Student for Canadian citizens travelling to United States
Full-time study in the United States needs an F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa as appropriate—not a visitor admission.
For a Canadian citizen passport. Permanent residents and other travel documents can follow different rules.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | Canadian citizens enrolled at US schools. · Canada: United States travel advice (opens in a new tab) |
| Maximum stay | Duration of the study programme on the granted visa. · Canada: United States travel advice (opens in a new tab) |
| Cost | SEVIS and visa fees are listed on official US government sites. · Canada: United States travel advice (opens in a new tab) |
| How to apply | Apply after the school issues Form I-20 or DS-2019. · Canada: United States travel advice (opens in a new tab) |
Each fact above is linked to the authority that sets the rule. Entry Visa Guide does not take applications.
Apply only on the government website linked above. This site does not issue visas or travel authorisations and does not take applications. Other websites charge their own service fee on top of any government charge.
How to apply
- Gain admission and receive immigration documents from the school.
- Pay SEVIS fees and complete the DS-160 if required.
- Attend a US consulate interview in Canada when required.
FAQ
Can I take a short course without a student visa?
Recreational short courses may differ from degree study—confirm with the school and travel.gc.ca.
Can students work part-time?
F-1 students may have limited on-campus work—read US immigration rules on the visa.
Sources
Independent guide, not legal advice. Entry Visa Guide is an independent information site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or run by any government or public authority. Always check official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Report an error.