FAQ for International Students

Study Permits .......................................................................................................................................... 1

Confirming Seats .................................................................................................................................... 2
Refunds .................................................................................................................................................... 3
Deferral .................................................................................................................................................... 3
Arriving in Canada Dates ....................................................................................................................... 3
Quarantine............................................................................................................................................... 4
Travel Support Letter ............................................................................................................................. 5
Health Insurance ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Online/In person transition.................................................................................................................... 6
Post Graduate Work Permit Length...................................................................................................... 6
Other Questions ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Study Permits
Q: When should I apply for the study permit?
A: You should apply for your study permit as soon as possible. Keep in mind that wait times
may be longer while some visa offices are closed. Include all the supporting documentation at
the time of application to prevent your application from being delayed.

Q: What happens if I don’t have a study permit by the time the program starts?
A: If you have not secured a study permit before the program starts you may choose to defer
your application to the next intake offered for your program or withdraw your application.
Please forward your study permit information to our team as soon as you receive it via email at
applytopace@uwinnipeg.ca.

Q: Can I start with a Stage 1 Approved-in-Principle permit?

A: Yes, students who have secured an approved-in-principle permit and made the required
tuition payments may begin their studies in January.
For immigration purposes, please note the following:
• You will not be able to travel to Canada until you have received the Stage 2/Final
Approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• In order to maintain your eligibility for the Post Grad Work Permit, you must receive the
Final Approval and travel to Canada before April 30, 2021.
Visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for more information.

Q: What if my study permit is denied?

A: You cannot appeal a decision however you can try to re-apply for the study permit.

Updated November 10, 2020 1

Q: Can I have my medical exam in advance of receiving a permit?
A: You can either get your medical exam before or after you apply.

Getting an exam before you submit your application

You have the option of getting an exam before you apply. This is called an upfront medical
exam. To get one, contact a panel physician directly.
You can get one if you apply to:
• visit (including parent and grandparent super visa)
• work
• study

Getting an exam after you submit your application

You must go for your medical exam within 30 days of receiving the medical exam instructions
from IRCC. If you don’t follow these instructions, the Government of Canada may refuse your
application.
Visit the Government of Canada website for m ore details

Confirming Seats
Q: Do I need a study permit to confirm my seat even if I’ve paid my fees?
A: Yes, at this time you must have either a full approval OR an approved-in-principle study
permit and have made the tuition payments. We will hold seats in the program for students
who have either full approval OR an approved-in-principle study permit until December 15 and
have made their tuition payments. Please send us your study permit information as soon as it is
received in order to hold your place in the program.
If you have not secured a study permit before the program starts you may choose to defer your
application to the next intake offered for your program or withdraw your application.

Q: When is the deadline for tuition fees to confirm my seat?

A: Please refer to the table for deadlines for tuition payments.

First Tuition Second Tuition

PROGRAM START MONTH
Payment Deadline Payment Deadline
January/ February October 15 December 15
Only students who have made both payments AND received a study permit may begin in their
programs in January.
For students enrolled in 2-year programs, you must make both Year 1 payments by the
deadlines to confirm your seat.

Updated November 10, 2020 2

Refunds
Q: What if my study permit isn’t approved? What is my refund?
A: If your application for Study Permit is denied by the Government of Canada, you may receive
a refund of any fees paid less a $500 Administrative fee. A copy of documentation of visa denial
from the Canadian Government must be provided and attached to the form: Request for
Voluntary Withdrawal from a Full-Time Program.
You can see our refund policy on the website.

Deferral
Q: What is the cut off for deferrals?
A: Students may defer their application by October 31 with no additional fee. If you choose to
defer after this, your deferral may be subject to a fee.

Q: Can I defer with no charge?

A: Students who defer their application after the October 31 deadline may be subject to a fee.

Q: Does IRCC need to be informed if I defer?

A: Yes, it may be helpful to supply Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) with your
updated Letter of Acceptance (LOA) indicating the new start date, to avoid officers requesting
further documentation and delaying the study permit process.

Arriving in Canada Dates

Q: When should I arrive in Canada by?
A: If you have secured a final stage/fully approved study permit, you may travel to Canada as of
October 20. We strongly discourage students from arriving in Canada anytime between
December 23 and January 4, as the University is closed. During this time, there will be NO
SUPPORT available from the University.
In order to maintain your eligibility for a Post Graduation Work Permit, you must arrive in
Canada no later than April 30, 2021, even if your program continues in an online format.
At this time, we do not have a date for transition to in-person instruction, as this is subject to
government regulations. Plans will be communicated with ample notice.

Q: Do I have to come to Canada for January?

A: No. Provided you have made the tuition fee payments and secured your study permit, you
may start your program in your home country. However, in order to maintain your eligibility for
a Post Graduation Work Permit, you must arrive in Canada no later than April 30, 2021, even if
your program continues in an online format.
At this time, we do not have a date for transition to in-person instruction, as this is subject to
government regulations. Plans will be communicated with ample notice
You may still request a letter of support if you choose to travel after your program start date.

Updated November 10, 2020 3

Q: What happens if we don’t arrive in Canada by April 30, 2021?
A: If you do not arrive by April 30, 2021, your eligibility for a Post Graduation Work Permit
application may be affected even if your program continues in an online format. At this time, we
do not have a date for transition to in-person instruction, as this is subject to government
regulations. Plans will be communicated with ample notice.
In order to maintain your eligibility for a Post Graduation Work Permit, you must arrive in
Canada no later than April 30, 2021 even if we have not transitioned to in-person instruction.

Quarantine
Q: Do I have to quarantine in Winnipeg or can I quarantine somewhere else in
Canada?
A: The University strongly discourages students from doing their quarantine in a different
Canadian city. Winnipeg is a city in the Province of Manitoba. Although part of the same
country, each province is its own jurisdiction with its own government which sets legislation and
policy, including its COVID-19 pandemic response. You may be required to quarantine again
upon entering Manitoba, if you arrived and quarantined in a different Canadian city.
Canadian border authorities may also question your plans to stay in another city/province when
you are entering Canada to study in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is your responsibility to ensure you
are complying with all federal and province public health guidelines/orders when entering
Canada.
Province of Manitoba COVID-19 Information
Government of Canada COVID-19 Information for International Students

Q: What needs to be in my quarantine plan?

A: Your quarantine plan must include how you will travel from the airport, get groceries, and
access essential services and medical care, should they be required. Please visit the
Government of Canada’s website with for more information about quarantine requirements.

Q: What are the requirements for private quarantine?

A: If you choose a private option (e.g. family, friend or AirBnB, you must have planned for the
following:
• How will you handle airport pickup, getting groceries, access to bathroom (if staying
with family), etc.
• Your plan must be compliant with 14-day quarantine
• You must provide us your local address and phone number
• You must self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms
• You may be subject to random checks from RCMP or police
• If you are quarantining with family and test positive for COVID-19, you must be able to
separate yourself from them and self-isolate
There are serious consequences for breaking the required quarantine including:
• a fine of up to $750,000
• 6 months of jail time
• being found inadmissible, removed from Canada and banned from entering for 1 year

Updated November 10, 2020 4

Q: How much do the UWinnipeg-assisted quarantine options cost?
A: The cost varies according to which option is chosen. Keep in mind, if you are travelling with
family, you will need to secure additional rooms if choosing the UWinnipeg residence option.
This may also be the case if you make use of the hotel option.

OPTION DESCRIPTION COST (APPROX.)

UWinnipeg Residence A private room in campus $1,025 (including food)

dormitory with a private
bathroom; 3 meals delivered
per day

Holiday Inn & Suites (or A private room at the Holiday $2,050 (including food)
similar hotel option) Inn adjacent to campus; 3
meals per day

Q: What are the University accommodations like?

A: For more information on university campus housing, please visit their website.

Travel Support Letter

Q: How long does it take to get a letter of support after submitting the request?
A: You can expect to receive your letter of support within two weeks of submitting your
quarantine plan and request. Please allow adequate time for our team to process your letter
when making travel arrangements.
Note: Students must have made their required tuition fee payments and secured a final
stage/full study permit in order to request a letter of support.

Q: Do I need a separate letter for my family to travel with me/at a later date?
A: The University is not able to provide a support letter for family to travel. Please refer to the
Government of Canada website for more information.

Do I need a travel support letter to travel to Canada?

A: No, however we strongly recommend you request a letter to support your entry into Canada.

Health Insurance
Q: Do we have to pay the complete amount of insurance even we are in our
countries taking the courses online?
A: Yes, you must follow the payment guidelines on our website
• Health insurance charges & coverage start on the first day of your program (or on the
day you arrive in Winnipeg after the start date) and covers you to the end of your
internship
• PACE refunds overpayments once you arrive if you start your program in your home
country
• We process refunds as quickly as possible after you arrive in Canada

Updated November 10, 2020 5

Q: Can I purchase additional Health Insurance if I arrive before my program
starts?
A: Yes, you can purchase additional health insurance coverage to cover you and your family up
to your start date directly through Guard.me at www.guard.me/uwinnipeg
• Up to a maximum of 60 days
• The additional coverage should end the day before you start your program, make sure
you know your exact start date.
• For costs, please refer directly to the Guard.me website

Online/In person transition

Q: When can we expect a transition from online to in-person classes?
A: At this time there is no date for a transition to in-person instruction; this will be dependent
on the public health situation. However, with this new guidance, you may now consider
entering Canada and beginning your program in-country. Plans to transition will be
communicated with ample notice, allowing students who have not yet arrived in Canada to
make plans.
Keep in mind, in order to maintain your eligibility for a Post Graduation Work Permit, you must
arrive in Canada no later than April 30, 2021, even if your program continues in an online
format.

Post Graduate Work Permit Length

Q: How long are post graduate work permits?
A: Programs that are less than 2 years are eligible for a post graduation work permit for the
same duration of their program. Programs that are two years or more, are eligible for a three-
year work permit.
You can refer to the Government of Canada website for additional details.

Other Questions
Q: Do I need to bring originals of my documents when I travel?
A: Please bring all your original documents when you travel. Once we transition to in-person
instruction, you will be asked to provide these.

Updated November 10, 2020 6