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 services to all degree-seeking, exchange, visiting and EAP students. All newly admitted and current USask international students currently located within Canada or abroad can access any advising service. ISSAC advisors are equipped to handle a wide range of general and case-specific 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

Our advisors are available to meet with you during virtual and in-person drop-in hours, or in 30-minute appointments. Advisors may also be able to answer many questions via an email conversation. 

  • All drop-in advising are confidential one-on-one 15 minute virtual Zoom or in-person sessions with ISSAC advisors, 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.

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.

Via Zoom:

In-person:

Note: Non-immigration advising is not available on Thursday, November 14.

Every Thursday from 1:30 - 3:00 pm,  Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary

Every Tuesday from 10:00 - 11:30 am,  Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary

Provided by ISSAC's Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA). Topics include: study permits, initial and extensions, visas, work eligibility, post-graduation work permit, entry to Canada requirements, inviting family and friends to Canada, and more (not permanent residence questions). 

Via Zoom:  In-person: 

Every Monday (except statutory holidays) from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary

Every Wednesday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary
Additional Zoom Session: Additional In-person Session:

Thursday, November 14 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary

Zoom details are the same for all additional sessions

Thursday, November 21 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Central Standard Time, no appointment necessary

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 our advisors. 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

We may be able to answer your questions over an email conversation depending on the level of complexity and supports required. You can send your questions to international.students@usask.ca. If we are unable to answer your questions via email, we will refer you to drop-in advising or to book an appointment.

In addition to professional backgrounds and training, ISSAC advisors 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. Please remember, we are here to help and share our wisdom! 

Need more help?

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.