Outside of Canada, visas can be acquired through your Canadian consulate, Embassy or High Commission. The processing time for your visa application can vary by country.

If you currently have or are applying for a study permit and wish to travel in and out of Canada, you may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also known as a Visitor Visa, as a study permit alone is not sufficient for entry into Canada. If your TRV is about to expire or has already expired, you can apply for a new one from within Canada, provided you hold a valid study permit.

New Students

Before You Arrive

We recommend arriving in Canada 2 to 3 weeks before your classes start to allow time for settling in, securing housing, and participating in orientation activities. To avoid delays, try to steer clear of peak travel periods in late August, early September, and early January.

Please note that you are not permitted to work on or off campus until your classes have officially begun.

For more information, refer to IRCC’s Prepare for your arrival.

After You Arrive

You will be welcomed with various orientations and arrival programs to help you transition to the University. Office of International Activities is here to support you through your transition.

Join our International Student Orientation

Orientation Check-in and Welcome Package – September 2^nd from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Bring your passport and study permit (original copies) for our records

If you have questions about immigration and cannot find the answers you need, you can connect with our Immigration Advisor.

Returning Students

If you are a current BU student with a valid study permit and will be temporarily outside Canada, this travel information is for you. This applies to students who have completed a semester or more of studies in Canada and wish to travel outside of Canada for a visit, during summer break, or for personal reasons.

Do not book your flight until you make sure ALL your documents will be valid upon your return to Canada.

Documents include:

• Valid Study Permit (mandatory)
• Valid Visitor Visa/eTA as applicable (mandatory)
• Verification of Enrolment (request through Student Portal)
• Unofficial Transcript (print from Student Portal)
• Valid IRCC medical exam if you will be living in a designated country for over six months in the past 12 months prior to returning to Canada.

Please visit the IRCC website – Visitor visas for workers and students: How to apply from inside Canada to find details on how to obtain a visitor visa from inside Canada.

If your study permit will expire during your travel, connect with our Immigration Advisor as soon as possible!

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), referred to as a visitor visa, is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, a student, or a worker). Citizens of some countries require a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada in addition to a Study Permit. See the Government of Canada website for the list of countries and territories whose citizens require a visa to enter Canada as visitors.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a requirement for all visa-exempt foreign nationals entering Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport and is issued by Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Please visit IRCC – Electronic travel authorization to determine whether you need an eTA and how to apply.