Coming to Canada 

Immigration 

All immigration information for international students can be found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or by calling 1-888-242-2100. 

Under Section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), “Education agents, recruiters and employees at educational institutions, who are paid to provide services to their clients, are prohibited from providing advice to students…with regard to immigration applications, such as visas or student work permits.  As a result, they may not explain or advise a person on their immigration options, complete and submit immigration forms on a client’s behalf, communicate with CIC on a client’s behalf (except for the direct translation of a client’s written or spoken submissions), represent a client in an immigration application or advertise that they can provide immigration advice” (Bob Brack, President & CEO of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, June 20, 2013). 

In order to study in Canada, you will need your Letter of Admissions along with your passport to process your study permit/visa application at your local Canadian Embassy or Consulate. Please go to the IRCC website for details on applying for a visa/study permit and working in Canada. This website has helpful information about work permits for students, information for after you graduate, and for applying for permanent residency. If you are interested in staying in Canada after you graduate, please be aware that the length of study will determine the length you will be granted to remain in Canada after graduation. It is a requirement of CIC that international students study full time. 

Study permits   

By Canadian law, you are required to obtain a valid Study Permit from IRCC. The study permit is a document that IRCC issues to allow foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada. To apply, visit IRCC Study Permit Application. 

Entry visas – Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) 

Also known as a re-entry visa or visitor visa, this is the visa that is stuck like a sticker into your passport. Most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. To find out whether this is required from your country, check the IRCC website for a list of visa exempt countries. 

Travelling to Canada

Current rules for all travellers entering Canada: 

You’re strongly encouraged to check current information on the official Government of Canada website before confirming your travel plans. 

Booking flights and arrival dates 

Loyalist College students should book flights into the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario. 

The approximately driving distance from the airport to Loyalist College’s locations: 

• Belleville: 2 hours 
• Port Hope: 1.5 hours 

Register your travel (mandatory) 

All international students must register their travel in advance by completing our online webform, regardless of vaccination status. 

Step 1:  Preparing to arrive in Canada 

Consider purchasing a refundable ticket for flexibility. Arrivals should be scheduled within four weeks of the semester start, per CBSA guidelines. 

Step 2:  Submit the mandatory online travel registration form with your arrival plans

Complete and submit your travel details via our online form. Ensure all required information and documents are included to avoid delays. 

• If you cannot submit the Travel to Canada web form today, please try again tomorrow, as there is a daily entry limit. 
• Once you have submitted the web form, there’s no need to send an email. 
• Early arrival health insurance will be arranged automatically once you register. 
• Loyalist College does not provide travel documents for entry to Canada. 

Early arrival health insurance (mandatory) 

The mandatory annual health insurance included with tuition begins on the first day of your semester intake (e.g., September 1, January 1, or May 1). If you arrive before this date, regardless of vaccination status, you must purchase Canadian health insurance at a daily rate of $1.65 from your arrival until your policy starts. This insurance is automatically arranged and billed to your Loyalist College student account – no extra steps are needed from you. 

Health care costs in Canada can be very high during emergencies, accidents or illness. The daily insurance cost until your annual policy starts is much lower than potential medical expenses from a Canadian hospital. Students arriving before their mandatory annual health insurance starts and who do not register their travel with Loyalist College will have no coverage. They will be responsible for all medical costs incurred in Canada. 

Entering Canada: Document checklist 

• Valid letter of acceptance (LOA) 
• Proof of tuition payment 
• Valid passport and letter of introduction (study permit authorization) 
• Provincial attestation letter
• Semester schedule (if available) 
• Letters of reference or any other documents the visa office told you to bring (not required if you were not instructed) 
• GIC proof confirming living expenses (only applicable to SDS applicants) 
• No criminal or immigration-related convictions 
• Valid immigration medical exam results 
• myLoyalist portal login credentials – you may be requested to log in at the airport 
• Address of where you will be staying in Canada 
• Airport pickup details 

We recommended that you print each item above for entry to Canada and have each available in your carry-on bag. You can monitor updates on the Information for International Students web page. 

Budgeting in Canada 

Planning your budget before arriving in Canada is very important. As part of the immigration process, you must ensure sufficient funds for your studies and have a financial plan in place. Although there are job opportunities, securing work upon arrival is not guaranteed. Budgeting helps manage finances by outlining income and expenses during your studies, which vary based on personal preferences and needs. 

Bringing Dependents 

When bringing dependents to Canada, it’s your responsibility to arrange their arrival and settlement. Plan ahead before starting your program as there’s no on-campus daycare and children can’t be left unattended. 

Considerations include: 

• Securing larger accommodations for your family 
• Budgeting for additional family living expenses and Ontario’s cost of living 
• Arranging health insurance for dependents (Loyalist only provides insurance for students but can advise on purchasing coverage for dependents in Canada, given the high cost of medical care) 
• Researching daycare options and local school boards 
• Understanding Canadian laws regarding child carseat safety, minimum age for leaving children unsupervised, and other related regulations 

If you’re bringing dependents, please email international@loyalistcollege.com  to schedule a virtual meeting before your arrival in Canada. 

Housing

Residence 

Loyalist College offers on-campus residences in Belleville, Port Hope and Cobourg. To secure a room, you must apply directly through the myLoyalist portal. For details about residence options or to apply, view our Residence and housing page. 

• Please note: The official move-in date for Winter intake is Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Early move-in is not permitted. Students are encouraged to arrive in Canada as close to the move-in date as possible to reduce additional living expenses in Canada.

Off-campus housing 

You have the flexibility to explore and arrange your own housing options independently of Loyalist College. To learn more about how we can support you in finding suitable accommodations, visit the Residence and housing page.

Temporary housing 

When you arrive in Canada, you can arrange to stay at a local hotel for up to three nights at no charge while settling into the community and finding longer-term accommodations. Rooms at a local hotel are shared with other Loyalist College students of the same gender for the initial three nights. If additional nights are needed, you must cover the cost yourself. Loyalist College does not cover hotel expenses beyond the initial three nights. To request your three-day stay in a local hotel, please email international@loyalistcollege.com. 

• Please note: We kindly ask for at least 72 hours’ notice to arrange your three-day stay. Please note that our staff are unavailable on weekends and cannot accommodate last-minute requests for hotel stays. 

Working while in Canada

As an international student in Canada, you will receive a study permit upon arrival, allowing you to work. when your program starts.

While there are opportunities to apply for on-campus jobs, securing a position is not guaranteed. Loyalist College Career Services posts job openings and offers support for your job search in a new environment. Ontario’s student minimum wage is $17.20 per hour. 

On campus 

You can only start working in Canada on campus once your study program begins; working before then is not permitted. 

• On-campus job opportunities are limited, so it is up to you to secure employment. Arriving early with a CV or résumé to give to potential employers is advisable. 
• Working on campus allows you to engage with the college community and gain valuable Canadian work experience. However, relying solely on a student job for financial support in Canada is not recommended. 
• You’ll need approval from the International Centre to work on campus and must maintain a GPA of 60 percent or higher, depending on the position. 

For more details, visit IRCC – Work on campus.  

Off campus

You can work off campus if your study permit allows for on- or off-campus employment.  

• Students can apply for an off-campus work permit through Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 
• This permit allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during school sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks as identified on the Academic Calendar. 
• Each student is responsible for finding their own employment. 

For more details, visit IRCC– Work off campus. 

Coming to Canada Workshop (highly recommended)

New students are welcome to join our weekly “Coming to Canada Workshop” to receive helpful information and ask questions before their arrival in Canada and at Loyalist College. We will provide details on travel planning, arrival arrangements, and settlement assistance so you feel more comfortable upon arrival and know what to expect. The Coming to Canada Workshop is hosted every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST from Nov. 13 – Dec. 18, 2024.

Join Zoom Meeting:

Meeting ID: 896 2223 8406

Passcode: 000000

Students who are unable to attend a Coming to Canada Workshop before departure or who are traveling with family members are welcome to email the International Team to schedule individual virtual appointments at: international@loyalistcollege.com.

International Orientation (highly recommended)

The International team is excited to welcome you to Canada and will be hosting the Winter International Orientation at the Belleville campus on Jan. 2 and 3. This is a specific orientation program designed for newly arriving international students to support students to transition academically, socially and personally. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and meet other new international students before the college-wide orientation program on Jan. 6. There will be refreshments and prizes, too!

Register now to attend our in-person Winter International Orientation

Arriving Late?

The registration deadline for the Winter intake is Jan. 20, 2025, meaning that all students must arrive and attend classes by this date. Students who arrive late and miss the Winter International Orientation are welcome to join a virtual orientation on Jan. 21, 2025 at 10 a.m. EST to meet the International team, ask questions and connect with other students.

Meeting ID: 881 8052 2947

Passcode: 111111

FAQs

Please refer to the International Student FAQ webpage.