Information for Incoming International Students

If you have a valid Letter of Acceptance from uLethbridge, you should apply for your study permit immediately. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is recommending that you apply as soon as possible for your study permit, even if you are not able to provide all required and/or recommended documents.

If your offer of admission was for Spring 2024 but you were unable to arrive for January, you may be able to defer your admission to the Fall 2024 semester (if possible). If you have questions or concerns regarding your admission, please contact us.

IRCC has announced that online studies from outside Canada is permitted and without negative impact to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility until December 2023. Any studies taken online after December 31, 2023 will not be eligible for PGWP eligibility requirements. If your study permit is not approved in time for the start of classes on January 3, you will need to defer/re-apply (if you have already deferred once) to ensure that your studies are PGWP eligible.

You may still complete up to 50% of your overall program online, but you must be present in Canada with a valid study permit to do so.

Please contact us for more information.

We would advise that you do not travel more than 4-6 weeks prior to the start of your classes for the Spring 2024 term as there is a possibility that a Border Services officer may not allow you entry into Canada if you are travelling months prior to the start of your classes.

We also recommend not booking flights until your passport complete with Temporary Resident Visa (sticker in your passport) is in your hands. The passport request letter is not sufficient enough approval to proceed with a flight purchase. It may take several weeks to receive your passport back from the Visa Application Centre. As difficult as it may be to postpone studies, it is in your best interest to delay studies than to arrive late.

The latest a student can arrive and be successful for the Spring 2024 semester is January 9, 2024, which is the end of the add/drop period.

• Your valid study permit or letter of introduction from IRCC indicating approval your study permit application
• Your valid passport that you used to apply for your study permit (and temporary resident visa, if applicable)
• Your Letter of Acceptance to uLethbridge
• A Verification of Enrolment from the Bridge showing your registration at uLethbridge, for the current or upcoming term, as applicable
• A valid medical exam (Please note: medical exams are valid for twelve months from the date of the medical assessment). If your medical exam has expired, please undergo a new medical exam prior to your travel. If you have any questions regarding medical exam validity, you may contact our office for assistance. When emailing our office, please include your student ID#, copy of your medical exam assessment receipt and your question.)
• Proof of finances, demonstrating that you have sufficient resources to support yourself and any family members accompanying you to Canada

Please note the Canada Border Services Agency officer makes the final decision on who is permitted to enter Canada.

• They may be able to travel as long as they have the necessary travel requirements: either a TRV or eTA
• They may be able to travel to Canada to join you if you are already here, but may need to have authorization from IRCC.
• They should not travel to Canada before you do.

In all cases, your accompanying family members will need to have their applications to come to Canada (either as a worker, student or visitor) approved by IRCC before they travel.

See here for additional details. Contact your International Student Advisors if you have any questions.

Once you have determined that you are eligible to travel to Canada, you should consider your arrival date.

You should plan to arrive anytime between two to four weeks prior to the start of your classes as this will allow for sufficient time to take care of essential settlement tasks such as finding a place to live, opening a bank account, registering for Alberta Health Care, etc.

A travel support letter is not required for your entry to Canada.

The University’s vaccine mandate for students and employees accessing campus is no longer in effect. Both the Lethbridge (main) and Calgary campuses are mask-friendly but masking is also no longer required.

uLethbridge is offering mainly in-person classes. However, some online courses are available across the Faculties. Registration for Spring 2024 is now open. Registration is done via the Bridge. We encourage you to begin familiarizing yourself with the registration process. View the recording of our Registration Support Webinar for support with the registration process!

According to IRCC, studying outside Canada online is permitted until December 31, 2023. After this date, studying online from outside Canada may not be included in the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.

For incoming students for Spring 2024, you will need to plan to be in-person for your classes. You may still choose to take some classes online from inside Canada. Please keep in mind that you must still complete 50% of your program in-person from inside Canada.

For detailed information, please visit this page.

You may choose to register as a part-time student. However, we recommend always registering as a full-time student (at least 9.0 credit hours, usually 3 classes for undergraduate students) in every Fall and Spring term, beginning with your first term. In order to be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must be a full-time student for the duration of your program (with the exception of scheduled breaks such as Summer or final term of study). This is true even for online classes or classes taken outside of Canada.

Most graduate students are considered full-time students in every Fall, Spring and Summer terms as long as they are registered.

If you are considering taking a part-time course load, please consult with an International Student Advisor to understand the implications of taking part-time studies on your work eligibility and Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility.

Once you enter Canada and your study permit is issued, you will be eligible for a Social Insurance Number, provided your study permit indicates you are able to work in Canada. SIN applications can be made online or in person at a Service Canada Centre.

For Lethbridge Campus Students: An employee from Service Canada will be present to process SINs on campus on December 18, 2023 and January 4, 2024. Come to the International Centre SU060 to apply for your SIN!

For detailed information on how to apply for a SIN, please review the information here.

If you have questions regarding Admissions, contact:

• admissions@uleth.ca for undergraduate admission questions
• admissions@uleth.ca for graduate admission questions