Travelling, Visas and inviting your family to visit

When deciding to travel outside of Canada check your travel documents to make sure they are valid. It is best to renew documents while you are in Canada. Give yourself enough time to have your immigration documents in order prior to booking any travel arrangements.

Know the expiry dates of your passport, study permit and your Temporary Resident Visa (to re-enter Canada), if applicable.
Immigration documents are not issued beyond the expiry date of your passport. A study permit must be extended before applying for a TRV. This process can take up to four months.

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Citizens of certain countries are required to have a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. A TRV is a small sticker placed in your passport and has an expiry date. It does not have to be valid for you to remain in Canada. TRVs are not issued or renewed in Canada. Applications are processed at Canadian immigration offices outside Canada.

View CIC's on-line video "Temporary Resident Visa Application Form" for help. For TRV applications refer to CIC website.

Applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

It is advised to apply for a TRV while you are in Canada. Many visa offices have specific local instructions of which documents you will need to submit with your application. Refer to the CIC visa office prior to submitting your application.

You can:

Mail/Courier an application to a Canadian consulate in any US city
Go to a visa office if you have an entry visa to the United States (check visa office website for complete details), or
You can apply from your home country (if you are going home)

Application and documents

Most University of Saskatchewan international students in Canada apply for a TRV through Buffalo, NY. A spouse and children can be included in the same package.

Complete an application, read the instruction guide and include documents listed on the document check list required by the Candian Visa Office outline on their website, such as:

your passport (it is good to keep a copy for your records);
A photocopy of your study permit;
two recent passport-size photos sized according to information in guide. (print your name and date of birth on the back of ONE of the photos);
proof that you have enough funds available to support yourself in Canada (e.g. original bank statement, pay stubs, proof of employment etc)
proof that you are studying: Proof of enrolment (Confirmation of Enrolment letter can be used)
most recent transcript (PAWS transcripts are accepted)

It is advisable to make a photocopy of your application and all appropriate supporting documents before you send it. If there is a problem you will have a copy of the application.

Include a letter explaining travel dates and time (if applicable)

To make your request and instructions clear it will help to write a letter explaining your situation, indicate travel dates if known.

View a sample letter

Date:

Consulates address:

RE: Application for a Multiple Entry Visa (or you may wish to apply for a Single Entry Visa)

I am presently a student in the College of (_____________________) at the University of Saskatchewan. I have a Study Permit that expires on (__________________). My Visa expired on (_____________________). I am applying for a new Multiple Entry Visa (or Single Entry Visa) that will expire on the same date as my Study Permit. I am leaving Canada on _____________and will return on __________ my itinerary (copy of ticket) is attached.

My application package includes a pre-paid National Xpresspost envelope for return of my documents.

Thank you for your consideration.
(Don’t forget to sign the letter.)

Cost and payment

payment of $75.00, single entry; $150.00 for a multiple entry
A family rate is $400.00 (max amount to pay for a family)

Pay the application fee by a money order or a bank draft in Canadian funds payable to the "Canadian Consulate General if sending to Buffalo, NY.

Do not use the pink, "original receipt" used for renewal of a Study Permit in Canada!

How do I send my TRV application?

Check with Canada Post for guidance in the fastest, safest way to mail your package to the United States. A premium mail service will allow you to track the delivery. For return mail instructions refer to the website of the Consulate you are sending your application to.

Mailing address and instructions if you are applying through the Buffalo, NY visa office. They have a Canadian mailing address for those applicants living in Canada.

Where to find help

CIC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100
Contact ISSAC

Travelling to the United States

If you are a University of Saskatchewan student planning to visit the United States check the Consular Canada, US Embassy for visa entry requirements. The nearest USA Consulate is located in Calgary, Alberta.

Entry back to Canada

TRV exemption policy: If you are returning to Canada following a visit solely to the United States there is an agreement between the U.S. and Canada that allows you to return to Canada provided you have a valid passport and Study Permit, Work Permit, or Visitor Permit. For details on the TRV exemption policy (PDF) see the section titled Division 5, Temporary Resident Visa Exemptions, section 190 (3) (f). We recommend that you take a copy of this policy if you are visiting the United States and returning to Canada. Please note that if you are travelling by air it is strongly recommend that you have a Temporary Resident Visa in your passport to avoid any delays or refusals by the airline to board your flight.

If you are traveling outside of the USA, you must have a valid temporary resident visa (TRV), if applicable, to return to Canada.

Inviting Family to Visit

Follow these steps when you want to invite a family member or friend to visit you in Canada.

Write a Letter of Invitation: Citizen and Immigration Canada has a guide for you to follow.
Send the letters to your invited person. The invited person will include your letter with their Temporary Resident Visa application (if applicable) to submitt to their local Canadian visa office

Family members who apply for a TRV may undergo and pass a medical examination. If your family members enter Canada without you, they will likely be admitted on visitor status for six months. Visitors admitted for six months or less are not eligible for Saskatchewan’s Health Services Plan.

Travel CUTS

Travel CUTS is an on-campus travel service specializing in Canada's student, youth, and budget travel. They have over 40 years of experience, with over 50 locations on or near Canadian university and college campuses and in the United States, plus hundreds of affiliated offices worldwide. They develop and promote exclusive travel products like Student Class Airfares, Bon Voyage Travel Insurance, SWAP Working Holiday Programs, Gap Year Abroad, and more.

They also offer the International Student Identity Card which gives you many savings on travel worldwide ( www.isic.org ) They are locaton on the main level, Place Riel (University of Saskatchewan) or you can visit www.travelcuts.com.