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The Office of International Student Services

Entry and Exit FAQ for F -1 Students

 

Information on Travel to Canada

If you plan to travel to Canada and stay less than thirty days, you must obtain a Canadian visa unless you are a citizen of one of the following countries:

Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Caymen Islands
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Denmark
Falkland Islands
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
holders of Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport
Iceland
Ireland
Israel (national passport holders only)
Italy
Japan
South Korea
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Montserrat
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Island
Portugal
St. Helena
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
San Marino
Singapore
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Spain
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Turks & Caicos Island
United States (including permanent residents)
United Kingdom
Western Samoa

Same day visa issuance for those who apply in person is available for citizens of most countries. However, certain countries have a mandatory three-week processing time. Those countries are Afghanistan, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, North Korea, holders of Palestinian travel documents, Syria and Yugoslavia. There may be a ten working day waiting period for citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, People's Republic of China, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Russia, Tadjikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

To obtain a Canadian visa, you may apply by mail or in person during business hours at the Canadian Consulate in New York City. See the Canadian Consulate's website for specific information.

Immigration Section
Canadian Consulate
1251 Avenue of Americas at 50th st 22nd floor
New York, NY 10020-1175
(212) 596-1628
Monday - Friday 8:00-10:00am

When you visit the Consulate, you must have with you a valid passport, I-94, two passport-type photos taken within the last six months, a Canadian Visitor's Visa Application, the application fee, and any other documents which will satisfy the officer that you are entering Canada for a temporary purpose (bank statements, letter of invitation from a friend or relative in Canada, etc.) F-1 visa holders also must have a valid, endorsed I-20.

You do not need a valid U.S. visa to return to the United States, nor will you surrender your I-94 when you cross into Canada.

Applying for a Canadian Tourist Visa by Mail

Citizens of all countries requiring a Canadian tourist visa are encouraged to apply by mail if they hold valid non-immigrant status in the United States in the following categories: A, B-1, B-2, E, F, G, H, I, J, L, or M.

Applications by mail are usually processed and passports returned within two working days if you are from a country which does not have a waiting period for processing (see reverse side of this form for a list of those countries with a waiting period). Be sure to provide ALL required documents. Incomplete applications will be refused. Be sure to include a postage paid envelope. Documents cannot be returned through courier services. Documents are returned through regular mail only.

The following documents must be submitted in order to obtain the visitor's visa by mail: