Customs

Once you arrive the airport you will be welcomed by the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA). You will be required to produce the following documents:

· Your passport

· A Letter (better known as Confirmation of Enrolment-COE) from your university confirming you as their student.

If you fail to produce your COE the authorities will call your institution and confirm your admission, failing to obtain required information you might be asked to leave the country. So be careful with your COE letter and passport.

When you arrive at the airport, you should:

Go directly to Canadian Immigration
Go through Canada Customs
Make arrangements for transportation to the University of Waterloo

A “Personal Effects Reporting Document” is available from the Canada Border Services Agency website.

Canadian Immigration

When you arrive, make sure that you go directly to Canadian Immigration. Have your documents ready so officials can review them. Canadian Immigration officials will want to see:

Your passport
A Temporary Resident Visa, if required
Approval from a Canadian consulate, embassy, or high commission for a Study Permit
Evidence of sufficient funds to study in Canada
Proof of acceptance from your university

Immigration officials may also ask to see a piece of photo identification. Once they have reviewed your documents, they will produce, stamp, sign, and date your Study Permit.
This is a very important step in your arrival to Canada, so ask questions if you are not sure what to do.

Your next step is to go through customs. Have your list of items that you are bringing with you ready, as Canada Customs officials will want to know what you are bringing into the country. If you are bringing food, plants, animals and their products, they must be declared on the CBSA declaration card. If you have sent anything else to Canada, inform the customs officials and present your shipping records.

Airport Reception Desk

If you need help, the airport reception desk has an emergency number for you to call.

Foreign Exchange Counter

If you are arriving late at night the Foreign Exchange Counter may be closed. You may want to consider bringing some Canadian currency with you.

Restricted Items:

· Unlawful or treasonable material

· Hazardous articles (e.g. fireworks, combustible, corrosive, flammable or explosive items

and toxic or poisonous substances)

· Switch blade knives

· Pirated books or articles (e.g. cassettes and computer programs) will be confiscated and

destroyed

· Foodstuff is strictly controlled and subject to inspection and confiscation by the concerned

Administration.

· Firearms and ammunition (automatic and heavy military weapons are strictly prohibited)

· Animals or plants (e.g. furs, skins, ivory tusks, tortoise shells, wood carvings,

etc.) subject to the U.S. Endangered Species Act