Items Not Allowed in Canada
If you're travelling from outside of Canada to Waterloo, find out what you need to pack in your luggage and bring with you on your flight.
Before you start packing
- Ensure you're eligible to arrive in Canada based on the current travel restrictions. Stay informed by reviewing our FAQ page for preparing to study, travel and quarantine, and connect with an immigration consultant if you have questions about required documents.
- Review the COVID-19 travel and quarantine checklist and prepare a 14-day quarantine plan, which is mandatory even if you expect to qualify for a quarantine exemption.
- Verify your luggage restrictions with your airline.
- Check which items the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) doesn't permit through Customs (e.g. firearms and ammunition, pets, plants, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products).
- Plan to pack two sets of clothing in your hand luggage in case your flight is delayed or if your luggage is lost in transit.
- Prepare your non-medical masks and face coverings because it's expected that you'll put on a fresh mask when you arrive at the port of entry.
- Arrange to have approximately $3,000-$4,000 CND in travel money (unless you've already transferred money to a Canadian bank).
- Prepare a packing list. Not only will this help you stay organized, but you'll need to show this list to customs when you enter Canada. If you're moving into Campus Housing, review their packing list.
Documents you should bring
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Make sure you have packed the following extremely important documents in your carry-on luggage. You'll be required to present the following documents to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) when entering Canada.
- Passport
- Temporary resident visa (TRV) in your passport, or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) number approval for non United States citizens
- Letter of Introduction for your study permit issued to you by a Canadian visa office (new students only)
- 14-day quarantine plan
We recommend you also have the following documents in your carry-on luggage readily available for review. Connect with an immigration consultant if you have questions.
| Students entering Canada for the first time |
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| Proof of tuition payment from Quest |
| Proof of sufficient funds for at least your first year |
| Letter of acceptance |
| Proof of enrolment from The Centre if you've registered in courses for the fall 2021 term and/or studied online before entering |
| Address of where you'll be living long-term |
| Copy of your English language proficiency scores (bring a copy even if you've already mailed it to UWaterloo) |
| Official academic transcripts from past education (bring originals even if you've already mailed them to UWaterloo) |
| Other government-issued photo identification cards from your country |
| Official English or French translations of birth and/or marriage certificates if you're coming to Canada with your spouse/common-law partner and/or dependent children |
| Proof of a co-op job, if you're entering for a co-op work term |
| Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result |
| Valid immigration medical examination results if coming from a designated country or territory Note: If the exam you completed for your study permit application has expired, or will expire before you enter Canada, you must complete another medical exam with an IRCC Panel Physician before arriving in Canada. |
| Vaccination proof for quarantine exemptions - a copy (paper or electronic) of your vaccination documents (originals and, if applicable, certified translations) |
| Students re-entering Canada |
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| Proof of finances such as bank statements, Quest tuition receipt or proof of funding |
| Proof of enrolment from The Centre for the current and/or upcoming term |
| Proof of a co-op job, if you're entering for a co-op work term |
| Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result |
| Valid immigration medical examination results if coming from a designated country or territory Note: If you've been outside of Canada for more than six months and lived in a designated country or territory, you must complete a medical exam with an IRCC Panel Physician before returning to Canada. |
| Vaccination proof for quarantine exemptions - a copy (paper or electronic) of your vaccination documents (originals and, if applicable, certified translations) |
Items you should pack
- Required documents to present when entering Canada
- Books
- Items that remind you of your home country (eg. flag, music or family recipes)
- Medications
- Toiletries
- Weather appropriate clothes
- Light bed linens (bed sheets, poillowcases, etc)
- Laptop
- Thermometer
- Musical instruments (if you'd like to join an instrumental ensemble)
There's no dress code at Waterloo. Students here usually dress casually in comfortable and practical clothes. Bring whatever clothing you like, in the style that you are used to wearing. If you're in a co-op program, you'll need additional business attire for interviews and work terms.
The weather in Canada varies from season to season. Classrooms are heated in the winter and air-conditioned in the summer. However, we recommend that you bring different types of clothing to suit the changing climate outdoors.
- Spring and summer: Light-weight clothing is best
- Spring and fall: Sweaters and light waterproof jackets are useful for cool and rainy days
- Winter: Heavy jackets, scarves, gloves, hats and waterproof boots are essential
Items you can buy in Canada
We recommend that you buy bulkier or heavier items once you've arrived, especially if you have a luggage allowance. Items you can buy here include: pillows, towels, cleaning supplies, hangers, as well as winter clothes. If you'd like to ship items to Canada before you arrive, contact your Residence Life Coordinator (if you'll be living in Campus Housing) or your landlord. You can also order room essentials from the W Store and have your shipment delivered by Campus Courier for free to your dorm (if you're living on campus).
Source: https://uwaterloo.ca/international-student-guide/resources/prepare/packing