Most arrival guides for international students cover one of three things: what to pack, what happens at the border, or what to do in your first week. None of them cover all three in a single checklist, and none explain the correct order of tasks. Do the SIN-bank-phone sequence out of order, and you waste two or three days retracing your steps. Miss a document in your carry-on, and you are standing at the CBSA counter with no backup plan. This is the arriving in Canada as international student checklist that puts every task in order, from two weeks before your flight to the end of day seven.
Your first seven days will likely cost between $300 and $800 depending on the city and whether you need winter gear. The budget breakdown is below, but first, the checklist that keeps you from scrambling.
The Pre-Departure Checklist (2 Weeks Before Your Flight)
Two weeks out, your focus is documents and insurance. Confirm that these items are printed and packed in your carry-on (never in checked luggage):
- Study permit approval letter (Letter of Introduction): The document IRCC sent when your application was approved. This is NOT your study permit; the actual permit is issued at the border. If you applied through SDS, include your GIC confirmation.
- Passport with valid visa stamp (TRV) or eTA confirmation: Must be valid for the full duration of your study program.
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from your DLI: Verify your DLI number matches the IRCC Designated Learning Institutions list.
- Proof of funds: Bank statements, GIC confirmation, or scholarship letters (printed).
- Housing confirmation: Residence offer letter, lease agreement, or hotel booking.
- Immunization records: Some provinces and institutions require proof of specific vaccinations.
- Prescriptions in English: If you take medication, get an English-language prescription from your doctor.
Health insurance for international students varies widely by province. Some provinces do not cover international students under their public plan at all, while others have waiting periods or require a separate health fee (see the full province-by-province breakdown in the Days 4 to 7 section below). Purchase travel health insurance from providers like Guard.me or StudentSecure ($1 to $3 per day) before you fly.
ArriveCAN is no longer mandatory for entering Canada (the requirement was removed in October 2022). You do not need to download or submit anything through ArriveCAN, though it remains available as an optional advance declaration tool.
Notify your home bank that you will be making international transactions from Canada to prevent your card from being frozen on arrival. If you already have a study permit approved and ready, you are on track.
What to Pack and What to Buy After You Land
A student from the Philippines arrived in Toronto in January 2025 wearing a windbreaker. By 3 PM at the UP Express platform in minus 18 Celsius, the windbreaker was useless. That evening, $340 went to Walmart for a winter coat, thermal layers, gloves, and boots. A different student packed light and bought a $60 parka at Costco on day three. This part of the arriving in Canada as international student checklist saves you that $280 mistake.
Your Carry-On Document Kit
- Passport with TRV or eTA
- Letter of Introduction (LOI)
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
- Proof of funds (printed)
- Housing confirmation
- Emergency contacts list (on paper, not just in your phone)
- Prescriptions in English
Checked Luggage Priorities
- Clothing layers: Bring versatile mid-layers (fleece, lightweight down). Skip bulky winter coats from tropical countries. Winners and Costco sell quality Canadian winter gear at $40 to $100.
- Electronics: Canada uses Type A/B outlets (120V, 60Hz). Most laptop and phone chargers are dual-voltage; check the label.
- Skip these: Rice cookers ($20 at Canadian Tire), heavy textbooks (most are digital), excessive toiletries (cheaper at Shoppers Drug Mart).
Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy are generally prohibited by customs. Check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidelines before packing food. Losing access to your LOI at the border is a problem with no quick fix, and the border process moves faster than most people expect.
At the Border: What Happens at the Canadian Port of Entry
You step off the plane, follow signs to the primary inspection area, and join the line for visitors or foreign nationals. The entire interaction typically takes 5 to 15 minutes.
The Step-by-Step Process
- Primary inspection: Approach the CBSA booth. Hand over your passport and Letter of Introduction without being asked.
- Standard questions: Purpose of visit, which school, program length, how you are funding your studies. Keep answers short, honest, and specific.
- Study permit issuance: The officer directs you to the immigration secondary area (standard for study permits, not a problem). Another officer prints your study permit.
- Verify before leaving: Check your name spelling, DLI number, program end date, and conditions. Errors caught at the counter are fixed in minutes; errors found later require a formal amendment.
If an officer asks why you chose Canada, be direct: “I chose [school name] because it offers [specific program] that aligns with my career goals in [field].” Skip rehearsed speeches about multiculturalism. Most students clear the border in under 30 minutes.
Day 1 After Arrival: SIM Card, Transit, and Getting to Your Housing
Your phone connects to free airport Wi-Fi the moment you clear customs. Use it to message your family and confirm your housing check-in time.
eSIM vs. Airport SIM Kiosk
An eSIM from Airalo or Holafly costs $5 to $15 for 7 days and activates instantly. Airport SIM kiosks charge $30 to $50 for limited data. The eSIM wins for day one; you will replace it with a proper plan in a few days.
Getting to Your Housing
- Toronto (Pearson): UP Express to Union Station, $12.35, about 25 minutes.
- Vancouver (YVR): Canada Line SkyTrain, about $9.00 (includes $5 YVR AddFare), about 25 minutes.
- Montreal (YUL): 747 airport bus to downtown, $11.25 (includes a 24-hour transit pass), about 45 to 60 minutes.
Taxis and rideshares from major airports cost $40 to $70. Once you reach your housing, grab essentials (water, bread, fruit) and save three numbers: 911, your campus security line, and the nearest walk-in clinic.
You survived day one. Now the administrative sequence begins, and the order matters more than most students realize.
Days 2 to 3: The SIN, Bank Account, and Phone Plan Sequence (In This Order)
You need a SIN before you open a bank account. You need a bank account before you pass a credit check for a phone plan. Do these out of order and you make two or three extra trips. Following this part of the international student arriving in Canada checklist saves you a full day.
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Subscribe for FreeStep 1: Apply for Your SIN
- Online (eSIN portal): Apply through the Service Canada eSIN portal. Processing takes about 5 business days.
- In person: Bring your passport and study permit to a Service Canada centre. Same-day processing. Our complete SIN guide for international students covers renewals and what to do if your permit says no work authorization.
Step 2: Open a Canadian Bank Account
All five major banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) offer newcomer packages with fee waivers for 6 to 12 months. Bring your SIN (or confirmation of application), study permit, passport, and proof of address. Appointments take 30 to 45 minutes.
Your GIC funds ($22,895 annual requirement, about $1,908 per month) get released monthly into this account. For a full breakdown of whether that amount covers a year, read our real budget guide for international students.
Step 3: Get a Proper Phone Plan
Student-friendly carriers like Fido ($29/month), Koodo ($25/month), Public Mobile ($23/month prepaid), and Lucky Mobile ($20/month) offer plans with 20GB or more. Public Mobile and Lucky Mobile skip the credit check, making them ideal for brand-new bank accounts.
Days 4 to 7: Health Insurance, Campus Registration, and Settling In
With SIN, bank, and phone handled, your remaining tasks focus on building your daily routine and closing the health insurance gap. This section of the arriving in Canada as international student checklist covers the details most guides skip entirely.
Health Insurance During the Waiting Period
Provincial health insurance coverage for international students varies significantly by province:
- Ontario: International students are not eligible for OHIP. You must enroll in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) or your school’s equivalent.
- British Columbia (MSP): International students with study permits valid for 6+ months must enroll in MSP and pay a $75/month International Student Health Fee. There is a waiting period of the balance of your arrival month plus two months before coverage begins.
- Quebec (RAMQ): Only students from countries with a bilateral social security agreement with Quebec (such as France, Belgium, and several Nordic countries) are eligible for RAMQ. All other international students must purchase private insurance.
- Alberta (AHCIP): No waiting period for international students with a study permit valid for 12 months or longer. You must apply within 90 days of arrival.
- Manitoba: International students use the mandatory Manitoba International Student Health Plan (MISHP), not the provincial plan. Coverage begins on the first day of your academic term, with emergency-only coverage available one month before.
- Nova Scotia (MSI): International students must wait 12 months of full-time residency before MSI eligibility begins. Private or institutional insurance is required for the entire first year.
Your school’s mandatory health plan may cover you from day one of classes, or it may not start until the semester officially begins. Check with your international student office. Private interim insurance at $1 to $3 per day is non-negotiable for any uncovered period. One ER visit without coverage can cost $1,000 or more. For detailed plan comparisons, read the student health insurance guide.
Campus Orientation and Settling In
Attend every orientation event your school offers. This is where you get your student ID, learn the campus layout, and connect with other international students. Most campuses have a dedicated international student association with practical benefits: housing tips, used furniture exchanges, and tax filing help.
Research on international students consistently shows that loneliness and isolation are among the biggest challenges in the first month. Campus counseling services are free and confidential. For more on what student life in Canada actually looks like, we cover the unfiltered version separately.
Your Realistic First-Week Budget Breakdown
Based on 2026 prices for a major city (Toronto or Vancouver). Mid-size cities run 15 to 20% lower; smaller cities run 25 to 35% lower.
- eSIM (7-day data): $5 to $15
- Airport transit: $10 to $70
- Groceries (two runs): $130 to $200
- Interim health insurance (7 days): $7 to $21
- Transit (week): $25 to $40
- Winter gear (Sept to March arrivals): $60 to $200
- Phone plan (first month): $25 to $50
- Household essentials: $50 to $100
- School supplies and misc: $50 to $100
Total: $302 to $596 (without winter gear) or $362 to $796 (with winter gear).
Your GIC releases about $1,908 per month. First-week expenses can eat 15 to 40% of that before classes start. Arrive with $500 to $800 in accessible cash or an international debit card so you are not waiting for your GIC release. Use this checklist for international students arriving in Canada to budget accurately.
Work Rights in Your First Semester
- Before your program starts: You cannot work, even with a valid study permit in hand.
- Off-campus during your program: Up to 24 hours per week (updated from 20 hours in late 2024).
- On-campus: No hour limit.
- Co-op or internship: Requires a separate co-op work permit.
- Scheduled breaks: Full-time off-campus work is allowed if you were a full-time student before the break.
If your permit expires while a renewal is in process, you have maintained status, which lets you keep studying and working under the same conditions. For details, see our guide on how to extend your study permit. Working without authorization can result in a removal order and a ban on future immigration applications.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong at the Border
Secondary Inspection
Secondary inspection means a CBSA officer wants to review your documents more thoroughly. This is routine for study permit holders, not a sign of trouble. Expect an extra 30 to 90 minutes.
Missing a Document
CBSA can verify some information electronically, but your passport, LOI, and LOA must be in your physical possession. If the LOI is missing, the officer may still issue your permit at their discretion, but this is not guaranteed.
Study Permit Denied at the Port of Entry
Extremely rare for students with an approved LOI. If it happens, request to withdraw your application rather than receive a formal refusal. A withdrawal is less damaging to future applications. Contact your school’s international student office and your country’s embassy immediately. Save your school’s phone number before you board the plane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get my study permit at the airport or do I already have it?
You carry a Letter of Introduction (LOI), not the actual study permit. A CBSA officer at the port of entry prints the permit after reviewing your documents. Verify your name, DLI number, and program dates before leaving the counter.
How do I get a SIN number as an international student?
Apply online through the eSIN portal (about 5 business days) or visit a Service Canada centre for same-day processing. Bring your study permit and passport. Get your SIN before the bank to avoid extra trips.
Should I buy a Canadian SIM card before arriving or get an eSIM?
An eSIM ($5 to $15 for 7 days) activates instantly and covers your first day. Buy a proper plan from Fido, Koodo, or Public Mobile ($25 to $50/month) within your first few days.
My temporary health insurance has a gap before school coverage starts. Am I covered?
Coverage varies by province. Some provinces do not cover international students at all under their public plan, and others have waiting periods. Purchase private interim coverage ($1 to $3 per day) for any gap. See the Days 4 to 7 section above for the province-by-province breakdown.
Can I work before my classes start if I arrive early?
No. You cannot work off-campus before your program start date, even with a valid study permit. Violating this condition can result in loss of status or removal from Canada.
Your Next Steps
You now have the complete arriving in Canada as international student checklist, from pre-departure documents through the SIN-bank-phone sequence to a realistic first-week budget. Bookmark this page or save it to your phone for travel day.
Two articles fill in the details: the full budget breakdown for international students shows whether your GIC lasts 12 months, and the health insurance guide walks through every provincial plan and private option.
Rules for international students change frequently. The off-campus work hour limit shifted from 20 to 24 hours in late 2024, and PGWP eligibility has been updated multiple times since 2023. Sign up for our free monthly newsletter to get updates on rule changes that affect your status in Canada, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer for advice specific to your situation. All figures and regulations cited are current as of March 2026. Verify directly with IRCC, CBSA, or the relevant provincial authority before making decisions based on this information.
