Students Studying in Canada New Students Traveling to Canada

Important OGS Events to Attend

Pre-Arrival Orientation Webinar:

Information on Pre-Arrival coming soon! In our Pre-Arrival webinars we discuss:

• Preparing for your studies at NU
• What to do after your visa approval
• OGS Canada Events and Workshops
• Contact Information
• FAQ and Q&A

You only need to attend one of the following sessions, but feel free to sign up for as many as you like if you need a refresher closer to your departure date!

Pre Arrival Orientation #1:
June 12, 2024 | 11AM – 12PM EST | 8AM – 9AM PST | REGISTER HERE

Pre Arrival Orientation #2: 
July 24, 2024 | 11AM – 12PM | 8AM – 9AM PST | REGISTER HERE

Pre Arrival Orientation #3:
August 14, 2024 | 11AM – 12 PM | 8AM – 9AM PST | REGISTER HERE 

Register Your Travel Plans

Students will need to register their travel with us once their visa is approved and they have a travel date. Travel Registration links will be added soon!

For any additional support, email us at: [email protected]  for questions about traveling to Canada.

Purchase Comprehensive Health Insurance

UPDATED LINKS FOR FALL TO BE ADDED SOON!

All international students are required to purchase Guard Me insurance before coming to Canada to ensure that you have coverage from the day you arrive. Insurance is not included in your fees. Comprehensive health insurance like Guardme ensures that you get the major routine and emergency health services available to you, similar to the provincial health plans (OHIP or MSP).

Guardme is the mandatory health insurance for international students studying at a NU Canadian campus.

• For Toronto Campus students: <Link will be added soon>
• • If you are arriving before September 1st, there is an option to purchase Early Arrival insurance in addition to the New Student insurance here: <Link will be added soon> which will cover you prior to September 1st.
• For Vancouver Campus students:
  • You need to purchase Guardme insurance for the first 90 days in Canada. Once you arrive in Canada, you can apply for the provincial health plan, MSP. All international students are eligible for MSP, only after 90 days in British Columbia.
  • For your first 90 days, you need to enrol for Guardme: https://www.guard.me/neuvancouver/department/apply-for-insurance/new-students

See here for more detailed information about health insurance in Canada.

WHEN CAN I ARRIVE?

We recommend that you arrive no earlier than 1-2 months prior to the start of your program. If you are deferring your start or you arrive early, please note that you must start your studies within 150 days of arriving, or your study permit will no longer be valid and you will be considered to be in breach of the conditions of your study permit. Please see the information on “Breaks in Studies” on our website. Even if you have the correct work authorization on your study permit, you cannot start working on or off campus until you are registered and attending classes full time. 

COVID-19 POLICIES

All travellers, regardless of citizenship, are no longer required to:

• submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website;
• provide proof of vaccination;
• undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
• carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation;
• monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving in Canada.

Please note that in case you have symptoms of COVID-19, you shouldn’t travel to Canada. If you transit through other countries on your way to Canada, please make sure to check their COVID-19 policies and guidelines in advance.

In case you feel sick or experience any symptoms of COVID-19 during your travel to Canada or upon arrival, you should:

• inform the flight attendant, cruise staff, or a border services officer upon arrival. You may be referred to a Quarantine Officer for a health assessment and further direction.
• avoid taking public transportation
• refer to provincial or territorial requirements for what you need to do if you’re symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19

Note: Entry into Canada is determined by a border service officer at the time and place of entry, based on information provided by the traveler. Following the guidelines provided on this page in no way guarantees entry.

For more information on what to expect upon your arrival in Canada, the CBSA put together a video, see here.

The Canadian border services officers (CBSA) will make the final decision about whether you qualify.

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll meet a border services officer who will make sure you meet some basic requirements. To enter Canada, you must have;

• Valid Study Permit or a letter of introduction, identifying you as a person who has been approved for a Study Permit.
• Travel document, e.g. A valid passport.
• A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (e-TA) for non-US citizens.
• A copy of the admissions letter/decision letter/deferral confirmation letter or email if applicable from Northeastern University.
• A copy of the Proof of Acceptance (POA) letter that you submitted for your study permit application.
• Valid and unexpired medical exam records. Please note that medical results are normally valid for 12 months from the moment of administration. This information is also available on the Study Permit approval letter.
• Proof of financial support.
• Any other document that you are advised to provide by IRCC.

If you have applied for a study permit (and co-op work permit, if applicable) and have not yet received your visa and/or letter of introduction, do not travel to Canada until you have received these documents. Be sure to review all your documentation and ensure your information is correct before traveling. If not, please contact IRCC.

Please see here for an informative video by CBSA on documents required upon arrival into Canada.

This is not an exhaustive documentation list, and you should always check the government of Canada’s advice IRCC before you travel.

International Student Orientation Webinar

Registration information coming soon! Please check back. 

Our Fall 2024 International Student Orientation webinar will cover topics such as:

• Intro to the OGS Canada Team and services offered to students
• Study Permit Compliance
• Work Eligibility
• Post Graduation Work Permit
• Common Questions
• Q&A

This session is intended for all New Students who will start their program in September, and it is mandatory to attend.

Upload Documents to the MyOGS Portal

After you arrive in Canada, we will be sending you information on uploading your Study Permit and Health Insurance policy card to our Arrival Questionnaire in the myOGS portal. For compliance purposes, we are mandated to collect and verify that all our international students have proper documentation. You should look out for an email from OGS Canada on this Arrival form approximately 1 month after the start of your program.