Airport pickup and arrival services in Canada cover the hours between landing and reaching your homestay. For an international high school student, day one follows a fixed order: border kiosk, officer interview, study permit, customs, then the pickup driver. According to IRCC (2026), you must show your passport, your port of entry Letter of Introduction and a copy of your Letter of Acceptance. The officer then issues your study permit at the airport. According to the CBSA (2026), you must declare all food and any cash worth CAN$10,000 or more. This guide works best for students under 18 flying into Toronto Pearson and the parents who stay home. One limitation: every school runs pickup its own way. At USCA Academy, the school arranges airport pickup, so confirm your meeting point, contact number and any fee with admissions before you fly.
Key Highlights of Airport Pickup and Arrival Services in Canada
- According to IRCC (2026), the border officer issues your study permit at the port of entry. Never leave the arrivals area without it.
- According to IRCC (2026), a student under 17 travelling without a parent needs a custodian. Parents name that adult on form IMM 5646.
- According to the CBSA (2026), undeclared food can cost you a penalty of $500 to $1,300 per violation, so tick “yes” on food.
- According to the CDC Yellow Book (2026), your body adjusts about 1 hour per day after flying east. Westward, it adjusts about 1.5 hours per day.
- Use a 3-part day one plan: clear the border, meet the driver, then message parents within 30 minutes of reaching the homestay.
Airport pickup and arrival services in Canada take a student from the aircraft door to a safe homestay bed on day one. For a Mississauga private school student, that means clearing the border at Toronto Pearson, collecting a study permit and meeting a school-arranged driver. The part most families miss comes first: the study permit is not in the passport before you fly. According to IRCC (2026), the approval letter you carry “is not your study permit,” and the officer issues the actual permit when you land.
That single fact shapes your whole first day. If a document is missing from your hand luggage, the officer cannot issue the permit. The pickup driver then waits outside while you sort it out. This guide walks you through every stage, from the carry-on checklist to the first 72 hours, and gives parents a separate checklist.
Still choosing your arrival airport and route? Read our sibling guide on which airport international students use to reach a Mississauga private school. This article assumes you have already booked a flight into Pearson.
Day One at a Glance: The Arrival Timeline
Here is the order most students follow at a major Canadian airport. Times vary with queues, so plan for delays at each step.
| Stage | What happens | What you need in your hand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. On the plane | Complete or check your customs declaration | Pen, passport, flight number |
| 2. Kiosk or eGate | Scan passport, answer declaration questions | Passport, receipt from kiosk |
| 3. Border officer | Short interview, then referral to immigration | Kiosk receipt, passport |
| 4. Immigration desk | Officer reviews papers and prints your study permit | Letter of Introduction, Letter of Acceptance, proof of funds, custodian papers |
| 5. Baggage and customs | Collect bags, declare food or cash | Kiosk receipt |
| 6. Arrivals hall | Meet your pickup driver | Phone, school contact numbers |
| 7. Homestay | Arrive, message parents, rest | Homestay address on paper |
What Documents Should You Carry in Your Hand Luggage?
You should carry every immigration and school document in your hand luggage, never in checked bags. According to IRCC (2026), the officer can ask for any of these papers before issuing your permit. If your suitcase goes missing, your documents must not go with it.
The IRCC Port of Entry Checklist
According to IRCC’s study permit arrival page (2026), you need these items at the border:
- A valid passport. Use the same passport you applied with, because your visa or eTA links to it.
- Your port of entry Letter of Introduction. The visa office sends this when it approves your application.
- A copy of your Letter of Acceptance from your school.
- A valid visitor visa or eTA, depending on your country of citizenship.
- Medical exam results, if you needed an exam. According to IRCC (2026), these stay valid for 12 months only.
- Any other letters the visa office told you to bring.
Extra Papers Worth Carrying
IRCC (2026) also says you must “have enough money for your stay.” Carry printed proof of funds, such as a recent bank letter or a tuition receipt. Our guide on how much bank balance you need for a Canada student visa explains what counts.
Add proof of medical insurance too. According to IRCC (2026), “the Government of Canada doesn’t pay for the medical costs of foreign students.” Coverage rules differ by province, so ask your school which plan applies before you fly.
Common Mistake: One Folder, One Copy
Many students pack a single set of originals. Instead, keep originals in one clear folder and photos of each page on your phone. Also email the scans to a parent. If the officer asks for a page you cannot find, a parent can forward it in minutes.
What Do Minors Need at the Border? Custodianship and IMM 5646
Minors need extra paperwork because Canada requires a responsible adult for them. According to IRCC’s page on studying as a minor (2026), the age of majority in Ontario is 18.
Who Needs a Custodian
According to IRCC (2026), a child under 17 who studies without a parent or legal guardian must have a custodian. The custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Students who are 17 may still be asked for one, at the officer’s discretion.
How the Custodianship Declaration Works
Parents appoint the custodian with the Custodianship Declaration, form IMM 5646. According to IRCC (2026), the custodian signs page 1 before a notary in Canada. The parents sign page 2 before a notary in their home country. Carry the notarized original in your hand luggage, even though you already sent it with your application.
USCA Academy lists “guardian paperwork for minors” as a step it confirms before arrival. For a deeper look at the rules, read what the guardian requirement means for international students in Canada.
Tradeoff to know: a relative in Canada can act as custodian, which feels familiar. However, a school or agency custodian often lives closer and answers school calls faster. Ask admissions which option suits your child’s age and homestay.
How Does the Border Work at Toronto Pearson?
The border has two layers: the CBSA handles customs and identity, and immigration officers handle your study permit. You meet both before you see your pickup driver.
Step 1: The Kiosk or eGate
According to the CBSA (2026), Toronto Pearson has primary inspection kiosks in Terminals 1 and 3, and eGates in Terminal 1. You scan your passport and answer the declaration questions on screen. The CBSA (2026) also offers an Advance Declaration feature, which lets you submit answers up to 72 hours before your flight lands.
Step 2: The Officer and the Immigration Desk
Next, a border services officer checks your kiosk receipt and asks a few questions. Answer simply: you are a high school student, you name your school, and you say where you will live. The officer then directs first-time students to immigration, where an officer reviews your papers.
According to IRCC’s after-you-apply page (2026), you receive your study permit at the port of entry. Before you walk away, read it line by line. Check your name, date of birth, school name and expiry date. Fixing an error at the desk takes minutes, while fixing it later takes a formal application.
For the full study permit process, see our guide to Canadian student visas and study permits.
What Must You Declare at Canadian Customs?
You must declare all food and any cash worth CAN$10,000 or more. According to the CBSA’s declaration guide (2026), you must declare “all food, plants, animal and related products” you bring into Canada.
Food From Home
Parents often pack snacks, spices or dried meat for comfort. Declaring these items is not a crime, and an officer may simply inspect them. Hiding them is the risk. According to the CBSA penalties page (2026), penalties run from $500 for a minor violation to $1,300 for a very serious one.
Cash and Monetary Instruments
According to the CBSA (2026), you must declare currency or monetary instruments worth CAN$10,000 or more. That total includes cash, traveller’s cheques and bank drafts combined. A student rarely needs that much cash, so a bank card and a small amount of Canadian money is the safer plan.
What Does an Airport Pickup Service Look Like?
A school airport pickup service means a named driver or staff member waits for you in the arrivals hall and takes you to your homestay. According to the USCA Academy international school page, “Airport pickup is arranged on arrival.” The school’s accommodation and student services page lists airport pickup arrangements alongside commuting help and healthcare support.
Before You Fly: What to Send the School
Send your flight number, date, arrival time and airline to the school at least a week before departure. Include a photo of the student and a mobile number that will work in Canada. Ask the school to confirm the meeting point, the driver’s name and any fee. USCA does not publish a pickup fee, so confirm it with USCA admissions in writing.
At the Meeting Point
Most pickup drivers stand in the arrivals hall holding a sign with the student’s name. Stay inside the hall and do not leave with anyone who cannot name your school and your homestay. Message the school and your parents the moment you exit customs.
If Your Flight Is Delayed or You Cannot Find the Driver
Flight trackers let drivers follow delays, but connections still get missed. Use this plan:
- Rebooked flight: message the school the new flight number before you board.
- Stuck in immigration: send a short text saying “Still at immigration.” Drivers expect this for first-time students.
- No driver after 30 minutes: stay in the arrivals hall and call the school on 905-232-0411, or message on WhatsApp.
- Phone not working: use airport Wi-Fi, or ask the airport information desk to call your school for you.
Mistake to avoid: do not take a taxi alone to “save time.” Your driver and homestay family may already be on the way, and nobody will know where you are.
The Drive to Your Homestay
The drive to your homestay is your first look at the Greater Toronto Area. USCA’s campus sits at 977 Pantera Drive in east Mississauga, and its homestay families live near campus. The ride is usually short, depending on traffic and your exact homestay address.
Use the drive well. Save your homestay address in your phone and on paper. Ask the driver to confirm the host family’s names before you arrive. If you arrive late at night, send your parents a photo of the house number.
USCA homestays typically include meals, utilities, internet and guardian support. Every student also joins a two meals per day dining plan at USCA. If you are still deciding on a living option, compare homestay, boarding and independent accommodation first.
Your First 24 to 72 Hours in Canada
Your first 72 hours should focus on four jobs: rest, stay connected, learn the house rules and get ready for orientation.
Phone, SIM and Internet
Your home SIM may work on roaming, but costs add up fast. Connect to the homestay Wi-Fi first, then set up a Canadian plan within a few days. Our guide to setting up internet and a phone plan as a new international student covers eSIMs, prepaid plans and what documents carriers ask for.
Jet Lag
According to the CDC Yellow Book (2026), people adjust about 1 hour per day after flying east and 1.5 hours per day after flying west. A student from India or China flies roughly 9 to 12 time zones, so a full week of tiredness is normal. The CDC also suggests naps of 20 to 30 minutes. Longer naps can wreck your night sleep.
Homestay House Rules
Ask your host family about these rules on night one, not week three:
- Curfew times on school nights and weekends
- Meal times, and how to tell the family if you will miss dinner
- Shower length, laundry days and kitchen use
- Guests, and whether friends can visit
- Who you call in an emergency, and how to dial 911
Orientation and School ID
According to the USCA admissions page, the school finalizes orientation “ahead of the intake date.” Bring your passport, study permit and Letter of Acceptance to orientation. You may need them for your school records and student ID. Classes run Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, so ask your homestay to show you the route to campus before day one.
Tradeoff: some students want to start class the morning after landing. Arriving two to three days early gives you time to beat jet lag and finish setup. For the weeks after that, read how to stay academically on track during your first month.
A Separate Checklist for Parents
As a parent, your job on arrival day is to track, confirm and stay calm. You cannot enter the immigration area, but you can prepare everything around it.
What to Check Before the Flight
- Your child’s passport, Letter of Introduction and Letter of Acceptance are in the hand luggage.
- The notarized IMM 5646 is in the same folder, if your child is under 18.
- The school has the final flight details and a working phone number.
- Your child knows the driver’s name, the meeting point and the school’s number.
- Your child has a small amount of Canadian cash and a card that works abroad.
How to Track Arrival Day
Follow the flight on the airline’s app, and set an alert for landing time. Expect a gap of an hour or more before your child messages, since immigration queues vary. Agree on three check-in messages: “landed,” “have my study permit,” and “at the homestay.”
Questions to Ask the School
Use these questions with admissions or through the USCA contact page:
- Who will meet my child, and where exactly?
- Is there a fee for airport pickup, and what does it include?
- What happens if the flight lands late at night or changes?
- Who is the custodian, and how do I reach them?
- When does orientation start, and what should my child bring?
Our resource guide for parents of international students covers the months after arrival.
Conclusion: Three Decisions to Make Before Day One
Day one in Canada goes smoothly when you make three decisions early. First, decide who holds which document, and keep every original in the hand luggage. Second, confirm the pickup plan in writing, including the meeting point, backup contact and any fee. Third, agree on the check-in messages between student and parents.
Ready to plan your arrival? Contact USCA Academy admissions to confirm your airport pickup, homestay and orientation date. You can also call 905-232-0411 or email info@uscaacademy.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a port of entry Letter of Introduction?
A port of entry Letter of Introduction is the approval letter IRCC sends when it approves a study permit application from outside Canada. It is not the study permit itself. You show it to the officer at the airport, who then prints your actual study permit. Keep it with your passport in your hand luggage.
Can a parent travel with a student and stay at the homestay?
Most homestays host only the student, so parents usually book a hotel nearby. A parent who travels along may need their own visitor visa or eTA. Ask the school before booking if you want to visit the homestay on arrival day.
Is a custodian the same as a homestay parent?
Not always. A custodian is the legal adult named on form IMM 5646, while a homestay parent provides daily care and meals. Sometimes one person does both jobs. Ask your school which adult holds each role for your child.
What should a student wear and pack for a winter arrival?
A January arrival in Ontario can mean temperatures well below freezing at the airport exit. Pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves in your hand luggage, not your checked bag. Our guide to preparing for a Canadian winter covers the full clothing list.
What happens if the study permit has a mistake?
A mistake on your study permit, such as a wrong name spelling or expiry date, can affect your stay later. Ask the officer to correct it before you leave the airport. If you notice it afterward, you need to contact IRCC to request an amendment, which takes longer.
Can a student under 18 fly alone to Canada?
Yes, many international high school students fly alone. Some airlines require or offer an unaccompanied minor service for younger children, and age limits differ by airline. Check your airline’s policy, and tell the school if your child will arrive with airline staff.
What if the study visa is refused before the flight?
At USCA Academy, a student whose study visa is not approved can continue through the online program at the same tuition rate. That lets your child keep earning credits while you reapply or plan next steps.
