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PREPARE FOR THE U OF A

Welcome to Your U of A Journey

uab.ca/isvs

International Student and Visitor Services (ISVS)

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Housekeeping Reminders

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Session length: Approximately 2 hours, including a Q&A period
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Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the histories, languages, wisdom and cultures of First Nation groups whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that it is located on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway, Saulteaux, Anishinaabe, Inuit and Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 4.

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Welcome

Today's session focuses on pre-arrival planning and settlement basics to help you prepare for your arrival in Canada and at the University of Alberta.

What we will cover today

Before you travel
Arriving in Edmonton
First steps after arrival
Life in Edmonton/Camrose (weather, culture)

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Topics not covered today

Career and employment opportunities
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Detailed immigration topics

These topics will be covered in our international student orientation session and future webinars.

Resources are linked at the end of this presentation

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International Student and Visitor Services (ISVS) supports UofA international students and academic visitors with services, events, and programs. Our licensed immigration consultants and student advisors help with study permits, work permits, visas, social insurance numbers, immigration status concerns, and emergency financial support.

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Explore Alberta

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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

As a U of A student, you are responsible for:

Maintaining legal immigration status
Registering in courses
Monitoring deadlines, University Calendar
Checking your UAlberta email regularly
Understanding university policies and expectations outlined in the Code of Student Behaviour

Ask questions if you are unsure about a process or policy

Student Service Centre

uab.ca/ask

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Before You Travel

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Set up your ualberta email account

Apply for Study Permit

Register in courses

Arrange Housing

Plan your Travel

Review Travel Guide

Organize your finances

Gather important documents

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GETTING READY

Set up your @ualberta email account
Go to apps.ualberta.ca in web your browser
Login with your ccid

Stay in touch with University news including events, calendars, class schedules, contacts, maps, student groups and more! Join your campus community on the app now and improve your student experience with MyUAlberta.

Download MyUalberta mobile application

apps.ualberta.ca/mobile

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APPLY FOR STUDY PERMIT

International students in Canada are required to have a study permit. You need a study permit if you plan to study for more than six months.

Our team of licensed immigration consultants and student advisors can assist you online or in person.

Once your study permit is approved, you will be issued a visa (TRV) or electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) as needed.

University of Alberta’s partnership with BorderPass can support your study permit application at no cost to you.

Join upcoming online sessions.

uab.ca/borderpass

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Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Study Permit

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Visa (TRV) vs Study Permit

An official document (in the form of a “sticker”) that’s placed in your passport after your study permit application is approved.
It facilitates your “entry” to Canada

Final entry approval is made at the first airport you land (Port of Entry).

The expiry date of the visa is the last date by which you can travel to Canada. It does not indicate the date by which you must leave.

The study permit is a “paper” document that is issued to you at the first airport you land (Port of Entry).
It provides you with legal status in Canada and allows you to study at the UofA.
The expiry date of the study permit is the last date by which you can study legally.
If you need more time to complete your program, you must apply to extend your study permit from within Canada before it expires.

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Study Permit Delays

Undergraduate Students:

Have the option to start in January (Winter term) with the same admission.

Contact your faculty advisor to let them know
Drop any fall term courses you may have enrolled in

Graduate Students:

Contact your program advisor to find out the following:

Whether deferral is an option and to understand the deferral process
Whether you will be issued an updated admission letter

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REGISTER IN COURSES

Undergraduate students

Use Bear Tracks > My Schedule Builder to register in courses and manage your enrollment.

Need help? See the Student Registration Experience Guide or ask the student service centre

Graduate students

Consult with your supervisors and departments for course registration information.

You are responsible for course registration and any changes to your registration.

If you decide not to attend the university, you must cancel your class registration to avoid the tuition charges.

uab.ca/reg

uab.ca/reg101

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FIND HOUSING

Living on campus is a great option
Off-campus: Choose a location close to campus or within easy access to public Transit
Review the contract and only sign the lease after you have viewed the property
Book temporary accommodation if needed
Find the international student housing guide, tips and resources on affordable housing on our webpage

uab.ca/housing

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PLAN YOUR TRAVEL

Arrive a few days earlier to allow time settle into your new home
Book your flight and accommodations based on academic schedule
Off campus, most rental agreements start on the 1st of each month, and it’s always good to be settled before classes begin
If you are living in a campus residence, check your move-in date

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Check your move-in date

uab.ca/residence

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Follow the instructions sent to your @ualberta email address to register for your move-in time

Flights are often delayed, so a same-day arrival and move-in plan is not recommended and often is not possible.

1st Year Students (Lister Centre) - Monday, August 24
Upper Year and Exchange/Visiting Students - Wednesday, August 26
Augustana - Thursday, August 27

Contact Residence Services at housing@ualberta.ca

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REVIEW TRAVEL INFO

Do not travel before your study permit application is approved and a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) OR electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is issued to you
Review the travel information on our website
Book direct flights whenever possible and consult the official government of Canada travel advisories and advisories issued by your home country
Consider trip cancellation and travel interruption insurance coverage

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ORGANISE YOUR FINANCES

Currency exchange service is usually available at the airport from 4:30 a.m. to midnight near exit door 9.

Have an emergency plan in place and extra money about $3000 (cash and credit).

Bring $200 to $300 in Canadian cash to cover expenses for your first few days.

If you plan to pay your tuition and fees from an international account, remember to initiate the payment before the term deadlines because international payments take several business days to process.

ualberta.ca/ask

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IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Travel documents: passport, letter of introduction (study permit approval letter), temporary resident visa (TRV) or eTA

Financial documents: proof of adequate funds

University documents: admission & acceptance letters, Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) if applicable, Verification of Enrolment if applicable

A valid medical exam, if applicable

English copy of your medical records

Carry all printed documents including, valuable papers, cash, and traveler's cheques with you at all times. Do not put original documents in your checked luggage

NOTES:

Undergraduate students and Non-Degree Graduate Students need a PAL
Students admitted to graduate degree programs (Masters/PhD) do NOT need a PAL.

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PACKING TIPS

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Weather-appropriate clothing (layering is key)
Important documents (physical + digital copies)
Medications + prescriptions
Basic essentials for first few days, toiletries, change of clothes
Adaptors for your electronic devices, outlets are 110v
Don’t overpack, you can buy items in Edmonton
Contact your airline to confirm the number and size of bags permitted on your flight and follow the baggage guidelines

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Jun-Aug

Sept-Oct

Nov-March

April-May

Snowy and very cold

Temperatures can drop below -30°C

Shorter daylight hours

Warm and sunny

Average temperature: 20–30°C

Long daylight hours in summer

Cooler temperatures

Weather can change quickly

Light jacket recommended

Snow may still happen in early spring

Temperatures gradually warm up

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Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Tip: Many students buy winter clothing after arriving in Edmonton for better selection and proper winter ratings.

Edmonton gets plenty of sunshine year-round even during winter!

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Arriving in Canada

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Go through immigration
A border services officer will examine your travel/identification documents
Answer questions clearly and honestly
Declare cash amount you enter with if it is equivalent to $10,000 or more
Get your study permit. Make sure the Border Officer issues your physical Study Permit before you leave the airport. It may take up to 3 hours

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Study Permit

Check Before You Leave

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Name and date of birth are correct
Institution listed: University of Alberta
Work eligibility conditions included (if applicable)
Review your study permit carefully to ensure all of the details are correct
Let the officer know if you find any errors.
The procedure for changing details after this point can be very time-consuming

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Edmonton International Airport�August 17 – August 31�11 a.m. - 9 p.m. MT

Visit our Airport Welcome Booth

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Getting to Edmonton North Campus

Getting to Camrose Augustana Campus

Taxi
Rideshares (Uber, Lyft)
Public Transportation

Taxi
Shuttle service between the University of Alberta's Augustana Campus and North Campus.

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$25

ISVS offers a discount voucher to help cover $25 of the taxi fare from the airport to your accommodation.

Check your ualberta email in mid-July to apply

Valid only for taxi rides and Not for rideshare (Uber or Lyft)

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Public Bus

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You can take ETS Route 747 from the airport.
The bus service runs 7 days a week from 4:10 am to 12:30 am.
The fare for a one-way trip is $5 cash.
ETS Route 747 provides a one-way bus service between the Airport and Century Park Transit Centre.
After arriving at the Transit Centre, you can take the light rail transit (LRT) or subway to your destination.

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First Steps After Arrival

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Move into your housing or temporary accommodation
Get groceries and essentials
Rest and adjust to time zone
Connect with family/friends
Visit the International Service Centre

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Your Arrival Checklist

Attend Campus Check-in
Apply for Alberta Health Care (AHCIP) (if eligible)
Get your ONEcard
Open a bank account
Get a SIM card / phone plan
Apply for a Social Insurance Number
Update your emergency contacts
Attend Orientation Events

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Visit the International Service Centre

During Campus Check-in, get a welcome bag with useful information.

The ISVS Team and student volunteers who are senior students answer all your questions and guide you through these first steps.

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Health Care + Insurance

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You cannot apply for Health Insurance before arriving in Canada

Once you arrive, visit the International Service Centre and we will show you what you need to do for health insurance!

Healthcare in Canada is expensive without insurance and is mandatory for all international students

Check the U of A Health Insurance webpage and more details will be shared during orientation

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Health Insurance Fees Explained

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Non-instructional fees in your Bear Tracks account do not represent basic health insurance.

Student Health and Wellness: Fee to use the University’s health and wellness services such as the health clinic.
Students' Union Health Plan: for undergraduate students, this is your supplementary health insurance fee.
GSA Health Plan: For graduate students, this is your supplementary health insurance fee.
UAHIP Foreign Health: If you don’t have this fee in your account, you are not enrolled in UAHIP and probably don’t require UAHIP.

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Disability Cultures + Access Hub

uab.ca/acb

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The Disability Cultures and Access Hub (DCA Hub) is a database of U of A resources that can help students, faculty and staff to navigate disability-related barriers, register for and implement accommodations (supports), improve accessibility and engage with disability cultures.

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Get your ONEcard

Upload your photo while registering for orientation and wait for a photo approval email with a pickup date.
Register in at least one class
Pick up your ONEcard at one of our locations. You must present a government-issued photo ID and your U of A ID number.

uab.ca/onecard

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Your ONEcard is your official U of A identification and so much more. It’s the one card you need to gain access to campus spaces, services and supports and to make no-fee purchases at campus vendors.

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Getting Around

Arc Card is a reloadable transit card used to pay for public transportation; buses and LRT through Edmonton Transit Service.

U-Pass is a discounted transit pass for students, included in your fees (if eligible). Gives you unlimited transit access during the term.

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Purchase ARC card from participating retailers listed on the myarc.ca
Register your arc card in the U-Pass App.

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Avoid Scams: Think Before You Click

Be cautious of:

Scam phone calls/messages
Fake emails (immigration, taxes, police)
Requests for money or personal information
Unrealistic job offers

Never share:

Banking details
Passport information
SIN number with unknown callers

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Health & Safety

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Edmonton is a safe city to live in, but there is still crime (drug use, theft, vandalism etc).
Anywhere in Canada for fire, police, medical emergency call 911
(Non-emergency: Call University of Alberta Protective Services (UAPS): 780-492-5050
Augustana: Non-emergency security concerns Call 780-608-2905.

Health Care Providers

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Learn more about settlement services

uab.ca/settlement

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Canada may be very different from your home country, offering new landscapes, cultures, and experiences to discover. Before you arrive, take some time to learn about the country, its people, and what life is like here.

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Resources

Questions?

Submit an inquiry

Student Service Portal