Most international students must remain enrolled in school while they are in Canada in order to maintain the validity of their study permit and their eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

There are some exceptions to this rule. For example:

• International students are not required to register in a school term that is designated as a break for immigration purposes. Regularly scheduled breaks are explained in Carleton Undergraduate Regulations, section 2.1.2.1 and in Graduate Program Calendars.
• A Leave of Absence for one term may be considered an authorized break from studies.

Immigration considerations related to breaks from studies are explained in full on the ISSO website.

The Government of Canada has created a plain language reference guide to the rights of temporary foreign workers.

We recommend that you have a study permit that is valid for at least 90 days after the end of your final term. This gives you time to get confirmation that you will graduate and to apply to extend your status in Canada if you want to or need to. This is especially important if you plan to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

You should apply for renewal early in your final term, because you want to receive your new study permit before the end of the term.

It is Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s usual practice to allow this 90-day window.

The ISSO often recommends that students include additional documents to make their study permit or work permit application clearer or more convincing.

The IRCC online application takes only one PDF document for each “Upload” button. However, you can combine several PDFs into one file and then upload that. If you don’t know how to do this on your computer, there are free websites that offer a “merge PDF” function.

You can also use the “Client Information” line for additional documents. It is most important to include all your documents, without worrying about where they go.

The line in the online application asks for a Letter of Acceptance. But continuing Carleton students should actually provide documents that update their registration status and expected program completion date; and also show that they are making progress towards program completion.

These documents are produced by the Registrar’s Office, the FGPA and Carleton Co-operative Education (for co-op students).

Consult the ISSO’s Study Permit Renewal Guide for details.

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Many Carleton students are able to prepare their own study and work permit applications. IRCC’s online system is easy to use, and the ISSO provides information and support for immigration applications.

If you pay someone to do an immigration application for you, make sure they are an Authorized Representative under Canadian law: a lawyer, paralegal, Quebec notary, or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. These professionals are members of regulatory bodies that work to protect consumers against fraud and unethical practices. You can check if someone is authorized by visiting the Government of Canada law society directory.

An Authorized Representative will always ask you to sign an IMM 5476 Use of Representative form, found on the IRCC site, to include with your application. Using an unauthorized or undeclared representative is illegal and may lead to a refusal of your application.

Applications prepared by Authorized Representatives don’t get faster processing times or other preferential treatment from IRCC.

Learn more about Authorized Representatives from the IRCC’s website.

Still have questions? Connect with us through the ISSO’s Contact Us page!

If you owe money to Carleton, a “financial hold” is placed on your registration documents at Carleton Central. If you are able to pay off the balance, the hold will be released. If you are not able to pay off the balance, and you are facing an immigration deadline such as a study permit expiry date, contact the ISSO. We may be able to facilitate a solution with Student Accounts so that you can submit your application on time.

You can extend your UHIP coverage for up to 6 months after your classes end.  Information and cu_people_phone_ext options are available on our UHIP webpage.

If you are taking online classes from outside Canada, then UHIP is not required. You can have the fee removed from your student account by completing our opt-out form.

If/when you decide to travel to Canada, please email us at isso@carleton.ca for the most current travel and quarantine information. Your UHIP will be reinstated based on your travel date. If you plan on coming to Canada for summer term, you must be enrolled in summer classes.

Yes – The Carleton Bookstore is ready to help you get the textbooks and other materials you need to succeed in your courses at Carleton. Students can order their textbooks from the Bookstore website at www.carletonshop.ca to have them delivered promptly anywhere around the world.

• The bookstore suggests that you place your order as early as possible.
• Some students have had issues using international credit cards on their web site, a recommended solution is to deposit the funds needed onto your Campus Card, and then use the Campus Card to purchase their our site.
• Please use your mailing address, not your home address, if they are different, when placing your order. If you are uncertain on how to write your address for an international delivery, please contact your local post office or delivery service.
• Please use a cu_people_phone number and email that you currently have access to (i.e. don’t use your future Ottawa cu_people_phone number if you’re not currently in Ottawa) when placing your order.
• Once your order is placed through their website, the Carleton Bookstore will be in touch by email with a shipping quote. Once that quote is approved, the payment will be processed, the shipment will be sent, and you’ll receive a tracking number so you can follow your shipment.
• Some countries charge an import fee for textbooks, it will be each students’ responsibility to pay these import fees if needed.

Students with any questions about placing an order should contact The Carleton Bookstore by email at thebookstore@carleton.ca or by cu_people_phone at 613-520-3832.

Tuition fees at Carleton, which can be found on Student Accounts’ page, vary depending on your program. Some international students are eligible to apply to pay domestic fees instead of international student fees. Find these exemptions on the Registrar’s Office site.

The ISSO’s web page on Post-Graduation Work Permits explains PGWP eligibility and authorized work during the transition from student to work permit holder.

The ISSO’s detailed PGWP application guide (found at the same page) will guide you through the process.

See the IRCC website for an answer to the question “I’m waiting for my post-graduation work permit. Can I travel outside of Canada and come back with my student visa?”

Students who have questions not answered by these resources are encouraged to contact the ISSO.