Travelling as an International Student

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is sometimes called a ‘visitor visa’ and is a counterfoil stamp placed in your passport.  This travel document is required for citizens of visa-required countries to enter Canada. 

You can find out if you need a TRV to travel to Canada here.

A TRV is required to enter Canada but does not have to be valid once you are in Canada.  However, you may want to keep your TRV valid in case an unexpected trip comes up.

A study permit allows you to stay and study inside Canada.  It must be valid at all times while you are in Canada as an international student.

Initial Study Permit:  You do not need to apply for a TRV when you apply for an initial study permit from outside of Canada.  If your study permit application is approved, you will automatically be issued a TRV.

Study Permit Extension:  When you apply to extend your study permit, a TRV is not automatically issued.  In this case, you must wait until you receive the new study permit, then apply to renew  your TRV. 

• Note: citizens from some visa-required countries may automatically receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when their study permit extension applications are approved. Discover if this policy applies to you here.

PGWP Application:  When you apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from inside Canada, a TRV is not automatically issued.  In this case, you must wait until you receive the PGWP, then apply to renew your TRV.

• Note: citizens from some visa-required countries may automatically receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when their PGWP applications are approved. Discover if this policy applies to you here.

You should apply for a TRV well in advance of any travel plans. Be cautious about booking non-refundable tickets before you receive your TRV. The published processing times do not include the time it takes to mail your passport to receive the counterfoil stamp; this can take an additional 1-2 months.

• Check out the following resources to help you apply for a TRV:

  • TRV Application Guide

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.  If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA.

You can find out if you need an eTA to travel to Canada here.

Students are required to carry their passport, valid Study Permit, and a valid TRV or eTA (depending on your country of residence) to re-enter Canada. Additionally, we recommend students carry the following documents:

• Unofficial NAIT transcript (my.nait.ca > Open Self-Service > Academic Records > Unofficial Transcripts)

• Current Confirmation of Enrollment letter (my.nait.ca > Open Self-Service > Manage Classes > Confirmation of Enrollment)

• Proof of financial sufficiency

• Approved Authorized Leave form and supporting documents, if applicable

NOTE:  if you will be travelling only to the USA or St. Peirre and Miquelon, you may be able to re-enter even with an expired TRV if you meet the following requirements:

• you will only visit the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon; and
• you will return to Canada before the end of your Study Permit will expire.

An officer will confirm whether you meet all the requirements before allowing you to come back to Canada. If you visit any country other than those listed above, you will need a new TRV.

No. Each entry into Canada is at the discretion of the CBSA officer at the Port of Entry, and all travelers to Canada must meet the entry requirements. It is important to respond to all questions you are asked honestly and ensure you have the required documents to re-enter.

Before travelling to Canada, please review the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) guidelines to learn what items you can and cannot bring to Canada.

If your current Study Permit is expired, and you have not yet received a decision on your Study Permit Extension application, you will have maintained status. Be aware that maintained status only applies as long as you remain inside Canada.  If you leave Canada while on maintained status and have a valid TRV or eTA, the CBSA officer may let you re-enter as a visitor. However, you will not be permitted to study or work until your new Study Permit has been received.

Because there is a high risk of being denied re-entry into Canada while on maintained status, we recommend you wait until you have a valid study permit before travelling.

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 on your PGWP. Leaving and re-entering Canada doesn’t stop you from working full-time while you wait. However, you must ensure that you have a valid TRV or eTA to re-enter Canada.

Yes! Unless there is a specific condition written on your Study Permit that prohibits travel within Canada, you are allowed to travel anywhere inside of the country. This permission to explore Canada applies even if you are on maintained status.