Travelling to Canada

Immigration Documents

Here is a list of documents that will be required during your travels and at the port of entry in Canada:

1. Port of Entry Letter of Introduction from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Note: This letter is not your study permit.
2. Valid travel document (Passport)
3. Valid Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

We recommend you review IRCC’s Prepare for Arrival webpage before planning your entry to Canada. 

Lakehead University Documents

Here are the documents that you need to have as a Lakehead University student.

1. Letter of Acceptance (LoA)
2. Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE)
3. Receipt of Tuition Payment

Please note that for all the Lakehead University Documents, you can download them on your Lakehead MyPortal Account.

Important notes: 

1. For students who are studying a short-term program for less than 6 months, you can study without a study permit. 
2. Citizens, Nationals or Permanent Residents of the US as well as residents of Greenland and St. Pierre & Miquelon, are eligible to apply for a Study Permit at a Port of Entry to Canada.
3. US citizen or lawful US permanent resident who holds valid status in the US, you do not require a TRV or an eTA to enter Canada.
4. All students must have a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)  to enter Canada for studies. If you have not yet received your visa and/or letter of introduction, do not travel to Canada until you have received these documents
5. Please check the Canada entry requirements by country or territory.

Lakehead University advises all students to arrive in Thunder Bay or Orillia before orientation starts. We advise that you arrive in Canada no more than one month prior to the start of your classes. This will help avoid any concerns at the port of entry about arriving too far in advance. You are not allowed to work on or off campus until you begin full-time studies in Canada and meet all the requirements.

You will meet a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the airport or border crossing and the officer will make the final decision on whether or not to admit you to Canada.

Temporary Accommodations

If you arrive when our Campus and Residence is closed OR have not been able to arrange housing before arriving, you may wish to book temporary or short-term accommodations while you look for a permanent living option.

Temporary Accommodations Options

If you are a new international student arriving at Lakehead University's Thunder Bay, Orillia, or Barrie locations, you may be eligible for our free airport transportation service. This is a one-time service that will take you from the airport directly to your accommodations (on or off campus). The process is slightly different depending on which campus you're going to.

Who Can Use This Service?

You are eligible only if you meet all of the following:

• You are a new international student starting at Lakehead University. Returning students are not eligible.
• You have already received your visa documents (e.g., study permit approval). You must upload these when submitting your request.
• You have already arranged your accommodation in Thunder Bay, Orillia, or Barrie.
• You submit your request at least 4 business days (Monday to Friday) before your flight to Canada.

Important: We cannot issue a taxi or shuttle voucher if you do not meet these conditions. If your request is late or incomplete, you will need to pay for your own transportation, and we cannot reimburse you.

No Housing Yet? Book Temporary Accommodation

If you haven’t secured permanent housing yet, you can consider booking temporary or short-term accommodation before arriving in Canada. This gives you time to find a permanent place to live.

Temporary Accommodations Options


Thunder Bay

• You must bring a printed copy of your taxi voucher. Digital copies are not accepted.
• If you do not bring your printed voucher, you must pay for the taxi yourself.
• Your taxi will take you directly to your address. No stops are allowed.

Arrival Instructions:

1. After landing, collect your luggage.
2. Exit the airport and find the taxi line.
3. Wait for a Roach's or Diamond Taxi.
4. Show your printed voucher and give your full accommodation address to the driver.

Orillia/Barrie

• For students flying into Toronto Pearson International Airport and heading to Orillia or Barrie only
• Your ride will be pre-booked and prepaid by Lakehead.
• A confirmation will be sent your Lakehead email (@lakeheadu.ca) and include:
• Booking confirmation;
  • Pick-up details
  • Meeting point information at the airport
• Travel time, pending traffic:
  • ~90 minutes to Orillia
  • ~75 minutes to Barrie

Arrival Instructions:

1. After landing and clearing customs and immigration, collect your luggage.
2. You will meet the driver inside the airport terminal and check in with the company.

How to Apply for Airport Transportation

Once you have your visa documents and accommodation:

1. Submit your request online.
2. We will review your information and contact you if anything is missing.
3. Once approved, we will send you:
   1. A printable taxi voucher (for Thunder Bay arrivals)
   2. Or a booking confirmation (for Orillia/Barrie arrivals)
   3. Detailed arrival and pickup instructions

NOTICE: Student who have not confirmed their accommodations, are not eligible to complete the Airport Transportation Request.

Click Here to Submit Your Airport Transportation Request 

Here is a helpful checklist of things to consider when planning your departure and packing up your suitcases:

• Make sure you have your study visa approval (letter of introduction) printed and put all of your important documents into one folder for quick and easy reference.  

• Be sure to pack your immigration documents and anything you will need at the port of entry in your carry-on luggage.

• Ensure you have registered for your classes and paid your tuition fees before you arrive. 

• Confirm your housing accommodations before you arrive. This includes any temporary accommodations. 

• Apply for Lakehead International's Airport Taxi Service at least 4 business days before your departure to Canada and print the taxi voucher (Thunder Bay only).

• Apply for your Lakehead Student ID card online.

Packing your Luggage:

We advise you to check with your airlines’ restrictions on checked baggage and weight restrictions. Please ensure that anything you need to access during your travels is packed in your carry-on luggage such as documents, laptops, chargers, adapters, and other important items.  

Do Pack:

• Clothing, shoes and toiletries (if you are arriving in January be sure to bring a warm jacket for when you arrive and you can purchase good winter clothing in Canada after arrival)

• Laptop, other electronics and chargers

• Universal adapter (consider a power bank as well)

• Canadian cash on hand for incidental expenses 

• Any specific medications (be sure to ask your doctor what is or isn't available in Canada) and be sure they are in labeled containers

• Consider packing in your carry-on luggage, one pair of clothes and a few things you might need in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

Don't Pack:

• Any illegal substances or weapons

• Food (unless you check that it's approved by CBSA and the airline)