Frequently Asked Questions
Immigration
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If you owe money to 杏吧原创, a 鈥渇inancial hold鈥 is placed on your registration documents at 杏吧原创 Central. If you are able to pay off the balance, the hold will be released. If you are not able to pay off the balance, and you are facing an immigration deadline such as a study permit expiry date, contact the ISSO. We may be able to facilitate a solution with Student Accounts so that you can submit your application on time.
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IRCC publishes for various types of applications. These are estimates and not service guarantees.
If you submitted a study permit renewal application before the expiry date on your old permit, and if you have remained in Canada, you may continue to study and work as authorized by a study permit as usual, even if your current permit has expired while you are waiting. Your Social Insurance Number remains valid.
If you submitted a Co-op Work Permit Application, you can work as authorized by your study permit until you have the work permit.
If you are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and you submitted your application while you had a valid study permit, then you may be authorized to work without a work permit until you get the decision from IRCC. See the complete eligibility details in the ISSOs PGWP Application Guide.
If you need a new Temporary Resident Visa, then you should remain in Canada until your application is approved and the new visa is inserted into your passport. If you leave Canada, you won鈥檛 be able to return without a valid visa. (There is an exception if you have a valid study permit and travel only to the United States.)
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The ISSO often recommends that students include additional documents to make their study permit or work permit application clearer or more convincing.
The IRCC online application takes only one PDF document for each 鈥淯pload鈥 button. However, you can combine several PDFs into one file and then upload that. If you don鈥檛 know how to do this on your computer, there are free websites that offer a 鈥渕erge PDF鈥 function.
You can also use the 鈥淐lient Information鈥 line for additional documents. It is most important to include all your documents, without worrying about where they go.
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Many 杏吧原创 students are able to prepare their own study and work permit applications. IRCC鈥檚 online system is easy to use, and the ISSO provides information and support for immigration applications.
If you pay someone to do an immigration application for you, make sure they are an Authorized Representative under Canadian law: a lawyer, paralegal, Quebec notary, or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. These professionals are members of regulatory bodies that work to protect consumers against fraud and unethical practices. You can check if someone is authorized by visiting the .
An Authorized Representative will always ask you to sign an IMM 5476 Use of Representative form, to include with your application. Using an unauthorized or undeclared representative is illegal and may lead to a refusal of your application.
Applications prepared by Authorized Representatives don鈥檛 get faster processing times or other preferential treatment from IRCC.
Learn more about Authorized Representatives .
Still have questions? Connect with us through the ISSO鈥檚 Contact Us page!
Study Permits and Study Permit Conditions
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Most international students must remain enrolled in school while they are in Canada in order to maintain the validity of their study permit and their eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
There are some exceptions to this rule. For example:
- International students are not required to register in a school term that is designated as a break for immigration purposes. Regularly scheduled breaks are explained in , section 2.1.2.1 and in .
- A Leave of Absence for one term may be considered an authorized break from studies.
Immigration considerations related to breaks from studies are explained in full on the ISSO website.
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We recommend that you have a study permit that is valid for at least 90 days after the end of your final term. This gives you time to get confirmation that you will graduate and to apply to extend your status in Canada if you want to or need to. This is especially important if you plan to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
You should apply for renewal early in your final term, because you want to receive your new study permit before the end of the term.
It is Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC)鈥檚 usual practice to allow this 90-day window.
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The line in the online application asks for a Letter of Acceptance. But continuing 杏吧原创 students should actually provide documents that update their registration status and expected program completion date; and also show that they are making progress towards program completion.
These documents are produced by the Registrar鈥檚 Office, the FGPA and 杏吧原创 Co-operative Education (for co-op students).
Consult the ISSO鈥檚 Study Permit Renewal Guide for details.
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Post-Graduation Work Permits
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The ISSO鈥檚 web page on Post-Graduation Work Permits explains PGWP eligibility and authorized work during the transition from student to work permit holder.
The ISSO鈥檚 detailed PGWP application guide (found at the same page) will guide you through the process.
See the for an answer to the question 鈥淚鈥檓 waiting for my post-graduation work permit. Can I travel outside of Canada and come back with my student visa?鈥
Students who have questions not answered by these resources are encouraged to contact the ISSO.
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The Government of Canada has created a plain language to the rights of temporary foreign workers.
Canadian Permanent Residence
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Canada has multiple permanent residence programs and each has detailed eligibility requirements. Many have competitive selection processes. There are frequent changes to the programs and occasionally new programs are created.
Most international students won鈥檛 become eligible for any PR program until following graduation. For students who wish to remain in Canada while pursuing their PR options, it鈥檚 important to maintain valid temporary resident status at all times until PR status is confirmed.
The ISSO cannot offer one-on-one coaching, assessment, or advice on permanent resident issues. However, we do provide opportunities to learn and ask questions. A PR Pathways information session is offered each school term. We also have drop-in immigration Q&As where members of our immigration advising team will answer general questions about permanent residence. Events are listed on the ISSO Events Calendar.
Students may also self-enrol in the ISSO鈥檚 Brightspace Course PR Pathways for International Students . This course provides an overview of basic concepts, Express Entry, and the OINP graduate streams, as well as answers to a number of Frequently Asked Questions about transitioning to permanent residence after graduation from 杏吧原创.
UHIP
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You can extend your UHIP coverage for up to 6 months after your classes end. Information and cu_people_phone_ext options are available on our UHIP webpage.
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If you are an undergraduate student, summer is considered a 鈥榙esignated break鈥 and you will continue to be covered to August 31. Please visit the UHIP website to learn all about UHIP health coverage for international students at 杏吧原创.
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If you are taking online classes from outside Canada, then UHIP is not required. You can have the fee removed from your student account by completing our opt-out form.
If/when you decide to travel to Canada, please email us at isso@carleton.ca for the most current travel and quarantine information. Your UHIP will be reinstated based on your travel date. If you plan on coming to Canada for summer term, you must be enrolled in summer classes.
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International students are required to be enrolled with the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). The UHIP premium will be automatically added to your student account. You will receive a Welcome email from Cowan, the insurance underwriters, before the start of the term with details on how to register on their member portal in order to access your UHIP e-card. Remember that UHIP is mandatory for any dependents (spouse and/or children) inside Canada. More details on our UHIP website.
Student Life
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Please check the for scholarships and bursaries available to all 杏吧原创 University students.
Graduate students can check the for information on financial assistance for international graduate students.
Make sure to all check the ISSO鈥檚 list of Scholarships for international students.
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Yes 鈥 The 杏吧原创 Bookstore is ready to help you get the textbooks and other materials you need to succeed in your courses at 杏吧原创. Students can order their textbooks from the Bookstore website at to have them delivered promptly anywhere around the world.
- The bookstore suggests that you place your order as early as possible.
- Some students have had issues using international credit cards on their web site, a recommended solution is to deposit the funds needed onto your Campus Card, and then use the Campus Card to purchase their our site.
- Please use your mailing address, not your home address, if they are different, when placing your order. If you are uncertain on how to write your address for an international delivery, please contact your local post office or delivery service.
- Please use a cu_people_phone number and email that you currently have access to (i.e. don鈥檛 use your future Ottawa cu_people_phone number if you鈥檙e not currently in Ottawa) when placing your order.
- Once your order is placed through their website, the 杏吧原创 Bookstore will be in touch by email with a shipping quote. Once that quote is approved, the payment will be processed, the shipment will be sent, and you鈥檒l receive a tracking number so you can follow your shipment.
- Some countries charge an import fee for textbooks, it will be each students鈥 responsibility to pay these import fees if needed.
Students with any questions about placing an order should contact The 杏吧原创 Bookstore by email at thebookstore@carleton.ca or by cu_people_phone at 613-520-3832.
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Tuition fees at 杏吧原创, which can be found on Student Accounts鈥 page, vary depending on your program. Some international students are eligible to apply to pay domestic fees instead of international student fees. Find these exemptions on the Registrar鈥檚 Office site.
Prospective Students
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If you would like to apply to do an undergraduate degree at 杏吧原创 University, please visit the website.
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If you would like to study in a Master鈥檚 or PhD Program, please visit the website.
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Please visit Incoming Exchange for detailed information on the program.
Faculty and Staff
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Learn about how departments and faculties can propose a new Student Exchange Agreement.
Contact Us
If you have a question and cannot find the answer on our website, please feel free to by dropping by in person, phone call, or e-mail.