International Education
Documentation
This page provides general information regarding the documentation necessary for you to enter Canada. Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada is responsible for all forms of documentation necessary for international students to enter Canada. For more information, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Study in Canada
website.
Depending on your country of origin and length of study, as an international student you may require one or all of the following forms of documentation:
- An Electronic Travel Authorization
- A Temporary Resident Visa
- A Study Permit
It is your responsibility to contact the Canadian government office nearest you to ensure that you obtain and complete all the necessary documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Electronic Travel Authorization ?
If you will be traveling to Canada by air and depending upon your home country you may need an to enter Canada. You can find a list of countries that require eTAs on the Government of Canada’s Do I need an eTA or a visa page. To find out more information on the , visit the Government of Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization web page.
Note: U.S. Citizens travelling to Canada by air do not need an to enter Canada. However, proper identification will still be required at the Canadian border.
Do I need a Temporary Resident Visa?
Depending upon your home country you may need a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada. You can find a list of countries that require temporary resident visas on the Government of Canada’s Find Out If You Need An Electronic Travel Assessment (eTA) or a Visitor Visa page. Click your citizenship to find out what travel documents you may need. To find out more information on the Temporary Resident Visa, visit the Government of Canada’s What is a Temporary Resident Visa web page.
Note: U.S. Citizens do not need a temporary resident visa to entre Canada. However, proper identification will still be required at the Canadian border.
Do I need a Study Permit?
Study permit requirements depend upon the length of your study program. Please consult the table below for general study permit requirement information.
| Length of Study Program | Study Permit Requirement |
|---|---|
| My study program is less than 6 months | No, a study permit is not required |
| My study program is more than 6 months | Yes, a study permit is required |
How do I obtain a study permit?
Study Permits are the responsibility of the Government of Canada and are issued by Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada. Visit Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada’s Get a Study Permit website for detailed information including eligibility, documentation, and application requirements.
What is the Student Partners Program (SPP)?
The SPP streamlines the visa application process for international students who wish study in Canada from both China and India. The SPP is operated through a partnership between Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and the Government of Canada.
The SPP has improved the study abroad experience of international students from China and India by improving the Study Permit application checklist; ensuring applicants have all the necessary documentation to apply to study in Canada.
To be considered for the SPP, you must be accepted to a participating college or institute as a full-time student and meet specific criteria. Students in China can apply through two streams: with or without IELTS results. In Manitoba, participating colleges include:
For more information, visit the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Student Partners Program page and contact the college in Manitoba you are interested in attending for more information on the SPP.
