What to bring

Collect documents to bring with you, and learn about restrictions on what to pack.

Latest updates

As of Thurs, Jan 5, 2022, all travellers flying from China, Hong Kong, and Macao who are 2 years old or older require a negative COVID-19 test result from no more than 2 days before departure (molecular test or antigen test with documentation to show it was monitored by a telehealth service or an accredited laboratory or testing provider), or a positive COVID-19 test from 10 to 90 days before departure. See the news release and webpage for details. This measure has been extended to April 5, 2023.

Travel restrictions, testing and quarantine requirements may change without notice. Visit COVID-19: Travel, testing, and borders for updates.

As a temporary measure, some international students can work more than 20 hours a week starting from Nov 15, 2022 to Dec 31, 2023. If you are eligible for the temporary measure, you might also be exempt from requiring a co-op work permit for co-op placements during this period. Check the FAQ for important eligibility details.

Last updated February 10, 2023.

Travelling to Canada: step by step

Step 1: Before making travel plans

Step 2: Before you travel

Step 3: What to bring
Find out what documents you will need when you travel to Canada and restrictions on what to bring.

Step 4: While travelling

Step 5: After you arrive

Back to the overview

On this page

Documents to bring

Documents to bring

There are important documents you should be sure to have in your carry-on luggage as you travel.

All students

  • UBC Proof of Enrolment Letter
    As proof you are a current, enrolled student, you must bring a current Letter of Enrolment. This letter should ideally be issued a week before you travel. Download this from your Student Services Centre (SSC) by selecting “Proof of Enrolment Letters” under Grades and Records. If you are not able to get a Letter of Enrollment from the SSC, contact an Academic & Career Advisor for a customized letter of enrolment.
  • ArriveCAN receipt (optional)
    You can show the ArriveCAN receipt on your phone or bring a printout.
  • Passport
    Always keep your passport with you when travelling. 
  • Visa or eTA
    Depending on your country of citizenship, you will need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — US citizens and US permanent residents are exempt.
  • Proof of health insurance
    Bring proof of health insurance. This might include your MSP card, virtual iMED card, Global Campus Health Plan confirmation, or other basic insurance. See step 2 for details. If your iMED card does not arrive in time for your travels, you can show them the iMED page with details on coverage.

Current students with study permits

In addition to the above list, all students continuing to study at UBC who already have a study permit must bring with them:

  • Study permit

  • Co-op work permit or work permit approval letter (if applicable)

    • You should also bring a letter from your co-op office or program. If you have one, you should also bring a current, valid job offer.
  • Proof of funds for yourself and any accompanying dependents

    • We recommend your documents be issued within 30 days before traveling.  See proof of means of financial support for sample documents. If you have paid for tuition, get proof of payment from your Student Services Centre (SSC) by selecting “Tuition History” under Finances. There is no specific minimum amount required. However, ideally you would show you have access to:
      • If you applied for your study permit on or before December 31, 2023: at least $10,000 for cost-of-living for one year, plus $4000 for an accompanying family member, and $3000 per additional member
      • If you applied for your study permit on or after January 1, 2024: at least $20,645 for cost-of-living for one year in 2024. The amount required for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have. The cost-of-living amount will be adjusted each year based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off. 

New students and current students who need a new study permit

In addition to the above list, if you are a new student, or a current student who applied for a new study permit from outside of Canada, you’ll also need to bring:

  • A Letter of Introduction

  • Your UBC Letter of Acceptance (new students only)

    • This is also known as your offer letter. If you are an undergraduate student, you can download this in your Student Service Centre (SSC) under Admissions. If you are a graduate student, you can download it from eVision
  • Proof of funds for yourself and any accompanying dependents

    • We recommend you bring copies of the financial documents you provided in your study permit application. In addition, we recommend you to bring recent financial documents which are issued within 30 days before traveling and proof of tuition payment, if you have paid for tuition. See proof of means of financial support for sample documents. Get proof of tuition payment from your Student Services Centre (SSC) by selecting “Tuition History” under Finances. The minimum expected proof of funds depends on when you applied for your study permit:
      • If you applied for your study permit on or before December 31, 2023: at least $10,000 for cost-of-living for one year, plus $4000 for an accompanying family member, and $3000 per additional member, as well as your first year of tuition fees and travel expenses.
      • If you applied for your study permit on or after January 1, 2024: at least $20,645 for cost-of-living for one year in 2024, plus your first year of tuition fees and travel expenses. The amount required for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have. The cost-of-living amount will be adjusted each year based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off. 
  • Valid medical exam, if required

    • Bring a copy of your medical exam (e-medical) if you required one for your study permit application, or get a medical exam if your situation changed since you applied and you now require one. Your medical exam should be completed within 12 months before travelling. If it has been more than 12 months since you took your exam, you must take another medical exam before travelling.
  • English language test results, if you have them

    • If you provided English language test results in your study permit application, bring a copy of your results, if applicable.

Other helpful documents to carry on the plane

  • Driver’s license
  • Medical or immunization records, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination(s)
  • Marriage certificate and notarized copies
  • Documents for dependents accompanying you: passports, birth certificates, children’s immunization, and school records
  • National identity document from your country

What to pack

There are some things you cannot bring to Canada or will need to declare when you arrive, such as cash over CAD $10,000 and food or animal products.

Refer to Canada Border Services Agency’s restricted and prohibited goods for details.

Also, we recommend you bring snacks in case of a long wait upon arrival.

Medication

Keep your medication in your carry-on bag in its original packaging, along with a prescription from the doctor. If you are planning on bringing medication or health products with you, check that the quantity or type is not restricted

It’s a good idea to bring a copy of your medical records for you and the family members who travel with you. If you have a chronic medical condition, have your doctor write a short medical history, preferably in English, for your new doctor in Vancouver. Bring records including the dates of any immunizations and medical tests you have done.

This information is accurate as of January 2, 2024 and is subject to change.