Immigration and Travel Documents for Exchange Students
To travel to Canada to study you must have a passport that will be valid for the duration of your stay in Canada.
If you will come to uLethbridge for one term, you must either:
- Apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). IRCC provides a tool to help you determine if you need a TRV or an eTA , Learn more about entry requirements by country or territory on the IRCC website.
OR - Apply for a study permit
Keep in mind IRCC processing times when choosing between a visitor visa/eTA and a study permit. Sometimes, applying for a visitor visa could take longer in certain countries than for a study permit.
If you choose to come to Canada a visitor, you will not be permitted to work in Canada. If you plan to work on campus, you would need a study permit.
If you will come for two terms, you are required to have a study permit.
Most foreign students require an entry document to travel to Canada. Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), which are the two types of entry documents for Canada. If you apply for a study permit outside Canada and you also need an entry document, you will be issued one automatically; you do not have to submit a separate application or pay additional fees.
If applying for a study permit, you may also need to provide:
- Biometrics: Learn what biometrics are and how to provide them here
- A medical exam: Find out if you will need a medical exam here
To apply for a study permit or a temporary resident visa (TRV), you will need your Letter of Acceptance and Exchange Letter from the University of Lethbridge.
When to Apply
You must apply for and obtain approval of your study permit and/or entry document before you travel to Canada. We recommend you apply for your study permit as soon as possible upon receiving your Letter of Acceptance from the University of Lethbridge. Application processing times vary. You can find detailed instructions on the application process here.
Working in Canada
If you hope to work part-time while you study in Canada, you should apply for a study permit, even if you are coming for a one-semester exchange. If you hold a study permit, you may be able to work part-time as long as you are a full-time student.
In compliance with the Government of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) has reviewed the information on this page. Please be aware that this information can change without notice. For the most current information, always refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.