Entering or Re-entering Canada
Traveling to Canada for your studies can be an exciting adventure, and we are here to help you navigate the process. You should not enter Canada without satisfying all of the Student Visa Requirements. Review the travel guide thoroughly before you make your travel plans.
Before you book your flight
- Meet all visa and study permit requirements. DO NOT travel to Canada without them.
- Ensure you have all the required documents.
- Use the Advance Declaration (customs & immigration e-declaration) up to 72 hours before arrival to speed up entry.
Arriving During Winter Closure? The University of Alberta is closed between December 25, 2025, and January 1, 2026. Learn more about the support and resources available during the closure.
New Student
Find the arrival guide to learn more about arrival times and the required documents.
Current U of A student (Returning to Canada)
If you are traveling outside Canada temporarily for holidays, travel, or personal reasons and plan to return, learn more about returning to Canada.
Use an Advance Declaration to save time at the Port of Entry
Save time. Make your customs declaration before you arrive in Canada. Advance declaration is optional and helps travellers save time at major Canadian airports. Submit your customs declaration on your smartphone or computer up to 72 hours in advance of arriving in Canada.
Participating airports
- Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
- Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
- Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) (Terminals 1 and 3)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)