, you can reduce your wait times by voluntarily providing some information through the new Voluntary Compliance Portal (VC Portal) which is a pilot project UBC requested between CBSA and the YVR Airport Authority. Your study permit will be printed before you arrive, thereby reducing wait times and limiting congestion for enhanced safety through the arrival process.
Eligibility requirements for the VC Portal:
The VC Portal is only for study permits at this time. If you have also been approved for a co-op work permit, you can still submit your study permit details. You will not be negatively impacted if you do not use the VC Portal, and using it does not guarantee the CBSA officer will allow you to enter Canada. This is a voluntary option for faster processing and your information will be sent only to the CBSA at YVR.
If you arrive by car, there are no kiosks. Answer the officer’s questions, let them know you need a study permit, then proceed to secondary examination for your study permit.
Have all your documents ready to present on arrival. Even if you have a valid study permit, you will need to address an officer’s concerns that your travel to Canada is essential and that you have made adequate quarantine plans.
As of February 22, 2021, you will need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival, whether at the airport or land border crossing.
Register for your on-arrival test before travelling to Canada.
If you are fully vaccinated and will travel after August 9, 2021, you will not be required to complete the on arrival COVID-19 test or the Day-8 test, and do not need to register in advance. However you may be randomly selected for testing.
The airports accepting international flights until August 9, 2021, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, will have onsite COVID-19 testing at the airport.
The Douglas (Peace Arch) crossing has on-site COVID-19 testing. See arrival testing at the border for additional ports of entry with testing stations.
At the airport or border, you will be asked for your quarantine contact information. If you have no access to phone or internet, you can give the phone number of your federally-approved hotel.
As of February 22, 2021, at the airport or land border, you will need to pick up a COVID-19 test kit which you must later complete on day 8 of your quarantine as per the instructions you will be given.
Register your test kit using the information provided in your kit on your first day in Canada. If arriving in Toronto, you only need to register for the on-arrival COVID-19 molecular test.
As of July 5, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from this test.
This information is accurate as of July 26, 2021, and is subject to change. Follow the latest updates on travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and the IRCC international students COVID-19 page.
