International student applying study permit in America

[mollye]

Hi everyone,

I'm a Chinese student living in America for college, and I just get accepted by a grad school in Canada. I have been living in the US for almost 5 years, and I hope that I can bring my car and some of my furnitures with me to Canada. I wonder if that's okay.

I have a multi-entry visitor's visa, but I don't have a study permit yet. When I check online, it says that getting a student visa in the US would take 10~17 weeks. I hope that I can move to Canada at the beginning of the May because I need to go back to China ASAP for visiting my sick grandpa and spending more time with my family. Plus, my lease for my apartment will end this June, and my friend already helped to get an apartment in Waterloo at the beginning of May.

I called the border service the other day, and one of the officer told me that I can apply my study permit at the point of check. In order to confirm his information, I called back, and other officer told me he wasn't sure. I checked online, and that rule was only applied to American residence. I would like to know if I would get my study permit at the border if I bring all the required documents with me. If they won't let me do it, what's the fastest way to get my study permit in US? Can i send my files to some other countries? (some countries only take 2- 5 weeks.) It's my last summer before going to grad school and starting working, and I don't want to be stuck in the US just for waiting for my study permit.

Also, do I need a medical report for applying study permit considering I have been living in the US for the past two years?

Thank you so much for your help!!!!

-Molly

 

[samroc]

Only American citizens and permanents residents can apply for a study permit at the border.

As a Chinese national (Unless you have another passport) you will have to apply for a study permit/TRV just like any other prospective student. You should apply online as soon as possible. Online processing is usually faster than submitting a paper based application. It is highly unlikely that you will need a medical examination if you have been in the US for the past 2 years. However, it is up to the VO to determine that. They will let you know if you need one.

Also, it his highly unlikely that you will be able to get your application processed in time to move to Canada at the beginning of May. Maybe you could apply from China if the processing time there is shorter? Hopefully others can pitch in and maybe suggest something I am missing.

 

[mollye]

Thank you so much! The processing time is shorter in china, but I need to move my stuff to Canada before going back to china to apply my study permit. I don't know if it's okay for me to move with only my TRV. Also, my boyfriend is a Canadian citizen, and he would help me moving too. He has prove that he has spent lot of days in us with me last year. Is it possible that he drives a uhaul and I just drive my car to cross the border? Thanks again for your help!!!!