Immigration Information for Inbound Exchange Students
The information on this page may change.
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed by Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Readers should always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.
Last updated March 2025
Immigration and Travel Documents for Exchange Students
Passport
To travel to Canada to study you must have a passport that will be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. We recommend that your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the end of your exchange program. If you need to renew your passport, you should do it as soon as possible.
TIP: You should apply for your study permit and/or travel document as soon as you receive your UM Letter of Acceptance! Application processing time can be long, and vary by country and application type.
If your exchange program is for one term (shorter than 6 months)
You may enter Canada as a visitor and study at UM without a study permit.
- Depending on your country or territory, you may need to apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. Answer a few questions on IRCC website to find out what you need to travel to Canada.
You also have the option to apply for a study permit from outside Canada. If your study permit application is approved, most students will automatically be issued a TRV or if eligible, eTA, which allows you to travel to Canada.
If you are planning to work in Canada, even your exchange program is only for one term, you should apply for a study permit. Review Working in Canada section below for detailed requirements of working in Canada as an international student.
If your exchange program is for two terms or more
You are required to have a valid study permit to study at UM. If your study permit application is approved, most students will automatically be issued a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or if eligible, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your country of citizenship, which allows you to travel to Canada.
Study permit approval is not guaranteed. Students should not travel to Canada without being issued a study permit approval letter.
Applying for a study permit as an exchange student
How to apply
Cost: $150 CAD, plus an additional $85 CAD for biometrics.
Students are recommended to apply online with the IRCC Secure Account through GCKey username and password.
On the home page, look for “Apply to Come to Canada” and choose the option for “visit, study, work”. Answer the questionnaire to receive a reference code and the document checklist.
TIPS:
- Even if your exchange program is only for one term, you should still indicate you are planning to stay in Canada for "more than six months" while answering the questionnaire, so that a study permit application can be initiated.
- UM’s exchange students are not required to provide a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) as they meet the IRCC exception from submitting this letter.
Standard required documents
In general, applicants will require the following documents:
- Application form IMM1294 (check the Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1294) website for instructions on how to complete this form)
- University of Manitoba Letter of Acceptance, Standardized Letter, Exchange Program Welcome Letter
- A valid Passport
- Proof of Financial Support – a full one-year minimum cost-of-living in 2024 is $20,635 CAD plus travel costs.
- One term exchange students may provide estimate costs based on one term only and prorate the cost-of-living amount.
- Include a letter of explanation to note your tuition fees are paid to home institution and the length of your exchange program.
- Proof of Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL or TAL) exception – attach a letter written by you to note how you meet the PAL exemption (e.g. you’re an exchange student studying under an exchange arrangement between your home institution and a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, and you don’t pay tuition fees to the DLI)
- Letter of explanation/Study plan (include this letter even if it is not specifically requested)
- This is a brief overview of why you want to study in Canada. You need to demonstrate to IRCC that you are a genuine student and how your study program will assist you to achieve your future goals.
- Check your local visa office instructions for any specific requirements.
- Two recent photos
You may also need to submit Biometrics, Immigration Medical Exam (IME), and other application form(s) such as Family Information Form (IMM5707) listed in your IRCC Secure Account.
After you submit your application
If your study permit application is approved, a letter of introduction will be sent to you confirming the approval. The letter of introduction is not your study permit. You will need to bring the letter with you to show to the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) officer when you first arrive in Canada to obtain your study permit, if you meet certain basic requirements.
Arriving at the port of entry
Arriving at the port of entry information can be found on our Immigration information page. Ensure you also review IRCC website to learn more about the port of entry and documents you need to print and bring with you. UM exchange students should also bring your Exchange Program Welcome Letter from UM.
If you are planning to travel outside of Canada during your exchange program, review Travelling outside Canada and then re-entering section for what you need to re-enter Canada as an exchange student.
Working in Canada as an exchange student
Exchange students may be able to work in Canada if they meet all of the requirements below:
- have a valid study permit that includes a condition stating they are authorized to work in Canada
- be a full-time student at the UM (please refer to the document outlining how the UM defines full-time status for the purposes of IRCC)
- have a valid Social Insurance Number (S.I.N)
If eligible, you may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic term. You must stop working when you are no longer meeting any of the requirements above. You are not allowed to work after your exchange program ends. Review the International Centre's Working in Canada as an International Student website for information on working on or off campus including what is considered as “work” and if a medical exam is required for your job.
- If you are required by your home institution to complete and internship internship in Canada after your exchange program at UM, you may need a work permit. As these work permits are outside of the International Student Advisor’s scope or practice, we are unable to advise on these applications. Please contact IRCC directly for more information about what documents you require.