Student Travel Policy & Request Form

Student Travel Policy

Students under Comox Valley Schools custodianship, who live with Host or Exchange families, must follow this Student Travel Policy.  Student safety and wellbeing is Comox Valley Schools’ number one priority.  Comox Valley International Student Program (the Program) must ensure each student has a well thought out travel plan and made reasonable considerations as minor and foreigner in Canada.

Travel beyond the Comox Valley without a student’s assigned host is not permitted without Program approval.  A Student Travel Request Form must be completed by all Comox Valley International students at least:

  • five (5) business days before an anticipated trip outside the Comox Valley; and
  • one (1) month prior to out of country travel. **Please be aware of the District’s USA Travel Suspension

Travel approval by the Program must be received prior to travel.

Travel Considerations

Students travelling outside of the Comox Valley overnight without their host are required to have a chaperone at least twenty five (25) years old.

Students travelling outside Canada with hosts require legalized documentation.

District Travel Advisory: Cancellation of All Travel to the United States

School District 71 has suspended and cancelled all school-sponsored travel to the United States until further notice. This applies to all student and staff trips, including academic exchanges, extracurricular events, competitions, and any other planned district activities.

This action has been taken out of an abundance of caution, due to ongoing and unpredictable changes in US entry requirements, detention procedures, and the risk of deportation for foreign visitors. Recent developments have created significant uncertainty for foreign travelers, including students who would otherwise be traveling under the district’s custodianship.

International Students Under District Custodianship

All international students for whom School District 71 acts as custodian are strictly prohibited from traveling to the United States at this time. This includes travel for leisure, personal reasons, or as part of any school activity. The district cannot guarantee the safety or legal entry of any foreign student into the US, nor can we provide support or intervention in the event of detention or deportation by US authorities.

Key Points:

  • All district-sponsored travel to the United States has been cancelled until further notice.
  • International students under district custodianship must not attempt to travel to the US under any circumstances.
  • This decision is in place to protect student safety, and to comply with fast-changing international regulations.
  • The district will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions evolve.

If you have any questions regarding this policy or require additional guidance, please contact the Comox Valley International Student Program.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Greg Kochanuk
District Principal of International Education
School District 71 Comox Valley
August 7, 2025