Canadian students do not need a visa to enter the United States, however you must be sure to complete your I-94 record with the U.S. immigration official at your point of entry to the United States. If you enter the U.S. by land, you will be given an I-94 record. If you enter by air, your I-94 record will be entered into the online system. You will need to print out your I-94 record upon your return to the U.S. as evidence of your legal status. In both cases, you will be charged a small fee to process the I-94 record.
As U.S. immigration inspectors are accustomed to admitting Canadian citizens as visitors and not full-time students, it is your responsibility to make sure you are granted the correct immigration status when you are entering the U.S. If you are admitted as a visitor (or tourist) without receiving an I-94 record noting your immigration status (e.g., F-1, J-1, etc), you will have to return to Canada and re-enter a second time.
Travel Document Check-List for Canadians:
- Valid Passport*: must be valid at least 6 months into the future at the time of admission.
- Your Immigration Document: an I-20 for F-1 status or a DS-2019 for J-1 status.
- F-1 students must print (double-sided) the electronically sent I-20s. At the border, you cannot present your electronic I-20 on your phone.
- Printed I-901 Fee Receipt (a.k.a. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee receipt)
- Copy of your admissions letter and proof of funds: while you may not be asked for it, it is advisable for new students to carry these documents as well. Proof of funds can include the same documents you submitted to obtain your I-20 or DS-2019, such as bank statements and scholarship/financial aid letters.
