Incoming Exchange Students
Canadian Immigration and Exchange Students
Jump to:
- What immigration documents do I require?
- What is a study permit?
- Who requires a study permit?
- Who does not require a study permit?
- Apply for your study permit from outside Canada
- I am studying for 6 months in length or shorter, what are my next steps?
- Trent University's Designated Learning Institution Number
- How do I prepare for arrival in Canada?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What immigration documents do I require?
Depending on your country/territory of residence and how long you study in Canada, incoming exchange students require either a study permit and/or an entry visa.
Exchange students who study at Trent University for:
- more than six months
- study permit required
- will also require an entry document based on your country/territory of residence
- 6 months or less may require an entry visa
What is a study permit?
A study permit is status document which permits foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Most foreign nationals require a valid study permit to study in Canada.
A study permit is not an entry visa and therefore it does not permit entry into Canada. A temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) are immigration documents which will permit entry or re-entry into Canada.
Who requires a study permit?
In most cases, a study permit is required for programs of study longer than 6 months in duration.
Who does not require a study permit?
A study permit is not required if your program or course:
- will be 6 months in length or shorter, and
- will end before your initial immigration status expires/ends (such as work permit, visitor record, end of authorization date, etc), OR
- some students are also study permit exempt
Apply for your study permit from outside Canada
It is important for you to apply for a study permit as soon as you obtain your Letter of Acceptance from Trent University. Processing times vary by country and can take anywhere from 60 days to 5 months.
Below are some instructions to get you started with your study permit application:
- You can find a comprehensive guide on applying for your study permit from outside Canada on the IRCC Website here.
- You can find a list of required documents for a study permit application here.
- You can find eligibility and required documents for the Student Direct Stream here.
- Be sure to verify your specific visa office instructions for the additional documents you may require.
I am studying for 6 months in length or shorter, what are my next steps?
You first need to determine if you are from a visa requiring country to determine which Canadian immigration document you require.
- If you are from a visa requiring country, you should apply for a Temporary Resident VISA (TRV)
- Apply as soon as you get your Letter of Acceptance
- If you are from a visa exempt country, you may be required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- Apply at least one month prior to arrival and once you have your flight to Canada
- You also can opt to apply for a study permit
- Refer to above instructions
Trent University's Designated Learning Institution Number
For Canadian immigration applications relating to your studies, IRCC will request Trent's Designated Learning Institution Number (DLI#) which is O19395164223. It starts with a O and not a zero.
How do I prepare for arrival in Canada?
Visit our Safe Arrival Webpage for a list of next steps to prepare for your arrival.
What are my next steps once I have applied for my immigration documents?
Visit the New International Student Webpage for a list of your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who do I contact if I have additional immigration related questions? | Reach out to our International Advising team at internationaladvising@trentu.ca. |
| What fees will I owe to Trent as an exchange student? | Visit our Fees and Other Costs webpage for more information. |
| Where can I learn more about on and off campus living accommodations? | Visit our Accommodations webpage for more information. |
| How do I contact the Trent Study Abroad Program? | Visit the Trent Study Abroad webpage for a full list of contacts or email studyabroad@trentu.ca. |
Disclaimer
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed 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. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.