TRV/eTA:
A TRV/eTA is an entry document which allows you to visit Canada for six months at a time, unless a Border Services Officer decides otherwise. As a visitor in Canada, you are not authorized to work.
The majority of countries can apply for a TRV. However, only certain countries may apply for an eTA. The benefit of an eTA is that it is a low-cost application ($7 CAD) which usually takes less than 24 hours to be approved. Apply for an eTA here.
Review the list of eTA eligible countries.
An additional list of eligible countries added under the eTA expansion program can be found here. Applicants applying from one of these countries would still need to have a visitor visa if traveling to Canada by car, bus, train or boat and would have to:
- have held a Canadian visitor visa (TRV) in the past 10 years, or
- currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
Study permit:
If you are applying for a study permit, the entry document (TRV or eTA) would be issued to you with a study permit approval. A study permit is a status document which is required for studies longer than six months.
As an exchange student with a valid study permit that includes both on and off-campus work authorizations, you are able to work on-campus without limitations on hours and work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week. In order to work, you would also be required to be registered in a full-time course load. If you're studying at Waterloo for only one term, you still need to apply for a study permit if you would like to work while studying. In your study permit application, it's important that you include a letter of explanation to clarify why you are applying for a study permit for one term of study. If you receive approval for a study permit, and wish to work on and/or off campus during your studies, you need to verify that the study permit has the R186(f) or (v) work condition for on and off campus work stated on it when it is issued to you at the airport.
Please check out the immigration applications webpage for additional resources.
Contact one of University of Waterloo's immigration consultants for free if you have questions.