- Documents for International Students
- Taking a Trip Outside of Canada
- Travelling After the End of Studies
- Invitation Letter for Family Members and Friends
- Optional – Advance Declaration Using ArriveCan
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This page has Information for study permit holders who will travel outside of Canada during their time at Carleton. Students travelling to Canada for the first time should look here.
If you plan to travel outside of Canada while you are studying at Carleton, it’s important that you carry correct and current documents so that you can return and continue your studies without interruption.
All international travellers coming to Canada must show proof of their identity. This is usually a passport.
In addition, most people need a travel authorization, which is one of these documents:
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — A number sent via email.
- Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — A counterfoil that is laminated into the passport.
Whether you need an eTA or a TRV depends on the country that issued your passport. Citizens and permanent residents of the United States don’t need either.
Find out if you need a TRV or an eTA to travel to Canada.
Having a TRV or an eTA does not guarantee that you will be admitted into Canada. That decision is always made by the officer of the Canada Border Services Agency who examines you at the Port of Entry.
Documents for International Students
Students sometimes talk about their “student visa”, but there are really two separate documents, with different purposes:
- Your study permit shows that you have temporary resident status in Canada. It authorizes you to stay in Canada and to study, subject to certain conditions. You should apply for a new study permit before your current study permit expires if you need more time to finish your program.
- Your Temporary Resident Visa (or eTA) authorizes you to travel to Canada. You don’t need a valid TRV or eTA to remain in Canada. But if you travel outside of Canada, you can’t return without a valid TRV or eTA, even if your study permit is valid. (There is an exception if you travel only to the United States with a study permit that is valid for the entire duration of your trip.)
A Temporary Resident Visa remains valid for travel up to its expiry date. TRVs are coded as V-1(visitor), S-1 (student) or W-1 (worker), but a visa is not invalidated when the holder’s status in Canada changes.
Renewing a Visa in Canada
When you applied for your first study permit from outside of Canada, your eTA or TRV was automatically issued once your application was approved. The study permit was issued to you when you arrived in Canada.
When you are in Canada, there is a different process for getting new documents.
Step One: Apply to renew your study permit. If you need an eTA, it will automatically be issued to you with the study permit.
Step Two, for students who need a TRV: Apply for a new TRV after you get your new study permit. You can use many of the same supporting documents that you used for your study permit application.
After your visa application is approved, you will receive instructions for sending your passport to the IRCC office in Ottawa.
If possible, it is best to plan ahead with reference to IRCC’s processing times and complete both of these steps before you travel outside of Canada.
Taking a Trip Outside of Canada
You should have the correct documents to enter the country or countries you plan to visit. The ISSO cannot advise on immigration to other countries.
Before leaving Canada, you can check on safety and security issues for your destination(s) at the Canadian Government’s Travel Advice and Advisories.
Returning students are subject to examination by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) upon re-entry to Canada. You should have these documents available to show to the officer:
- Passport
- Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), valid for the duration of your trip; or proof of US citizenship or permanent resident status
- Valid study permit
- Students who don’t have a valid study permit but can show they have applied for a study permit extension may be allowed to enter Canada. However, they do not have maintained status and are not allowed to study or work until the new study permit is issued. (See additional information below.)
- Proof that you are returning for the purpose of studies. This is a Carleton Certificate of Enrolment for a current or upcoming term.
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- Students who travel in the middle of a school term may face additional questions about whether they are actively studying in the current term.
CBSA officers may wish to confirm that the student meets all requirements to enter Canada. This may include an examination related to all or any of the student’s health, criminal or immigration violations, financial means, and intention and ability to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
See: IRCC information for students re-entering Canada.
Visiting the United States
The US Visa Wizard can help you determine which type of visa or authorization is right for you and the purpose of your visit to the United States. You will need to undergo an in-person visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You must book a visa interview appointment online.
Maintained Status and Travel Outside of Canada
If you apply for a study permit extension and your old permit expires while you are waiting for the decision, you have maintained status as a student as long as you remain in Canada. You lose this status when you leave.
You may wish to delay your travel if possible. If you cannot, you may be able to return to Canada if you have a valid visa or eTA. A CBSA officer will make a decision about whether to re-admit you or not. Read about the possible decisions in this situation.
Travelling After the End of Studies
Students often want to travel outside of Canada after completing their studies and before starting to work full-time with their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
They may return to Canada if they have a valid eTA or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Their study permit may remain valid for up to 90 days after they complete their program, even if they are not returning to school. If the study permit has expired or become invalid, they may be allowed to enter Canada as visitors.
If the student applied for their Post-Graduation Work Permit before leaving Canada and were authorized to work without a work permit during processing of the application, that authorization is not affected by leaving Canada. They may still work, provided the work permit application has not been refused in the interim.
If a student’s TRV has expired, and they have applied for a PGWP in Canada, they should delay travel until the PGWP is issued and then apply for a new TRV as a returning worker.
See IRCC information: I’m waiting for my post-graduation work permit. Can I travel outside Canada?
Invitation Letter for Family Members and Friends
Your family or friends may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to travel to Canada to visit you. You can write an invitation letter for them to use as one of the supporting documents for their visa application, to explain the purpose of their visit to Canada. You can write one letter for both of your parents and for any young children who will travel with them.
You aren’t legally responsible for the people you invite, but your letter should be sincere and truthful.
The ISSO’s Letter of Invitation Template shows a suggested format that includes the information that the visa office needs.
- Learn more about applying for a TRV
- Find the Canadian embassy or consulate for your home country
- Information about short-term accommodations in Ottawa
- If you are inviting family to attend your convocation, Carleton Convocation information can be found on the website of the Registrar’s Office.
Optional – Advance Declaration Using ArriveCan
Travellers may make an advance immigration and customs declaration using the ArriveCAN app if they will arrive at one of Canada’s participating airports, which include Ottawa, Toronto-Pearson and Montreal-Trudeau International airports.
Learn more about the advance declaration option at the CBSA website