Checklist for International Students Going to Canada
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Checklist for International Students Going to Canada

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Sep 8, 2025 17:59 IST

As an International student, there are multiple things you need at the time of going to your desired Canadian university. Packing suitable clothing according to Canada's diverse climate and carrying important documents like passport, student visa, and academic documents is essential. In short, having a checklist is required for at the time of packing.

Checklist for International Students Going to Canada

Checklist for Students Going to Canada: After receiving the offer to study in Canada from your desired university or college, it is important to be ready with the proper set of documents required to arrive in Canada. However, the decision to go to Canada starts way too early before actually receiving the acceptance letter from the university. It is wise to keep a tab on the finances and accommodation required while studying there. In this article, we are going to discuss the documents along with the other essential things that are required by a student while travelling to Canada.

Canada is one of the most popular study destinations for international students. The country offers affordable higher education, internationally acclaimed institutions, and a welcoming environment for students. These are some of the reasons that attract international students to study in Canada. According to the figures published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there are over 6,22,000 foreign students in Canada, with Indians around 217,410.

Related Reads:

Table of content
  • Pre-Departure Checklist for Indian Student
  • Documents Checklist to Study in Canada
  • How to Plan Your Luggage When Going to Canada?
  • FAQs Related to Checklists to Study in Canada

Pre-Departure Checklist for Indian Student

Here are things which is required for Indian students coming to study in Canada. It is not mandatory to get all of these from your home. This checklist will help you to keep things aligned. You can either take it in India or buy in Canada:

Category Items
Documents
  • Passport
  • Airline tickets
  • Travel insurance
  • Debit/Credit cards
  • Letter of Acceptance (copy)
  • Letter of Introduction
  • Proof of finances
  • International Driver’s License and/or Driving History Record
  • Important address list/contact numbers
  • Cash (CAD or US)
Clothing
  • Formal and casual outfits (business suits, shirts, T‑shirts, jeans/khakis, skirts)
  • Workout clothes (You can buy them here too)
  • Undergarments and socks
  • Outerwear (coat/jacket)
  • Footwear (formal, casual/sneakers/sandals, trainers, flip flops)
  • Accessories (belts, scarf, ties, cap/hat)
  • Traditional wear
Laptops & Electronics
  • Laptop + charger
  • Mobile phone + cable/charger
  • Travel adapters/converters
  • Tablet/E‑reader
  • External portable hard disk
  • USB stick
  • Portable mobile charger
Kitchen Stuff
  • Favourite kitchen items
  • Favourite non‑perishable food or spices
Cosmetics/Toiletries
  • Comb/brush
  • Contact lens equipment or glasses
  • Dental floss
  • Deodorant/perfume
  • Hair products
  • Make‑up
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste

Documents Checklist to Study in Canada 

Canada study permit is the most important document that you need as an international student before you arrive in Canada. Here are other documents which you need to carry with you, if planning to study in Canada:

Category Documents
Study permit application (core)
  • Proof of acceptance from a Canadian educational institution (DLI)
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of financial support (GIC)

Quebec/minor-specific

  • Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if studying in Quebec for more than 6 months
  • Custodian declaration (for minors only)
Travel/arrival documents
  • Valid passport (at least six months beyond return date)
  • Canadian health insurance
  • Airline tickets
  • Acceptance letter (carry a copy)
  • Bank statements (proof of funds)
  • Doctor’s prescription letter for medicines
  • Vaccination and medical records
  • Academic history and university transcripts
  • Some Canadian currency

Read: Canadian Visa Document Checklist 

How to Plan Your Luggage When Going to Canada?

Here is a list of things to carry to Canada for students from India.

  • Know how much baggage your airline allows and know the baggage limits
  • There are some things that are not allowed into Canada in your luggage. There are restrictions on alcohol, guns, tobacco, food as well as animal and plant products. Also, travellers cannot bring prescription drugs that are not approved in Canada
  • Only include liquids in containers that are less than 100 ml
  • Also, attach an address tag to every piece of your luggage with your name and the address of your destination in Canada
  • At the airport check-in, confirm whether your baggage will go directly to your destination in Canada, or whether you should claim and transfer baggage at stops along the way
  • Put all important documents, medications, and expensive items like laptops, jewellery, cameras, phones, cash, and credit cards with you in your purse or carry-on bag, rather than packing them in your checked luggage

Also read:

Here are some common FAQs, which students usually ask:

FAQs Related to Checklists to Study in Canada

Q:   What are the documents required to travel to Canada for international students?
A:

Here are some of the documents required to travel to Canada:

  • Passport
  • Travel and health insurance
  • Airline tickets
  • Cash or travellers' cheque
  • Letter of acceptance from your Canadian college or university
  • Bank statements showing proof of funds
  • Medical and vaccination records
  • Academic history
  • University transcripts
Q:   Can international students do part-time work while studying in Canada?
A:

Yes, as an Indian student, you can do part time work in Canada up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. This is the official rule by IRCC. On-campus work is permitted separately and doesn't count toward the 24-hour cap if conditions are met.

Q:   What is the acceptance rate for VCC in Canada?
A:

Vancouver Community College is a premier and one of the oldest community colleges in Canada. VCC does not officially publish data on the acceptance rate. However as per some unofficial sources, Vancouver Community College acceptance rate ranges between 50% - 75%. VCC is one of the most sought-after and popular college among international students. Please note, that the data on acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary. 

About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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Reviewed by
Prayas
UG & PG expert
Armed with a decade of professional experience, Prayas is a connoisseur of the overseas education industry. He holds a post-graduate diploma in marketing and has the knack for finding ideal study options for student Read Full Bio
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