ELI Pre-Departure Guide

Lethbridge, Alberta | Population: 104,000

The city of Lethbridge is located in the south of the Canadian province Alberta. We are close to the prairies, rocky mountains, and the US-Canada border. 

Weather

Spring | March to June

• Average temperature range: 5°C to 15°C
• Sunny and windy, sometimes with rain or snow

Summer | June to September

• Average temperature range: 20°C to 30°C
• Sunny and dry

Fall | September to November

• Average temperature range: 20°C to -10°C
• Sunny and windy, sometimes with rain or snow

Winter | November to March

• Average temperature range: 5°C to -25°C
• Sunny and windy, sometimes with rain or snow

Shopping, Groceries, and Entertainment in Lethbridge

Apply for a Study Permit

If you plan to study in Canada for 6 months or longer, you will need a study permit. The study permit is a document issued by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) which allows foreign nationals to study at a Canadian institution. 

If you are unsure whether you need a study permit, you can check here. 

• After you Accept your Offer of Admission and pay the $500 tuition deposit, you will receive a 'Letter of Acceptance - Use to apply for Canadian Study Permit' from the Admissions office. This is the only university-provided document needed for the study permit application.^**

See our study permit application guide here

^**Applicants from certain countries may have difficulty obtaining a study permit for EAP only.

If you are interested in continuing your studies at the undergraduate or graduate level at the University of Lethbridge, you should also apply for your preferred degree program. If you meet all other academic admission requirements, you will receive an Academic Requirements Met - English Proficiency Outstanding letter.

When applying for your study permit, submit both your Letter of Acceptance for the EAP program and your Academic Requirements Met letter to your undergraduate/graduate program. This will result in a stronger study permit application.

If you have any questions about applying for the study permit, please contact our international student advisors. Our international student advisors are RISIA-certified (Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors). 

Apply for an eTA/TRV

If you will be studying in Canada for fewer than 6 months¹, you do not need a study permit. However, you still must have valid visitor status. Depending on your situation, you will need one of the following: 

• a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
• an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

¹One semester of the EAP program is 4 months in duration.

Can I apply for a study permit even if I don't need one? 

Yes, you can apply for a study permit even if you do not need one. There are two benefits to this:

1. If you decide to stay longer, you will have the option to extend your studies in Canada.
2. You will have the option to work on-campus.

All ELI students must have basic health insurance. 

Alberta Health Care

If you have a valid study permit and you plan to stay in Alberta for 12 months or longer, you are eligible for basic health insurance through Alberta Health Care. There is no cost to enroll in Alberta Health Care and you can apply through any Registry Agent in Lethbridge.

Health Insurance for Visiting and Exchange Students

If you will be staying in Canada for fewer than 6 months, we recommend that you purchase health insurance through a provider in your home country before arriving in Canada. For students who are unable to purchase health insurance in their home country, you may consider this provider.

See EAP program costs here See International Payment Methods here

Payment Due Dates

Application fee ($125 CAD) - due at the time your application is submitted

Tuition Deposit ($500 CAD) - due when you Accept your Offer of Admission

All other EAP Tuition and Fees - due on the first day of the month following the start of each semester

Spring semester - February 1st |  Summer Semester - June 1st | Fall Semester - October 1st

Can I pay my remaining tuition and fees before the deadline? 

Yes, you can pay your tuition and fees in advance. 

I am an exchange student, a visiting student, or part of a group studying EAP. What do I owe?

If you are studying in the EAP program as an exchange student, a visiting student, or belong to a group from a partner institution, your school or agent may pay all, or a portion of, your tuition and fees. If you are unsure what fees you are responsible for paying, please contact eli@uleth.ca. 

Short-Term Non-EAP Groups

If you are studying with the English Language Institute as part of a short-term custom program, you will likely pay all fees to your home institution or agent. However, you may need to purchase supplies or pay for any optional activities not included in your program cost. 

If you are studying as part of a custom group, your agent or institution will likely arrange your accommodations for you, or they will give you instructions on how to apply for Canada Homestay Network. 

If you are responsible for finding your own accommodation, you can learn more about the different options here: 

Accommodation Options

We always recommend that you plan to spend your first semester with a local homestay family. This will help you learn about Canadian culture in a safe and caring home. It is a good way to improve your English and make local connections. 

If you are interested in staying in on-campus residence, you should apply as soon as possible. Please be mindful of move-in and move-out dates, and note that there are only 3 types of housing contracts available:

1.  Academic Year (8-month contract from September to April)
2.  Spring Term Contract (4-month contract from January to April)
3.  Summer housing (rates and dates vary)

Documents

When travelling to Canada, carry these documents with you. Do not pack these items into your checked luggage.

Students entering with a study permit:

• Valid passport, including Temporary Resident Visa (if required)
• Letter of Introduction approving your Study Permit (issued by IRCC)
• Letter of Acceptance from the University of Lethbridge
• Proof of funds available (bank drafts, statements, or letters of credit)

Learn more about entering Canada here

Students entering with an eTA or TRV:

• Valid passport, including Temporary Resident Visa (if required)
• Letter of Acceptance from the University of Lethbridge and / or Exchange Letter and / or Confirmation Letter from the English Language Institute

Canadian Customs

When entering Canada, you must report what you are bringing with you. The Canadian government allows you to bring a reasonable amount of clothing, books, and other personal items into the country. However, some items (such as alcohol tobacco) are limited to a certain amount, and some items (such as certain food, plant, and animal products) are restricted. Declare all items truthfully. If you are bringing a gift for your homestay family, do not wrap the gift before crossing the border. For more information, check online with the Canada Border Services Agency.

You can download the ArriveCAN app to make your customs and immigration declaration in advance, which could save you time at the border.

COVID-19 Border Measures

Currently, travelers entering Canada are not required to:

• show proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• complete COVID-19 pre-entry or arrival testing
• quarantine upon arrival

You do not need to wear a mask while travelling on the plane or bus, but it is recommended.

See more information here. 

Money

• Credit Cards - Most stores, restaurants, and hotels in Canada accept major credit cards (VISA and MasterCard). 
• Cash - You may want to bring funds in Canadian cash for personal spending money or in case of emergency. However, do not travel with large amounts of cash. 

Make sure you have access to enough funds to cover any expenses including temporary accommodation, restaurants, and miscellaneous purchases while travelling to Canada. Please note that the University of Lethbridge does not accept credit cards for payment of tuition and fees. 

Opening a bank account in Canada

When should I arrive?

We recommend that you arrive in Lethbridge a few days before Orientation and Placement Testing day. This will give you time to settle into your new home before the semester begins. 

Be mindful of your homestay move-in date, on-campus residence move-in date, or the move-in date of your private accommodation. If you arrive in Lethbridge before the move-in date, you may need to find short-term accommodation in a hotel. 

What should I bring?

Packing List

How do I get to Lethbridge?

If you are travelling as part of a group, your agent, your institution, or the University of Lethbridge may arrange a chartered bus to transport you from the Calgary airport to Lethbridge. 

If you are responsible for finding your own way to Lethbridge, here is some information to help you:

The Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the closest international airport to Lethbridge. Calgary is located 250 kilometers north of Lethbridge (about a 3-hour drive). After you arrive in Calgary, there are 2 options to travel to Lethbridge:

1. Take a domestic flight from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to the Lethbridge Airport (YQL). It takes about 45 minutes to fly from Calgary to Lethbridge. 
2. Take a Red Arrow bus from the Calgary International Airport to Lethbridge. The Red Arrow bus drops off at two different terminals in Lethbridge: the University bus loop and City Centre terminal. 

When planning your trip, here are a few things to consider:

• Taking a Red Arrow bus is usually the cheaper option, but may not be the most convenient. When booking your airline or bus ticket, check arrival and departure times. Some days, the Red Arrow only departs from the Calgary International Airport once. If you are unable to take the Red Arrow bus on the same day that your flight arrives in Calgary, you may need to stay at a hotel overnight and take the Red Arrow on the next day.
• Canada Homestay Network (CHN) does not offer airport pickup in Calgary. Your host family will only pick you up from the Lethbridge airport or at a bus terminal in Lethbridge.

If you will be staying in a private accommodation or on-campus residence, you will need to take a taxi from the bus terminal or airport to your destination.