Fall Internatinal Student Welcome was held online on September 1, 2020. Welcome for new international students starting in Winter Term will be held in January 2021. We strongly encourage new international students to participate in our onine welcome event.

In January 2021, ISSAC will also offer new international students various workshops and programs in collaboration with other campus parters to help you get ready for your first year studies in this remote learning environment.  Examples of our transition workshops and sessions held in September 2020 include: 

• Online learning in a Canadian context 
• The Library and academic help 
• Technology tips and tricks for remote learning 
• Workshops on immigration, study permits and working in Canada 

More information will be provided here soon.

Immigration and travel restrictions

A majority of USask academic programming will be delivered remotely for the 2020 Fall Term and the 2021 Winter Term. Some students may be required to begin their classes on campus in Canada. 

The Government of Canada has travel restrictions in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Students should not travel to Canada unless they are required by their academic program and they fulfil travel/entry requirements. 

Please monitor our USask updates page for international students to learn current travel and entry requirements for international students. 

• Immigration and travel restrictions

Quarantine upon arrival

Students who will be taking their classes on-campus in Canada and who meet travel restrictions, are required to complete a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Failure to comply with this Government of Canada mandate may result in a severe fine or removal from Canada. 

USask is offering two self-funded quarantine options to international students.

• Mandatory quarantine options

Health coverage when coming to Canada

All students should have adequate health coverage for their time in Canada. In-Canada students may be eligible to apply for the Saskatchewan Health Card to access the Saskatchewan public health care system.

Any questions regarding health coverage can be directed to ISSAC at international.students@usask.ca.

• Apply for a Saskatchewan Health Card
• Student Wellness

Accommodation and housing

All international students starting their studies in Canda should obtain permanent housing before traveling to Canada.  

Please visit the Residence Services office's website for more detailed information about on-campus housing. They have Covid-19 FAQ page about their services during the pandemic. Please contact the Residence Services Office at residence@usask.ca if you have any questions. 

USask has an extensive guide to off-campus housing as well. 

Check out other resources that may help your transition to your studies in Canada. 

• Set up a bank account and transfer money from home
• Learn to budget your finances during student life
• Sign up with Access and Equity Services (AES) if you have a medical or learning-based disability
• Find your community on campus with the USask Faith Leaders
• Find housing and childcare
• Apply for a Saskatchewan Health Card
• Learn about taxes in Canada
• Learn about driving in Saskatchewan
• Connect you with new community
• Connect you with Student Learning Services to receive academic help or tutoring

Our staff members are working remotely to ensure we stay connected during this unfamiliar time – we are here to support you. 

There are many ways for you to get involved and meet new people outside of the virtual classroom — Follow the ISSAC facebook page, attend our online immigration workshops and social events, and join a student group. Together apart, let us stay connected. 

Our current online programming offering includes 

• Daily online drop-in advising from 9:00 to 12:00 noon Central Standard Time (CST)
  
• Virtual social events
• Virtual immigration workshops 
• Weekly Global Connections Newsletter on Thursdays (sent to your USask email). We try our best to help you stay informed of our operations. 

You can contact our office via email at international.students@usask.ca or by phone at +1-306-966-4925.