Having a canadian student visa, do I need an eTA to fly back to Canada after a trip abroad?
I have been living in Canada with a student visa for more than a year now. The government of Canada is announcing that from the 15 of March 2016, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) will be introduced.
From the government website I read
Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), for visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to Canada.
Being swiss national, I am visa-exempt for visiting Canada as a tourist and would therefore fit this category. However, I have a Canadian visa and am not visa-exempt for living in Canada as I do.
Do I need an eTA for flying back to Canada after a visit abroad?
Best Answer
This CIC webpage clearly indicates the conditions of re-entry in Canada for international students
If you leave Canada and want to return, you must have:
- a valid passport or travel document;
- a valid study permit if you are returning to study in Canada;
- a valid visitor visa, if you are a citizen of a visa-required country. You must - re-apply for a temporary resident visa (visitor visa) if:
- your visa has expired; or
- your visa was only valid for a single entry to Canada.
- an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) by March 15, 2016 if you are from an eTA-required country and received your student permit before August 1, 2015 and you plan to travel from and return to Canada by air. Note: Students who get their study or work permit on or after August 1, 2015 will automatically be issued an eTA along with their permit.
Having received my study permit before August 1, 2015, I will have to apply for an eTA. Here is the link to apply
Thank you to @mkennedy for the link.
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Can I leave and come back to Canada if I have a study permit?
As a foreign student, can I return home or travel outside Canada while studying? Yes. However, your study permit is not a travel document. It doesn't give you the right to travel to or enter Canada.Do I need an eTA if I have a student visa?
No. Depending on your citizenship, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa, as well as a study permit. Your eTA or visa will be issued to you at the same time as your study permit. You do not need to apply separately or to pay an additional fee.Do you need an eTA for Canada if you have a study permit?
If you are entering Canada for the first time and have already applied for a study permit the eTA is automatically included as part of your study permit application. However if you have not applied for a study permit because your program of study is six months or less, you MUST apply for an eTA.Do I need my study permit to reenter Canada?
To be able to enter Canada as a student, you must meet 3 requirements: You must qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller unless you're a minor student (under the age of 18 years). You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit, unless you don't need one.Canada - Transit Visa - How To Confirm You Don’t Need An eTA while Transiting via A Canadian Airport
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