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Prepare Core Documents

Description

Gather and organise the essential documents you will need at the Canadian border and during your first days in BC.

In person 1–2 hours
Online N/A

What to do

1. Locate your valid passport (check expiry — must be valid for your entire stay)
2. Confirm your visa, study permit, or work permit is correct and matches your travel document
3. Download or print your Port of Entry (POE) letter or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
4. Obtain your eTA if you are arriving by air from a visa-exempt country
5. Gather proof of funds (bank statements, sponsorship letter, or scholarship letter)
6. Collect academic or employment offer letters you may need to show a border officer
7. Make certified copies of all key documents and store them separately from originals
8. Scan everything and save encrypted copies in cloud storage
9. Create a travel folder or envelope so all documents are easy to access at the border

Warnings

POE Letter is not a visa

  • Your Port of Entry letter authorises an officer to issue your permit — it is not the permit itself.
  • Keep it accessible; you will hand it to the border officer upon arrival.

Passport expiry matters

  • Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay.
  • Some permits are issued only up to the passport expiry date — renew early if needed.

eTA must match travel passport

  • An eTA is linked to the specific passport used during the application.
  • If you renewed your passport, apply for a new eTA before travelling.

Tips

What officers typically ask for

Passport, permit/letter, proof of funds, accommodation details, and return or onward ticket.

YVR Voluntary Compliance program

If you arrive at Vancouver International Airport, CBSA officers there are familiar with international students and workers — stay calm and answer questions clearly.

Students: PAL letter

A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) may be required if you applied for a study permit after January 22, 2024.

Workers: check POE letter expiry

Work permit POE letters typically expire after 6 months — check the date and request a new one from IRCC if it has lapsed.

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