Pre-arrival and Arrival

The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) is here to assist all international undergraduate, graduate and exchange/visiting students and their families in their transition to the university and Saskatoon.

After your arrival in Saskatoon, please visit ISSAC to receive an arrival package, learn about our social events and to access settlement support and referrals.  We are looking forward to seeing you at the University of Saskatchewan

Prepare for your arrival: Moving to a new country and city is an exciting venture. It is important that you prepare for your travel and arrival day ahead of time. Here are some tips to help everything go smoothly.

First-night Accomodation and Transportation Service

You can apply for subsidized first night accommodation through ISSAC. The cost of housing for your first night through this program will be $50. To apply for this service log in below using your NSID and password. Note: First night accommodation service is only available to degree-seeking students. If you are an incoming exchange student, you may use this same form to apply for free transportation from the airport to your accommodation in Saskatoon on the day of your arrival.

Accommodation and Housing

  • Find Accommodation and Housing: It is the responsibility of each student to arrange their own accommodation. Apply for housing before you leave your home country so you know where you will be living in Saskatoon. We have a guide to on-campus and off-campus housing available online.

  • Short-term Accommodation: If you would like to find short-term housing close to the university, there are several smaller hotels located on College Drive, which is across the street from the USask campus. You may inquire if the hotel you are interested in offers student rates and ask for your room to be guaranteed for late arrival in case of any flight delays. Depending on your preferences, you may also consider other hotels and housing options in the city.

Residence move-in

  • Early or Late Arrival: If you are looking for Early or Late Arrival, please fill out the required form from Residence Services Office, who will inform you later if they are able to accommodate your request. Questions in this respect can be directed to residence@usask.ca.

  • Express move- in process: You will be able to use the express pick-up line on the move-in day if you apply for your student ID through PAWS by August 26. Resident Student ID cards will be sent to the Residence Services Office allowing you to obtain a move-in package in an expedited manner on the Move-in Day. Please note that you must be registered in at least one class before you can apply for your ID card. To apply for your ID card, click here.

  • Moving into Residence on August 30: If you are an international student and are scheduled to move in to Residence in the afternoon of August 30, you may be able to move in prior to the welcome event by applying for your student ID through PAWS by August 26 and using the express move-in line on August 30.

  • Residence payment plans: You may be able to apply for a monthly payment plan from Residence Services office by submitting a Residence payment plan form. Residence payment plan related inquires can be directed to residence@usask.ca.

Travel and Flights to Canada

  • Preparation: Before you start traveling, pack all valuables such as your passport, important immigration documents and money in your carry-on luggage and keep them safe at all times. You may also want to pack a spare set of clothes, a toothbrush etc. in your carry-on luggage. 

  • Arriving late at night: Check the estimated arrival time for your flight in Saskatoon. If you are arriving later in the evening, please note that you may not be able to move into Residence or obtain your apartment keys on the day of your arrival. In this case, it is important that you have confirmed short-term accommodation for your first night in the city. If your flights are delayed or you are scheduled to arrive late at night, consider taking a taxi to your short-term accommodation. Please note that bus service from the Saskatoon airport is limited between midnight and 6 am.

  • Lost luggage: If your luggage doesn't arrive on the same flight as you did, don't worry. Get in touch with the appropriate airline at the Saskatoon airport to report your lost luggage and give them your address for the first couple of days. If you are unsure of your address, you can also provide them with ISSAC's address on campus. It is Room 80, Lower Place Riel, 1 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan. If you have provided ISSAC's address to an airline, please email us at international.students@usask.ca or stop by our office the following day. ISSAC is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am until 4.30 pm.

  • Jet lag: Upon your arrival, you may feel jetlagged and tired so give yourself some time to rest and relax. Stay hydrated while you travel.

Port of Entry

When you arrive at the port of entry, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agent will speak to you.  They must be satisfied that all admissibility requirements have been met before issuing you your study permit and allowing you to enter Canada.

Be prepared to answer any questions calmly and honestly and have the following documents with you:

Emergency Assistance

If you need urgent assistance upon your arrival in Canada and are unsure how to get help, please contact USask Protective Service at 306-966-5555. Be prepared to provide your name, describe your emergency and provide a contact number or email where you can be reached. A staff member from ISSAC will contact you to discuss your situation in more detail.

ISSAC Arrival Programs and Services

Late Arrival Orientations for International Students

We understand that not all students can make our International Student Welcome. For those students who arrive after August 30, the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) still wants a chance to meet you! Come to one of our late-arrival orientations to learn more about the programs and services available to USask international students, as well as resources on making your transition to Canada as smooth as possible. We will be hosting two sessions. Please sign up below:

Friday, September 6: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the ISSAC Training Room (Room 70.4, Lower Place Riel). Register here.

Thursday, September 19: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the ISSAC Training Room (Room 70.4, Lower Place Riel). Register here.

Visit the ISSAC Welcome Centre

Don’t know what to do when you arrive at USask? Head over to the ISSAC Welcome Centre. We are located in Room 70, Lower Place Riel (behind the food court). The Welcome Centre will run from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. between August 26 and September 6. Volunteers, student assistants, and staff will be present to help you with your settlement questions. There will be plenty of resources available to help make your first few days as easy and enjoyable as possible. Note: The university -- including ISSAC -- wil be closed Monday, September 2 for the Labour Day civic holiday.

ISSAC Health Card Registration Clinics

All eligible international students should obtain a Saskatchewan Health Card while attending the University of Saskatchewan. ISSAC will be hosting several registration clinics throughout the arrival period to help new students with the application process. For more information, including dates, times and registration, please visit the USask Student Events Calendar.

Dates:

All sessions held in the ISSAC Training Room, Lower Place Riel Room 70.4.

Students must bring the following in order to complete the Saskatchewan Health Card application (we can scan all documents for you):

  • Laptop computer
  • Study Permit
  • Passport
  • Confirmation of Enrolment
  • Proof of Saskatchewan Residence (such as a tenancy agreement or power bill)

Workshop: Finding Your First Job in Canada

Come learn about the skills necessary to find employment in Canada as an international student. Join the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC), along with the Student Employment and Career Centre (SECC) as we cover international student eligibility to work in Canada, how to write a resume, effective practices when searching for employment and much more! By the end of the session you’ll have the knowledge to help you in your efforts to secure a first job in Canada. Session intended for first-year international students, but returning students are welcome.

We will be hosting two separate sessions which will cover the same content:

Saturday, August 31: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in Arts 134. Register here.

Thursday, September 12: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Arts 134. Register here.

Workshop: Academic Success as a UofS Undergraduate Student

Want to get a head start on your academics as a new U of S International Student? Join ISSAC and UofS Student Learning Services (SLS) for a workshop that will get you prepared for your first term. Come learn essential study skills for academic success, what to expect in a Canadian classroom and support services available through SLS. Note: The intended audience for the workshop is new degree-seeking undergraduate international students. Graduate students are encouraged to sign up for other workshops hosted by Student Learning Services.

We will be hosting two separate sessions which will cover the same content:

Saturday, September 7: 1:00  to 3:00 p.m. in Murray Library Commons Ground Floor. Register here.

Saturday, September 21: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Murray Library Commons Ground Floor. Register here.

Shopping trip for new international students

On Sunday, September 1, ISSAC will go on our annual Back-to-School Shopping Trip. We will provide free bus transport to Preston Crossing Shopping Centre to pick up everything one could need for a new school year. To join us, please meet in ISSAC Global Connections Student Lounge at 1:45 p.m. Register for this event here.

ISSAC goes to the Nutrien Fireworks Festival

On Saturday, August 31, ISSAC will be going to River Landing to join the city in watching the annual Nutrien Fireworks Festival! We will meet in the ISSAC Global Connections Student Lounge at 7:30 p.m. and then take a beautiful, 30 minute walk down to the event together. Register for this event here.

ISSAC goes to the Huskie Homecoming Football Game

On Friday, September 6, ISSAC will be cheering for the USask Huskies at their Homecoming Canadian football game! The Huskies will be playing against the UBC Thunderbirds for their first home game of the season. The event is free for all U of S students, but please make sure you have your student card ready to present at the box office. We will meet at the ISSAC Global Connections Student Lounge at 6:30 p.m. and walk to the stadium together. Register for this event here.

Essential information for settlement