Arriving in Canada

When Should I Arrive?

We recommend you to arrive about two weeks before classes begin in Canada, for completing the registration procedures. If you plan to look out for off-campus accommodations, we would advice you to arrive 2 weeks to a month before classes begin for arranging non-University housing. You will also be required reserving an absolute minimum of 1 week of temporary accommodation in advance of your arrival. This is done to enable you having a place to stay, while you arrange your permanent housing.

Your arriving early in Canada will offer an added advantage. You will get to know your way around the campus, the city, and be able to find suitable off-campus housing, if needed. There is a variety of accommodation options to choose from. Also, you will get a chance to participate in planned social events, make friends, and attend orientations.

Note: In case you plan to arrive early, you should make sure you have sufficient money for covering your living costs. The best time to arrive, if your travel arrangements permit, is between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on weekdays. University offices (including the International Centre) are closed on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, including July 1, August 3 and September 7, 2009. Canadian Universities also remain closed over the winter break (December 25, 2008 to January 1, 2009).

At the port of entry

An officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will meet you at the point of entry, such as an airport, in Canada. The CBSA is responsible for border and point of entry activities in Canada.

The documents you need to enter Canada

The CBSA officer will ask to see your travel documents when you arrive in Canada. Make sure they are not packed in your luggage, and that you have them with you. This will help speed up your entry to Canada.

Documents: BE ready with the following documents:

• a valid passport or travel document
• Letter of introduction from the visa office that you received when your study permit was approved (this letter contains your permit reference number and the CBSA officer needs this letter to issue your study permit)
• a valid temporary resident visa (if required)
• a copy of the letter of acceptance from the school at which you are permitted to study
• proof of having enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada and
• LOR’s (Letters of reference) or any other documents recommended by the visa office where you applied.

These items along with all other valuable papers, cash and traveler’s cheques should be carried with you in a separate bag, at all times. They should not be kept in your checked luggage. You may be denied entry to Canada if any of the documents go missing or if there is incorrect information added on your application or letters of reference.

IMP: Your possessing these documents does not guarantee entry. All persons must establish that they meet all the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations before being authorized to enter or re-enter Canada.

You shall be allowed to enter Canada, in case there are no problems at the point of entry and will issue your study permit. You should:

• Check the study permit for ensuring the accuracy of your personal information and
• Check the expiry date on your study permit as you would be required leaving Canada by this date.

Citizens or residents of the US, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, and Greenland

US citizens or citizens of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon and Greenland do not require a passport or a temporary resident visa for entering or returning to Canada. However, a proof citizenship or permanent residence, including a national identity card or an alien registration card, has to be provided.

Disclosure of funds

In case you carry more than C,000 while entering Canada, it must be disclosed to the CBSA officer. If you fail to do so, you could be fined or put in prison. The funds can be carried in the form of:

• Cash
• Securities in bearer form (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills) or
• Negotiable instruments in bearer form, such as bankers’ drafts, cheques, traveler’s cheques or money orders.

Items which cannot be brought to Canada

The following items cannot be brought into Canada:

• Firearms, explosives, fireworks and ammunition;
• Narcotics, other than the prescribed drugs;
• Meat, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables;
• Plants, flowers and soil;
• Endangered species of animals or products made from animal parts, such as the skin, feathers, fur, bones and ivory;
• Cultural property, including antique and cultural objects considered to have historical significance in their country of origin (you may, however, bring family heirlooms);
• More than 200 cigarettes (you must pay tax on the excess amount) per person over 18 years of age if you are immigrating to Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba, or per person over 19 if you are immigrating to Ontario or any of the other provinces; and
• More than 1.5 liters of wine or 1.14 litres of commercial alcohol (you must pay tax on the excess amount) per person over 19 years of age.

If you are not sure about an item, you can write to or telephone:

Canada Border Services Agency
Customs, Excise and Taxation
Information Services
2265 St. Laurent Boulevard
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4K3
Telephone: (506) 636-5064 or
(204) 983-3500
(when calling from outside Canada)
1 800 959-2036
(toll-free, from inside Canada)
Website: www.cbsa.gc.ca

Terms and conditions of your study permit

The conditions listed on your permit tell you:

• The name of the institution where you can study
• If you can work in Canada
• Whether you need to report for a medical examination, observation or treatment
• In case your travel within Canada is restricted and
• When should you leave Canada.

You will have to submit a completed Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada if you plan to change any of the terms and conditions on your study permit. If you are a post-secondary student with a valid study permit, you do not need to submit an application if you want to change your program of study or the institution where you are studying.

You would be committing an offence under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act if you fail to comply with the conditions imposed on you after entering Canada. You may voluntarily leave Canada, or you may be subject to an admissibility determination or hearing, which can lead to your removal from Canada. If you break any of the conditions of your stay, you will lose your temporary resident status and any permit you have.

Leaving and coming back to Canada

If you leave Canada and want to return, you must have a valid:

• Passport or travel document
• Study permit if you are returning to study in Canada and
• Temporary resident visa, if you are a citizen of a designated country for which Canada requires a visa. The list of designated countries can be taken from your nearest Canam Office.

Note: If you are a citizen of a designated country and you travel to a country other than the US, Greenland or Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, a multiple-entry visa will be required for re-entering Canada. You will have to re-apply for a temporary resident visa at a Canadian visa office outside Canada if: You want to re-enter Canada; Your temporary resident visa has expired; or if your visa was only valid for a single entry.

Health Insurance

The medical costs of foreign students are not paid for by the Government of Canada. Health coverage for foreign students differs with the provinces. Contact your nearest Canam office to receive more information about medical coverage and health insurance.

Transportation from the Airport

We strongly encourage you to make your own arrangements for transportation from the airport to your accommodations.

Transfer services between Toronto airport and Waterloo are offered by Airways Transit. Reservation for this service can be made online or by calling 519-886-2121 (24 hours). You can pay by cash, Visa, MasterCard, America Express or Diners card. If you are coming directly from the Airport to the University Residence, ask the driver to take you to the university address. To know the accurate address of the university and its location, visit your nearest Canam office.

Do let the person at the Ground Transportation Booth in the airport know that you have made reservations for transportation and they will notify the driver of your arrival.

Bus coaches or trains do not come directly to Waterloo but to Kitchener. If you take a bus or train to Kitchener, you will then need to take a taxi or a bus to the campus.

If you decide that you would like to spend a couple of nights in Toronto prior to coming to Waterloo, and wish to take a bus or a train to Kitchener-Waterloo, ask the attendants at the Ground Transportation Desk for assistance.

After arriving in your city, head directly to your accommodations. For those of you who have chosen to live off-campus, ensure that you have informed your landlord of your arrival date and time, so that they are prepared to receive you. Keep a copy of their contact information with you so you can inform them if your flight is delayed.

Modes of Transportation

Waterloo

Bus/Transit: Grand River Transit-519-585-7555

Taxi: Waterloo Taxi-519-886-1200,
United Taxi-519-888-9999,
City Cabs-519-747-7777

Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Bus/Transit: GO Transit - 1.888.GET ON GO (438.6646)
Toronto Mississauga Transit - 905-896-5000
Greyhound Canada-1-800-661-TRIP (8747)
Greyhound USA-1-800-231-2222

Subway: TTC (Toronto Transit Commission)- 416-393-4636

Airport Express :GTA shuttle bus to Toronto-1-800-387-6787

If you do not have any Canadian currency, please go to the nearest any changer to equip yourself with some cash. Proceed to the Airways Transit counter. One way trips from the airport can cost you between - CAD.

You should possibly try to arrive on campus between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, as the university offices remain open during those hours. On weekends most Canadian offices, including those at the university are closed. Thus, it would be difficult for you to obtain assistance. If you can avoid a weekend arrival, you should advise the University in advance.

Graduate students must contact the Graduate Studies Office.
Undergraduate first year international students must contact Residence Services