Travelling to Canada

While travel restrictions due to COVID-19 are in place, you must meet the following requirements to enter Canada as a student:

1. You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
2. You must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan. The University of Victoria is a DLI, and has an approved plan in place.

As a student, you will not be able to travel to Canada if:

• your study program has been cancelled or suspended
• you are entering Canada for any reason other than to study

A border services officer (BSO) will make the final decision on whether you're eligible to enter Canada when you arrive. When the border services officer greets you, they consider:

• your reason for travelling to Canada
• your ability to complete a 14-day quarantine period (unless you are exempt) as soon as you arrive at your final destination
• if you either:
  • have time to complete your quarantine before you physically attend classes, or
  • can study online during your quarantine

Please check with your airline and Canada Border Services Agency if you have questions about the timing of your travel to Canada. A Border Services Officer will make a final decision on your eligibility to enter Canada when you arrive.

If you have any concerns before you travel, you can speak with an international student adviser or you can contact the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) for more information.

Students may not travel to Canada for their studies without the necessary documentation. You will be required to show your documents at the Canadian port of entry. Students who have not yet applied for a study permit should be advised that the processing times can be very lengthy, so please make arrangements well in advance of your planned travel.

If you have any questions about documentation requirements, please contact an international student adviser.

Regardless of your mode of travel, within 72 hours before you arrive to Canada, all students must submit their 14-day self-isolation (quarantine) plans to:

• Government of Canada using the ArriveCAN app
• University of Victoria by completing the  Self-isolation Registration form

For more information, please go to UVic Self-Isolation Program, Registration Requirements.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions have been put in place on travel to Canada.

Depending on whether or not you are fully vaccinated with a Health Canada approved vaccine, and your mode of travel, there are different self-isolation (quarantine) requirements. For information and resources about making your self-isolation (quarantine) plans, please go to the UVic Self-Isolation Program page. 

International Centre for Students and the University of Victoria are here to support you throughout your time in self-isolation. For more information, see the UVic Self-isolation Program page for more information.