Travel to Canada
Planning a trip to Canada? Follow these easy steps:
- Step 1: Make an appointment for a Canadian visitor visa
- Many students and scholars are required to obtain visitor visas prior to travel to Canada. Check the list of countries on this page.
- If you require a visitor visa, you must call one of the following to make an appointment:
- Embassy of Canada
501 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 682-1740 - Canadian Consulate
1251 Avenue of the Americas
50th Street
New York, NY 10020
(212) 596-1628
- Step 2: Have your I-20/DS-2019 signed by OFSS, 30 Lovett Ave, Student Services Building
- Submit your I-20/DS-2019 to OFS approximately one week prior to travel. Or, if a visitor visa is required, submit your I-20/DS-2019 approximately one week before your appointment.
- Step 3: Applying for a Canadian visitor visa
- You must present the following items at your appointment:
- Valid passport or travel document
- Valid I-94 form (small white card)
- Valid I-20 or DS-2019, signed by OFSS
- Evidence of sufficient funds/financial support
- Canadian Visitor Visa Application Form
- Supplementary information sheet
- Two passport size photographs (if required)
- Processing fee (in the form of a Bank Certified Check or money order made payable to "Canadian Consulate General", or cash)
- Step 4: Enjoy your trip!
- Step 5: Re-entering the United States from Canada
- To re-enter the United States, you will be required to show:
- Your valid passport
- Your I-94 (small white card)
- I-20 or DS-2019, signed by OFSS
- Visa that matches your status
If your trip to Canada was for less than 30 days, you may re-enter the U.S. even if your U.S. entry visa has expired. If your trip was for more than 30 days, or if you traveled outside of Canada before re-entering the U.S., or if you changed visa status while in the U.S., you will need a valid U.S. entry visa.
Please note: If you are re-entering the U.S. on a new I-20 after a trip of more than 30 days, you must have your I-20 processed and complete a new I-94. If the border official does not process your documents, you should request to have him/her do so.