FAQs for International Students about COVID-19

On April 9, Laurier announced its plans and approach for the fall 2021 term, with the overall objective to increase our on-campus presence in support of in-person teaching, learning, research and student experience in fall 2021. 

This means that some courses will be offered in person, while some will still be offered remotely. Laurier has compiled a list of frequently asked questions specifically on fall 2021 and winter 2022 course delivery to provide you with more information.

We've created a remote learning hub filled with support services and golden ideas to help make your journey a little easier.

For the latest information on residence for fall 2021, including how to apply and the cancellation policy, please review the frequently asked questions specifically about residence.

Students coming to Canada need to follow all requirements for entering the country, which are updated and amended frequently. Fully vaccinated international travellers may be exempt from quarantine and testing requirements. However, all travellers should have plans in place to quarantine if asked to. Find out requirements for entering Canada and whether you qualify for certain exemptions.

Our Safe Travel, Arrival and Quarantine (STAQ) program will help you meet your quarantine requirements.

No. All individuals required to quarantine must proceed straight to their approved accommodations immediately after arriving in Canada.

Students who have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine not currently approved by Health Canada should note this on the vaccination attestation form. The university will consider options to address the vaccination requirement.

Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to change due to COVID-19. It is recommended that you refer to the IRCC website for updates and changes.

Helpful Links

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Visitors, foreign workers and students
• Study in Canada as an International Student
• Study Permit: COVID:19 Program Delivery

If you're currently in Canada, you must have a valid study permit or have maintained student status to be registered in classes, whether the classes are remote or in person.

If you're outside of Canada, you can begin or continue your studies online/remotely if you have a valid study permit, have been approved for a study permit or have applied for a study permit before your program begins in fall 2021. 

We highly recommend that you begin the process of applying for a study permit even if you do not have all the required documents to complete your application. Ensure that you explain that your documents are missing and why. Please continue to update your application via webform.

Yes, you still need a valid study permit to continue your studies at Laurier, even if your courses are now offered remotely. 

More information on the extension process is available on the IRCC website or you can register for a workshop.

The 2021 spring and summer terms of the LEAF program will be virtual. We highly recommend that you obtain your study permit to begin studying in the LEAF program.

Studying in the LEAF program, whether remotely or in person, does not impact your eligibility for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

The LEAF program office can be contacted at leaf@wlu.ca. 

If you start your studies without a valid study permit, there’s no guarantee you’ll be approved in the future to come to complete your studies.

Laurier will not issue tuition refunds for completed courses due to a study permit rejection. You will also be required to pay tuition for partially completed courses in accordance with the guidelines set in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

We highly encourage you to get a study permit before you start your courses to eliminate these risks.

If your study permit application is refused, please email laurierinternational@wlu.ca as we may be able to support you through the re-application process.

If you will remain in Canada during this time, always plan ahead: check the current processing times to find out how long it will take to process your application, and be sure to submit your application before your status expires.

Even if there are delays in processing your application, applying to renew your study permit or work permit will allow you to stay in Canada and continue studying or working while you wait for your application to be processed. This is called maintained status.

Students that are submitting applications from within Canada are temporarily exempt from providing biometrics. Find out if this biometric exemption applies to you.

This exemption applies to new applications as well as applications already in progress. If you have already submitted your application and paid the fee you will automatically be refunded once your application is finalized. If you are submitting your application now and the online application system asks you to pay for biometrics (CAN$85) you do not have to pay for it and you can ignore the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) that will be sent to you.

Students that are submitting applications outside of Canada must still provide biometrics. Find out what to do if you aren't able to provide biometrics. 

Please note that if you are unable to provide documentation for your application, IRCC will not longer be automatically extending deadlines. You need to make sure you check your IRCC account and update IRCC with reasons as to why you cannot meet the deadlines. IRCC will not longer be holding incomplete application open, so if you miss the deadlines, IRCC may refuse your application. 

Note: Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) related to travel to Canada is changing regularly. We recommend you refer to the IRCC website to check for the most recent information.

If you would like to travel to Canada, you must fulfill two requirements to be eligible to enter Canada: valid documentation and be traveling for an essential purpose.

Valid Documentation

You will need a valid, original study permit or an introduction letter. You will still need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in your passport or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.

Traveling for an Essential Purpose

To show that you are travelling for an essential purpose (that is to study) you need to have a valid study permit or letter of introduction that shows you were approved to study at Laurier, will be attending classes at Laurier soon and will be participating in an approved readiness plan. Laurier’s Safe Travel, Arrival and Quarantine (STAQ) Program has been approved by the province and you must follow our program to receive the documentation needed for travel.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will utilize their discretion as to whether or not your travel will be considered essential and allow entry into Canada, depending on your individual circumstances and the supporting documents you can provide when you arrive at the Canadian port of entry. Documents that you must travel with and provide to the CBSA officer include:

• Valid study permit or a port of entry letter of introduction.
• Passport with TRV or eTA.
• Current Verification of Enrolment (VOE) letters which you can print from LORIS.
• Laurier’s STAQ Program letter and quarantine documentation.
• Proof that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members that are coming with you to Canada.

Before you travel to Canada, be sure you know and understand the rules and are properly prepared. IRCC has a checklist to ensure you meet the most recent requirements.

Some of the requirements may include, but are not limited to:

• Downloading the latest version of the ArriveCAN app, registering in the app and updating your information.
• Getting a COVID-19 test 72 hours before your scheduled departure time and providing negative test results at the airport before boarding your flight.
• Staying in a government-authorized hotel for a certain number of days upon landing in Canada. Proof of hotel booking must be provided before boarding your flight.
• Communicating with Laurier to ensure safe travel from the hotel to Laurier's Waterloo campus, where you will complete the remainder of your quarantine requirement.
• Completing COVID-19 testing upon arrival, during quarantine and upon completion of your quarantine.

All travellers coming to Canada must travel wearing a non-medical mask or face covering and must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. 

You are also required to register for and participate in Laurier's STAQ Program. 

Before you make plans to travel, please make sure you check the IRCC website and the CBSA updates for the latest travel updates and restrictions.

We recommend arranging your travel documents because:

• To study in Canada, you will need a valid study permit (if you are not a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident). You may also need a temporary resident visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. If so, it will be issued as part of your study permit application.
• Once in-person studies resume, you will need your travel documents to arrive in Canada and continue your studies at Laurier.
• Having a valid study permit before beginning studies, whether you're inside or outside of Canada, is especially important for those who want to remain eligible for the post-graduation work permit program (PGWP).

On April 22, 2021, the Government of Canada instituted a 30-day suspension of all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India and Pakistan.

On May 21, 2021, the government extended the suspension until June 21, 2021. 

No. As long as your study permit is valid you can remain in Canada. You will need to extend your study permit if it will be expiring within the next three to six months.

Before leaving Canada, some things to consider are:

• Where is the best place for you to practice social distancing: the city in Canada where you are currently staying or in your home country?
• What level of exposure to the virus will you face while traveling, as well as in your home country?
• Are you able to complete the winter 2020 term from outside of Canada and, if required, to enrol in the spring/summer/sprummer term if you leave Canada?

The IRCC has implemented special immigration measures for certain countries, so we encourage you to monitor the IRCC website for the most up-to-date information.

You can also contact the International Student Advisors, who are certified as immigration advisors for international students.

If you are inside Canada and have a valid study permit, studying remotely will not negatively impact your eligibility to get a post-graduation work permit.

If you are outside of Canada, you must have a study permit, have been approved for a study permit or have applied for a study permit before the start of your program (between spring 2020 and fall 2021). 

Please check the IRCC website for recent updates.

Yes, you can still apply for your post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Applications for your PGWP can be submitted from within or outside Canada.

You must apply within 180 days of completing your program, and have or had a valid study permit. 

Fees for the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) are applied to your student account each term for which you register for classes.

If you will not be in Canada, you can apply for a refund of the UHIP fees but you must do this each term. 

To apply for a refund of the spring 2021 UHIP fees, please complete the Residence Declaration and UHIP Eligibility form.

If you think you think you have contracted COVID-19, or have been exposed to the virus, you should do a self-assessment first following the Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines.

If you need to visit an assessment centre for testing, you should take a paper copy of your UHIP card or your GuardMe card. If you are covered by UHIP, you should also bring a copy of your UHIP claim form (PDF file). If you are covered by GuardMe, you will submit your claim form online.

If you’re living in residence and need to self-isolate, please email residence staff to inform them that you are self-isolating.

If you’re living off-campus, third-party companies are offering delivery services for a fee.

If you need support, or someone to talk to, please know that Laurier International remains open and is providing advising by email. Please contact us at laurierinternational@wlu.ca.

The Student Wellness Centres remain open, but you must call first and follow important updated appointment procedures. Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

International Student Support has in place a multilingual online counselling and advising support service for all international students, accessed through the My Student Support (MySSP) app. The app is available for Apple and Android devices. Please note that the app and all services are free of charge to you as an international student.

UHIP and GuardMe will provide coverage for medical doctor appointments, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, etc., as it does for other illnesses.

The WLUSU and GSA health plans cover the costs of prescriptions for undergraduate and graduate students. GuardMe provides prescription cover for LEAF Program students and Pre-MBA Program students.

• For more information about UHIP check the UHIP FAQs about COVID-19.
• For more information about GuardMe, check the GuardMe site.

UHIP covers very minimal costs outside of Canada. It is highly recommended that you purchase a travel plan for the duration of your stay in the other country.

At Laurier, the UHIP office is the Laurier International office and the plan administrator is Claire D'Alton.

Currently, all on-campus buildings are closed so you aren't able to visit the office. You can still contact the  Claire by emailing her at cdalton@wlu.ca or calling 519.884.0710 x2227.

With all buildings closed on campus, ISS has moved to providing online supports and advising. All International Student Advisors are now working from home and can be contacted by emailing laurierinternational@wlu.ca.

International Student Advisors will be available to respond to your messages and to provide support from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All regular supports and advising will continue to be available. This includes but is not limited to: immigration advising, academic transition supports, and support for your health and well-being. Please stay in touch and reach out to us when you need support.

If you are not receiving updates from Laurier International, please send an email to laurierinternational@wlu.ca. All updates are sent to your myLaurier email address.