Travel & re-entry into Canada
If you want to travel and return to Canada during your studies here, ensure your documents are up-to-date.
Key points
- Be mindful of when your documents expire
- You need proper documents to re-enter Canada if you leave
- You must have a valid TRV or eTA (as applicable to your situation) if you want to travel and return to Canada during your studies
Check the expiration dates of your immigration documents
- Before you travel, check the expiration dates of your documents.
- Renew them if necessary.
- It's best to stay in Canada while an immigration document extension is being processed.
- Avoid travel if your documents will expire while you are outside of Canada.
Important: If your study permit will expire while you are outside Canada, contact your advisor before travelling. You may apply for a study permit while outside of Canada, but it will not grant maintained status and you will not be able to return to Canada until it is approved.
If you have a TRV
If you plan to leave (and come back to) Canada during your studies, you must have a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to re-enter Canada. Please note that the TRV does not grant permission to study.
Renew your TRV while you are a student
- Log in to your IRCC account.
- Select Apply to come to Canada; a new page will open.
- Choose the option I do not have a Personal Reference Code.
- Select Visitor visa, study and/or work permit to determine your eligibility.
Complete the questionnaire and this will create your personal checklist for the application you are submitting. You should see the following:
- IMM5257 (TRV) Complete the form, validate and save it locally onto your computer. Upload the form onto your IRCC secure account.
- Photo (scan & upload a recent photograph 35mm x 45mm)
- Passport (scan & upload your passport, make sure you include the main page with all your information and any other pages that have entry/exit stamps)
- Study permit – scan & upload the hard copy of your study permit
- Proof of funds: you will need to show you have enough funds to cover one year tuition fees plus living expenses for one year. You can use the ones you submitted for your study permit renewal.
- Your PAL or proof of PAL exemption.
- Proof of next term's enrolment – combine the following documents as one PDF:
- Letter of attestation: get it from your Student Centre
- Letter from supervisor (if required, use the same one that you used for the study permit).
- Concordia University Offer of Admission (all pages)
- Copy of transcript – this would be the unofficial transcript.
Once the documents have been uploaded you will be asked to review the application, sign it electronically and submit the application and pay the required fee.
Once your application is approved you will receive instructions on how and where to mail your passport in order for your new TRV to be added to your passport.
If you have an eTA
Your eTA is valid for five years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
See also
Review the Immigration and citizenship page for the latest travel updates to Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
