International Student Advising
The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) is here to assist you with your questions you may have as an international student at USask. Whether you are new to Canada, or you have been here for a while - we can help!
How can we help
We are a team of professionals dedicated to international students’ success and well-being. We provide international student advising to all degree-seeking, exchange, visiting, ESL and EAP students. All newly admitted and current USask international students currently located within Canada or abroad can access any advising service to ask questions about life as an international student at USask, including immigration matters and information on working and living in Canada.
How to meet ISSAC advisors
We are available to meet with you in-person and virtually, in drop-in, or in 30-minute appointments. We may also be able to answer many questions via an email conversation. We are here to help!
About advisors
In addition to professional backgrounds and training, we possess a diverse set of skills and experiences. These may range from extensive travelling, living and studying abroad, to being a first-generation immigrant or an international student in Canada, to being multilingual.
Advisors who provide immigration advice to international students hold the Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) designation.
Immigration advising
Provided by ISSAC's Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA). Topics include:
- study permits (initial and extensions)
- visas
- work eligibility
- post-graduation work permit
- spousal work permits
- entry to Canada requirements
- inviting family and friends to Canada, and more (not permanent residence questions).
- All drop-in advising are confidential one-on-one 15 minute virtual Zoom or in-person sessions with ISSAC's Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIA), on a first-come, first-served basis (no appointment necessary).
- Both virtual and in-person drop-in will be closed once we reach capacity, or 15 minutes prior to the drop-in end time, whichever is earlier.
- Do you know your time zone? Use this online time converter if Zooming from another country or outside of Saskathewan.
Virtual drop-in advising
- When you access the Zoom link, you will be placed in a queue in a virtual waiting room. When it’s your turn, the advisor will let you in the session.
- The wait times are determined by the number of students in the queue. Please do not leave the queue and be patient.
In-person drop-in advising
- Please visit ISSAC office in Room 80, in Lower Place Riel. Our front desk staff will greet you and when it's your turn, the advisor will meet you.
- The wait times are determined by the number of students waiting. Please do not leave the waiting area and be patient.
| Via Zoom: | In-person: |
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Every Monday (except statutory holidays) from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary
Please note the last advising session for Fall 2024 term is via Zoom on Monday, Dec 23. |
Every Wednesday (except statutory holidays) from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary
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| Additional Zoom Sessions: | Additional In-person Sessions: |
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Wednesday, January 8 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Tuesday, January 14 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary Zoom details are the same for all additional sessions
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Tuesday, January 7 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary
Friday, January 10 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary
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Please note, ISSAC RISIAs are not taking in more appointment requests for this Fall 2024 term. All appoinment spots are booked. Please use immigration drop-in advising instead. We will be happy to book appointments for early January 2025. Thank you and have a good holiday break.
If drop-in advising schedule does not work for you or your inquiry will require more time, you can request to book an appointment with one of ISSAC's RISIA. You simply need to send us an email at international.students@usask.ca with the below details and we will get back to you with the earliest appointment date and time available:
- NSID and Student Number
- First and last name
- Whether you are in Canada or abroad
- Program/college name
- Detailed description of your situation
- Your appointment preference: in-person, via Zoom or by phone
Non-immigration advising
Provided by ISSAC's International Education Officers. Topics include:
On-campus student matters:
- settling and transition at USask, pre-arrival and arrival supports, newly admitted and returning international student questions, health care, social insurance number, finance and tuition, on/off campus accommodation, general referral to immigration information, and more.
Off-campus student matters:
- settling and living in Saskatchewan and Canada, making friends and connections, cultural and social adjustment, City of Saskatoon supports and services, banking and taxes general information, community referrals for international students’ family members - spouses, common-law partners and children (not immigration questions), and more.
We’d love to connect with you! Book a 20 minutes appointment (in-person or virtual) with one of ISSAC's International Education Officers by clicking the button below.
For in-person appointments, visit us at Room 80, Lower Place Riel, and check in at the front desk. For virtual appointments, simply click the link in your booking confirmation to join—remember to convert the time to your local time zone!
Need to cancel or reschedule? You can manage your booking through the confirmation email or contact our office for assistance.
- Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays), 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary.
- Please visit ISSAC office in Room 80, in Lower Place Riel. Our front desk staff will greet you and connect you with an available International Education Officer.
More ways to connect
You may be able to find answers to many common questions by browsing our International Student and Arrival Guides. These comprehensive online resources provide information about the required immigration documents, working eligibility, how to prepare for your arrival to Canada, and much more.