Arriving in Canada
Port of Entry - Immigration Procedures at the Airport - Transportation from the Airport
Port of Entry
We suggest Toronto’s Pearson International Airport as your port of entry to Canada. It is the nearest international airport to the city of Waterloo, approximately one-hour travel time. It is easy to reach the campus by airport transit service, bus, or train from Toronto. WLU is located in Waterloo; however, both the train and bus terminals are located in Kitchener. The two cities are adjacent and it is convenient to get to WLU by local bus or taxi from locations in Kitchener.
Immigration Procedures at the Airport
All international students arriving at a Canadian port of entry have to show the Immigration Officer the following:
- Valid passport, a US citizen may show a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship
- Canadian visitor’s visa, dependent upon country of citizenship:
refer to the section “Immigration issues before coming to Canada”
- Valid Student Authorization (Study Permit)
- Offer of admission from the university
- Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses and full tuition and for return transportation to the country of residence
Be sure to hold on to these documents or have them in your
hand luggage where they are easily accessible. Do NOT pack them in your
checked baggage.
Transportation from the Airport
Please ensure that you have made your own arrangements for transportation from the airport to your accommodations in Waterloo.
Airways Transit offers
services for transfers between Toronto airport and Waterloo. You can
make a reservation for this service online or by calling 519-886-2121
(24 hours).
Payment can be made by cash, Visa, MasterCard, America Express
or Diners card. If you are coming directly from the Airport to the
University Residence, ask the driver to take you to 34 Bricker Street,
the Laurier Security Building. Check their website for fares &
schedules.
If you made reservations, do let the person at the Ground
Transportation Booth in the airport know, and they will notify the
driver of your arrival. In Terminal One, the Ground Transportation
Booth can be found following these directions:
Using the Escalators:
On the arrivals level, turn right after exiting the
security doors and proceed to POST E in the Terminal. Follow the sign
directions down the escalator to the GROUND TRANSPORTATION LEVEL. The
Ground Transportation Desk is on your left, at the bottom of the
escalator.
Using the Elevators:
On the arrivals level, turn right after exiting the
security doors and follow the signs to the elevators. Press “G” for the
Ground Transportation Level. After exiting the elevators, go left at
the first corridor and the Ground Transportation Booth is located on
the Arrivals Level, between Doors B and C.
Bus coaches or trains do not come directly to Waterloo but to
Kitchener. If you take a bus or train to Kitchener, you will then need
to take a taxi or a bus to the campus.
If you decide that you would like to spend a couple of nights
in Toronto prior to coming to Waterloo, and wish to take a bus or a
train to Kitchener-Waterloo, ask the attendants at the Ground
Transportation Desk for assistance. Learn more about Tourism in Toronto.
When you have arrived in Waterloo, head directly to your
accommodations. For those of you who have chosen to live off-campus,
ensure that you have informed your landlord of your arrival date and
time, so that they are prepared to receive you. Keep a copy of their
contact information with you so you can inform them if your flight is
delayed.
Transportation
Waterloo
| Bus/Transit: | Grand River Transit-519-585-7555 |
| Taxi: |
Waterloo Taxi-519-886-1200 United Taxi-519-888-9999 City Cabs-519-747-7777 |
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
| Bus/Transit: | GO Transit - 1.888.GET ON GO (438.6646)
Toronto Mississauga Transit - 905-896-5000 Greyhound Canada-1-800-661-TRIP (8747) Greyhound USA-1-800-231-2222 |
| Subway: | TTC (Toronto Transit Commission)- 416-393-4636 |
| Airport Express: | GTA shuttle bus to Toronto-1-800-387-6787 |
