When international students arrive in Canada, they face an interview with a Canada Border Services Agency officer who must confirm they meet entry requirements — including what immigration law calls "temporary resident intent." Officers verify that students understand their stay is time-limited and that they plan to leave when their authorization ends, as reported by CIC News.

This differs from permanent residence applications, where applicants demonstrate intent to settle in Canada indefinitely. For study permits, the legal standard flips: CBSA officers assess whether the applicant genuinely intends to depart after completing their program, not whether they plan to stay.

Every traveller goes through primary inspection first. At this checkpoint, an officer reviews documents, asks initial questions, and decides whether to admit the person, refer them elsewhere, or send them to secondary inspection. Students must declare all legally required items at this stage. Anyone entering Canada with 10,000 CAD or more in cash or monetary instruments — including foreign currency, bank drafts, bearer bonds, or traveller's cheques — must proactively declare it. No upper limit exists on how much students can bring, but failing to declare amounts of $10,000 or more constitutes an offence and can result in immediate seizure.

"Secondary inspections are a normal part of the entry process and can be required of citizens, permanent residents, and visitors alike," the CBSA states.

Secondary inspection involves a longer, more detailed review. Referral to secondary does not itself indicate a problem; common reasons include needing more time to verify documents, inspect goods, or ask follow-up questions. Officers may re-review documents in detail and ask the same questions again, requiring students to repeat certain answers. At this stage, CBSA may conduct additional research, check records, and request evidence of funds. Officers also have legal authority to examine digital devices when they have indication that border laws may have been contravened, subject to limits outlined in the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada's investigation.