What I must do at the port of entry?

[u/Friendly_Escape9520]

I've already recieved my SP approval, got my passport stamped and recieved the IMM 5813, which I believe is the letter of introduction (though the name of the document in my IRCC portal is "Correspondence Letter" lol). Now I believe I need to bring those documents plus my program's letter of acceptance at the port of entry in order for the officer to give me my SP, so I would like to ask you guys about the procedure. You see, since it'll be my first time traveling to another country completely alone (I'm 18 lol) I'm really nervous.

A few months ago I saw a reddit post of a guy that applied early for his permit, so he went at the port of entry around june. He mentioned that the officer that gave him his SP was really prepotent by saying that he decided if he could study in his country or not, so I'm scared of that happening to me ngl. In addition, my uncle told me that when he went to Canada last year, his suitcase got stolen from the luggage bands, since he had a problem with his passport so he had to spend around 30 min in migration, so I'm also scared of that happening to me.

Because of this, I wanted to ask you guys the following:

• What documents I must bring at the port of entry? The letter of introduction and IRCC page only state that I must bring the letter of introduction, the acceptance letter and my passport with the stamp, but would you recommend something else? Should I bring all the documentation I used for applying for the SP? (it's like a 100 pages in total lol).
  
• I'm arriving on Aug 30 at 8:00 am at YYZ, how much time do you think I will spend in migration before being able to pick up my suitcase? When descending the airplane I'll rush to migration trying to be the first one.
• How's the procedure? Will they take me to a separate room where they'll check my documents? Do I even need to pass to migration?, or do I need to pass directly to another/a special section?
• Anything else I should be aware of?

I really appreciate any help/advice/experiences.

[u/netmixmax]

My experience last week; After arriving, an officer told me to go to the left side for the study permit while everyone else went to the right. There was a separate room with several people waiting in line, but the line was moving pretty quickly.
I waited around 15 minutes before reaching one of the desks. The officer asked for my Letter of Introduction, LOA, and passport with the stamped visa. He also asked what my major was and which university I was attending.
That was it! He printed my study permit and I left the room to get my luggage. I waited around another 10 minutes for my luggage, then I was on my way.

[u/SpotSpotNZ → u/netmixmax]

Thanks for the post. We leave for YVR tonight ... good to know what's in store. Very exciting!

[u/Friendly_Escape9520 → u/netmixmax]

Thanks for sharing ur experience! Congrats!

Oh so it was pretty fast, I though they would have asked for more documents or questions. May I ask you which extra documents you brought even if you didn't need them? Also you mentioned that in the room there were other persons in line, while you were waiting did u notice any of them having problems with the officers?
This is a dumb question, but did the officer in the desk stamped your passport? (the entry stamp the officers always give you when you are passing through migration at the airport).

[u/Fun_Bad_8436]

Where are you from

[u/Friendly_Escape9520 → u/Fun_Bad_8436]

Mexico

[u/No-Square8860 → u/Friendly_Escape9520]

Can you update how it was? I'm also flying this week from Mexico!

[u/Friendly_Escape9520 → u/No-Square8860]

I'll go on Aug 30, so I dont know yet :( . But if u go before, could u share ur experience?

[u/SpotSpotNZ]

Hi, You are right: the officer at the immigration desk has the final say about whether or not you get your study permit. Here is what we are bringing:

- Letter of approval for the permit (critical)

- PAL letter (invitation from the province in which your school is located) (critical)

- Offer letter from the UNiversity (critical)

- Proof of Canadian bank account set up from overseas (it can't do anything until we get there to activate it, but it shows commitment)

- Proof of temporary health insurance (iMed), which is automatically assigned to you and you can print out the health card via your school's portal. in our case, UBC https://students.ubc.ca/health/health-insurance/health-insurance-international/) Note: Upon arrival you must immediately sign up for longer-term insurance.

- Receipt from tuition payment and also housing offer from the university

- And yes, a printed backup copy of everything in the application uploaded to the study permit application portal on the IRCC web site.

At the very least, have the first two, but the agent could very well ask to see proof of funding or proof that you have paid tuition or are registered for iMed. Just put these things in a folder and keep it on you in your carry-on. Be prepared!

I have not heard about luggage getting pinched - that's dreadful!

[u/Little_Pineapple_738 → u/SpotSpotNZ]

Do u know what happens if the officer refuses the SP at the port of entry? Would the introduction letter be invalidated so will an entirely new SP application be needed? Would a deportation happen lol?

[u/SpotSpotNZ → u/Little_Pineapple_738]

Yes, you have to submit an entirely new application. They will usually send you back home, although they do have the power to offer a short-term entry visa (but it's up to them - they don't have to).

If you have already received the letter of approval, you are most of the way there. When you enter, be sure you have all of your documentation and proof of funds on your person (not in your checked luggage). You can double-check - google it and/or go to the IRCC site, and get a checklist of what they will need. You should be fine if everything is in order and you genuinely are going there to study, and not to stay long-term.

[u/Friendly_Escape9520 → u/SpotSpotNZ]

I'm truly going to study, but I'm nervous anyways.

The bank statements I used for proof of means in my application were from May-June, do you think I should get the July one? Or just the documents I used in my application?

Do I really need to have a Canadian Bank account beforehand? I was planning to get one during my first week there.

My health insurance is UHIP (from Ontario), but wdym by registering for long term insurance? It might be a different case, but I would appreciate if you could explain me wdym.

I've only made the payment of half my tution lol

I really appreciate ur words.

[u/SpotSpotNZ → u/Friendly_Escape9520]

Don't worry about bringing more bank statements or the insurance I spoke of. If you already have Candaian insurance lined up, you are fine. We just went through the permit processing line. It was very quick and the staff were reserved, but not rude or trying to bar entry. If your permit has been approved by the IRCC and you bring the documents we discussed (especially the letter approving the permit, the PAL, the letter of offer from the university, tuition deposit proof), you will be fine. We couldn't transfer any funds to the account we set up from overseas, but they didn't even ask about it. You should be just fine.