🌍 How to Get Through the Canadian Border Smoothly (My Honest Experience & What to Expect in 2025–2026)

The International Student Canada Podcast

00:00 / 9:23

Crossing the Canadian border can feel nerve-racking, especially if it’s your first time entering the country as an international student, worker, or visitor. I still remember the first time I went through border control in Canada, my heart was pounding, my papers were perfectly organized, and yet I still felt anxious.

If you’ve ever felt that way too, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The truth is, most people aren’t sure what to expect at the Canadian border. Between immigration officers, customs declarations, and luggage checks, it can feel like a maze.

The good news? The process today is so much easier than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, travelers had to deal with hotel quarantines, multiple COVID tests, and endless documents uploaded into the ArriveCAN app. Thankfully, all that has changed.

In this post, I’ll walk you through:

What to expect when entering Canada in 2025–2026
What border officers look for
How to prepare your documents
What to say (and what not to say) during questioning
And my honest tips for getting through smoothly, without stress.

✈️ Before You Travel: Preparation Is Everything

Whether you’re coming to Canada to study, work, or visit family, your experience at the border depends heavily on how prepared you are. You don’t need a binder full of paper, but organization still matters.

Here’s what to prepare before you even pack your suitcase:

🧾 1. Travel Documents Checklist

Have these ready printed and digital copies of:

Passport (valid for your entire stay)
Visa or eTA (depending on your nationality)
Study permit approval letter or work permit approval letter (if applicable)
School or employer letter confirming your enrollment or job offer
Proof of funds (bank statements, GIC, or job letter)
Return ticket (if visiting)
Travel insurance (especially for visitors)
Proof of tuition payment – even partial payment

If you’re an international student, include your Letter of Introduction from IRCC and your acceptance letter from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

💡 Pro Tip: Put all your essential documents in a clear folder or travel wallet. When an officer asks for something, you’ll look confident and prepared.

🛬 Arrival in Canada: First Impressions Matter

When you land in Canada, whether in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, or Calgary, you’ll first go through primary inspection. That’s where you scan your passport at a self-serve kiosk or speak to an officer.

The system prints a slip with your information and directs you either:

To the green lane (if cleared for entry), or
To secondary inspection (for further questioning or document verification).

Don’t panic if you’re sent to secondary inspection, it’s very common for students, workers, and people entering for long stays. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.

Book the Basic Package for additional questions, personalized support, and to get the inside scoop on Canadian immigration, straight from someone who’s been through it.
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👮 Meeting the Border Officer

This is the part everyone worries about, the questions. Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers are professional, but they do expect clear, honest answers.

Here are common questions you might be asked:

“What is the purpose of your visit to Canada?”
“Where will you be staying?”
“How long do you plan to stay?”
“Do you have enough money to support yourself?”
“Who will you be living with?”
“Do you plan to work or study?”

If you’re a student, mention your school name, program, and city. If you’re a worker, share your employer’s name and your job role.

💬 My tip: Keep your answers short and factual. You don’t need to tell your whole story, just show that you’re organized, calm, and clear about your reason for entry.

🧳 Customs Declaration: What You Must Declare

After immigration, you’ll head to Canada Customs. This is where you declare what you’re bringing into the country.

Here’s what to be aware of:

You must declare cash over CAD $10,000.
You must declare food, plants, or animal products, even snacks.
Some medications may require documentation (especially controlled substances).
Alcohol and tobacco limits apply.

If you’re unsure whether something should be declared, declare it anyway. Officers appreciate honesty, and it avoids possible fines.

💡 Pro Tip: Canada is very strict about food. Even items like cooked meat, fruit, or homemade treats can cause problems. Stick to packaged goods with clear labeling if you want to bring a taste of home.

🧪 COVID-19 Rules: Then and Now

Let’s talk about how things have changed since the pandemic — because it’s honestly night and day.

🦠 Back in 2021

Traveling during the pandemic meant:

A negative PCR test 72 hours before departure
Uploading everything into the ArriveCAN app
A mandatory COVID test on arrival
A 3-day hotel quarantine (at your expense)
And a 14-day isolation plan after that

Missing one step could have meant denied boarding or entry. It was intense.

🌤️ Now in 2025–2026

Everything is far more relaxed:

No COVID testing required
No ArriveCAN uploads
No vaccine mandate or quarantine
Masks optional at airports and on planes
Focus is now on biosecurity and health screening for other diseases, not COVID

You’ll notice most forms and signage about COVID have disappeared. Canada officially lifted its last pandemic-related entry restrictions in October 2022, and border travel has been back to normal since then.

Still, if you ever feel unwell during travel, it’s respectful to wear a mask and inform a flight attendant. Canada remains health-conscious, even post-pandemic.

🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Go Through the Border Smoothly

Here’s exactly how the process flows today:

✈️ Step 1: Arrival and Kiosk

At most major airports, you’ll use an Automated Border Clearance (ABC) kiosk:

Scan your passport.
Confirm your travel details.
Answer customs questions digitally.
Take a quick photo.
Collect your printed receipt.

Keep that slip, you’ll hand it to an officer later.

👮 Step 2: Border Interview

An officer reviews your documents. Have them ready and stay polite.
If you’re entering for study or work, you might be directed to a separate area to receive your actual permit (study or work).

You’ll be asked to confirm:

School or employer information
Duration of stay
Proof of funds (sometimes)

💼 Step 3: Customs

You’ll collect your luggage and then meet a customs officer.
They might:

Ask questions about your belongings
Scan your bags
Ask if you’re bringing food or money

🚪 Step 4: Final Clearance

Once cleared, you exit into the arrivals hall.
Congratulations, you’ve officially entered Canada! 🇨🇦

❤️ My Honest Tips for a Smooth Experience

After traveling to and within Canada several times, these are my golden rules for a stress-free border experience:

🧩 1. Stay Organized

Border officers notice when travelers are calm and prepared. Keep your papers neat, your answers short, and your phone charged (you might need to show an email or document).

🤫 2. Don’t Over-Explain

Answer what’s asked, nothing more, nothing less. Too much information can sound suspicious even when it’s innocent.

✉️ 3. Know Your Story

If you’re a student, memorize your school’s name and city. If you’re a worker, know your employer’s name. It sounds simple, but many people hesitate under pressure.

💬 4. Be Honest

Never lie about your reason for travel, how much money you have, or who you’re staying with. Honesty is key, CBSA officers are trained to spot inconsistencies.

🌎 5. Keep Emergency Contacts Handy

Have your school’s international office number, your employer’s contact, or a friend’s Canadian phone number. If something goes wrong, you’ll have someone to call.

✈️ 6. Allow Time for Connections

If you have a connecting flight within Canada, allow at least 3 hours between flights. Border checks, luggage re-drops, and long lines can cause delays.

💳 7. Have Proof of Finances

Even in 2025–2026, officers occasionally ask students to show proof they can support themselves. Have a recent bank statement or GIC proof on hand.

🌍 Special Notes for International Students

If you’re an international student, here’s how your entry process works now:

At the airport, tell the officer you’re entering to study.
Present your Letter of Introduction (study permit approval).
The officer prints and signs your actual study permit.
Double-check your name, school, and expiry date before leaving the desk.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your permit safe and make digital copies, you’ll need it for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), school registration, and work eligibility.

🏠 After You Arrive: Settling In

You’ve made it through customs, but your journey isn’t quite done. Here are a few quick steps most newcomers handle right after arrival:

Get your SIN number at Service Canada.
Buy a SIM card or Canadian phone plan.
Open a bank account (students can do this with a passport and study permit).
Register with your school or employer.
Explore your new city!

This part of the journey is exciting, the moment when the months of preparation finally pay off.

🔁 From Then to Now: How Far We’ve Come

Sometimes, I think back to the early pandemic days, when crossing the border felt like a mission. The anxiety, the quarantine hotels, the endless rules, it all felt so heavy.

Today, walking through the same airport feels almost effortless. Families reunite at arrival gates. Students line up with suitcases and nervous smiles. The energy is back, hopeful, alive, and welcoming.

Canada has returned to being one of the most open and student-friendly countries in the world. The process is smoother, the officers are efficient, and most travelers are through customs in under an hour.

Still, the memories of those strict times make me appreciate this simplicity even more. I learned the value of preparation, patience, and staying calm when others panic.

💭 Final Thoughts: Be Calm, Be Prepared, and Enjoy the Moment

Crossing the border doesn’t have to be scary, not if you know what to expect.

Whether you’re arriving for school, work, or a fresh start, remember that confidence and preparation go hand in hand. Have your documents ready, speak clearly, and trust the process.

The Canadian border officers aren’t there to intimidate you; their job is to make sure everyone entering is safe and compliant. When you show that you’re organized and honest, the entire process flows easily.

I’ve seen both extremes, from the strict pandemic era to the smooth, open border we have today. And honestly? It’s a privilege to travel freely again.

So take a deep breath, smile, and step forward. Canada is ready to welcome you. 🇨🇦

The Canadian Border is still very restrictive and requires many steps to enter Canada. Today I will be talking about how I travelled to Canada unvaccinated, the documents I needed, the procedure at customs, and so much more.

Today I spoke about the Canadian border, customs, documents needed to travel, and covid test. I hope you enjoy the episode and subscribe to be notified each time I post the next episode.

🌍 How to Get Through the Canadian Border Smoothly (My Honest Experience & What to Expect in 2025–2026)