Receiving a Canadian study-permit approval is exciting, but the next question is usually immediate: “What should I do first?” A single long checklist can make a new student feel as if every task must be completed at once. In reality, departure, border entry, moving in and school registration happen in a clear order. That is why UCAN will publish a four-part practical series for students coming from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan.
The first article begins before a flight is booked. It explains the difference between a POE letter, a Study Permit, a TRV and an eTA; how passport type affects travel requirements; and what to confirm with the school before paying for the trip. The second article follows the student from the carry-on document folder to the departure airport, Canadian customs, student processing and the final check of the printed Study Permit.
The third article starts after the student enters the public arrivals hall. It covers safe transport, residence or off-campus check-in, room-condition records, health insurance, telephone service, banking, transit and the limited circumstances in which a SIN is needed. The fourth article moves onto campus: online international-student check-in, the correct school offices, fees and registration holds, orientation, the first class and the first two weeks of study.
Each article will include one bilingual flowchart that can be saved on a phone and followed one stage at a time. Readers do not need to memorize the whole series. Finish the steps in the current article, save the documents produced during that stage, and then continue to the next part.
The four articles are:
- Part 1—After Approval: Check Your Documents Before Booking a Flight
- Part 2—Departure and Entry: From the Carry-on Folder to Your Study Permit
- Part 3—Your First Stop in Canada: Housing and Essential Life Setup
- Part 4—Ready for School: Check-in, Orientation and the First Two Weeks
Important notice
This overview and the four articles provide general practical suggestions only. Canadian immigration and entry requirements, departure rules in the student’s place of origin or transit point, and school registration policies may change at any time. Readers must independently check and follow the current official documents and instructions issued by IRCC, CBSA, the relevant local authorities, the airline or transit authority where applicable, and the student’s school. If this series differs from an official requirement, the current official requirement prevails.
