If you are starting at USask in the upcoming spring or summer term, you are invited to attend the New International Student Welcome, which is an online orientation session.

Attendees will learn more about the programs and services available to USask international students. The orientation will provide new international students with the knowledge and skills they need to not only settle, but thrive at USask inside and outside of the classroom. 

To register for the New International Student Welcome, please follow this link. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not mandate a specific date for when international students should arrive in Canada. Instead, IRCC indicates that students "should just arrive to give yourself a reasonable amount of time to prepare before you start studying."

Please note that international students cannot work on or off campus in Canada until they start their academic program.

Many students also align their arrival to when their accommodation arrangements start, or when they can move into the Campus Residence, so they do not incur extra living expenses with an early arrival. Hence, it's a personal decision depending on the available resources for each student

For students starting in January, ISSAC does not recommend that students travel during the Christmas holiday period as the university is officially closed and USask services are not available to students. However, some students also come during the holiday season to experience it in Canada and maybe do some travelling within the country before the courses start.

The break between Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 semesters occurs from Friday, December 23 at 4:30 p.m. until Wednesday, January 4 at 8:30 a.m. for most USask academic programs.

If in doubt about the above, please talk to us via email at international.students@usask.ca or visit our drop-in advising.

ISSAC, on behalf of the University of Saskatchewan (USask), offers free taxi transportation from the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker Airport to your first night accommodation in saskatoon. Students who are eligible are:

- new international degree-seeking students (this includes students who have already been studying online abroad to start their program and are now entering Canada for the first time during their program)
- new international students registered in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program,
- new international students on an exchange program

Visiting research students are NOT eligible for the taxi service.

The free taxi transportation is from the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (Saskatoon Airport) to a location in Saskatoon.

• Submit your arrival info and taxi request

Apply for your required immigration documents as early as possible so that you can start your studies here as planned. Please read the immigration section in the International Student Guide as well as the study in Canada section on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for more information about study permits and entry requirements.

If you are experiencing delays and difficulties in obtaining your immigration documents, please contact ISSAC at international.students@usask.ca or speak with us through our online drop-in advising. We are here to support you.

You should find permanent housing before travelling to Canada. 

Visit the USask Residence website for more detailed information about on-campus housing for the upcoming summer, fall and winter terms. Contact the Residence Services Office at residence@usask.ca if you have questions. USask has an extensive guide to off-campus housing as well. 

Coming to a new country for your studies means you may go through a process of adjusting to a new country and culture. This a natural part of international student experience.

Students can begin their mental preparation for the cultural adaption process by learning about the stages of the cultural adaption process.

Saskatchewan's cold winters can be quite intimidating to international students. Winter temperatures are, on average, near -20 degrees celsius with temperatires reaching -40 degrees not uncommon. However, with the right preparation, you will be able to adapt and enjoy the winter season.

Students arriving in September (Term 1) will have time to purchase winter clothing in Canada, as the winter temperatires usually don't start until October at the earliest. Student arriving in January (Term 2) should look to arrive in Canada with thick clothing and several layerss to endure their intitial days in Saskatoon.

USask has an excellent guide on Preparing for the cold winter weather which all students should read.

• Prepare for winter weather

All international students are responsible for ensuring they have adequate health care coverage while studying in Saskatchewan. We have prepared the below videos to help you understand the following:

• Healthcare coverage international students should apply for in Saskatchewan:
  • Saskatchewan Health Card
  • USSU/GSA Student plans
• A tutorial on applying for the Saskatchewan Health Card 

Health care coverage needs for study permit holders

Saskatchewan Health Card Application Tutorial

• Apply for Sask. Health Card
• Student health plans

All USask students should obtain a USask student card immediately upon arriving on campus. Your Student ID card is used to

• take out books at the library
• track your meal plan balance
• get into your residence room and building
• access the Physical Activity Complex (PAC)
• get discounts from business' that offer deals to students

Full-time on-campus students should look to obtain their U-Pass bus pass -- now available on your smartphone.

• Apply for a USask Student ID card in PAWS

Looking after one's finances is an important aspect of your stay in Canada as an international student.

You'll want to set up a bank account in Canada as soon as possible. This will allow you deposit and currency you brought with you on your travels, and for any future employment you obtain in Canada. Learn about how to set up a bank account and the doucments required below.

Financial budgeting is a key skill to develop early during your studies at USask as well.

• Set up a bank account
• Make a budget

Photo identification may be required when visiting certain venues or accessing services outside of the Univrsity of Saskatchewan campus. Many non-Canadian national ID cards are not always permitted within Canada.

Instead of using your passport -- which should be kept secure -- USask international students are encouraged to obtain a Non-driver photo ID (informally known as a Saskatchewan ID Card) from Saskatchewan Government Insurnace (SGI).

• Info on the Non-driver photo ID

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a government issued number that is legally required for all work in Canada and is issued for employment purposes only. If you are going to work in Canada, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). If you did not receive a SIN at the port of entry, you must apply at Service Canada.

• Social Insurance Numbers

Building a community of friends is an important part of your time at USask. Make friends and connect with others at USask by:

• Watch for international student events in the Global Connections NewsletterSent to your PAWS email
  • Thursday of every week during the academic year
• Join a international/cultural association in the Global Connections Network
• Connect with Faith Leaders
   

• Get involved