Your to-do list before going to Canada

To find the best deal, shop around! Use travel agencies, airline websites or fare aggregators to find the lowest possible price.

Depending on your plans, you can consider the following ticket options:

• A one-way ticket: two one-way tickets can be more expensive than a round-trip ticket but this option gives you the most flexibility. Note that with IEC work permits, a round-trip ticket is NOT mandatory. However, on top of the required CA$2,500 to cover your expenses, you must show you have sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket at the end of your stay.
• A round-trip ticket: often cheaper but offers less flexibility.
• An open-ended ticket: you travel to your destination on a specific date but with a flexible return date.

Note that if you’re entitled to a 24-month work permit, you probably won’t be able to find a ticket with a return date two years from your departure date. With most airlines, the latest return date is usually within one year of your departure, so most people buy two one-way tickets.

Check the airline’s policy if you have special requirements, including travelling with your pet or checking in special baggage items like musical instruments. Terms and conditions vary greatly.

For more information, read Buying your plane ticket.

Can I fly to the US before entering Canada?

It generally doesn’t matter if you fly from your home country directly to Canada or if you choose to enjoy a stopover somewhere else in the world on your way.

However, you must be very careful if choosing to visit the United States before entry into Canada to activate your work permit (once you have your work permit, you can travel across the borders freely!).

The US will not consider you a resident of Canada until you have activated your IEC permit. Until that point, you must be prepared to comply with the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) rules. This means being able to show a return or onward ticket out of North America within 90 days of arrival in the US. Some travellers have been denied boarding if they can’t prove they will leave North America within 90 days (unlikely, since you are probably planning to stay in Canada for one or two years), so proceed with caution.

Note that all eligible international travellers who wish to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for an ESTA before the trip, even if you already have your IEC permit, and even if you are only transiting through the US with a layover. For other countries, check visa requirements before booking your ticket.