COVID-19 FAQ

You should maintain a valid study permit while you are studying in Canada. You should also continue to comply with study permit conditions.

You must apply for a new study permit before the expiry date on your current permit. Get started by consulting the ISSO’s detailed Study Permit Renewal Guide. Contact the ISSO to ask questions not answered by the guide or to request support.

University documents needed for the application will continue to be available through Carleton Central and email.

You don’t need a study permit to take courses offered remotely if you are not in Canada.

You will need a valid study permit (or approval letter) and Temporary Resident Visa (or ETA) to return to Canada.

You can apply online, indicating that your country of residence is your home country. You should provide a Certificate of Enrolment and transcript to show that you are a continuing Carleton student.  Please contact the ISSO if you have questions or need support.

IRCC’s processing times information page now says: “Processing times may not accurately reflect any disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).” We can expect that processing times will get longer.

If you submitted a study permit renewal application before the expiry date on your old permit, and you are staying in Canada, you may continue to study and work as usual, even if your current permit expires while you are waiting. Your Social Insurance Number remains valid.

If you are leaving Canada, you may need to update your mailing address with IRCC, using the Web Form, so that your study permit is not lost or returned to IRCC. You should give the address of a trusted friend or family member in Canada. If you need a new Temporary Resident Visa to return to Canada, you can apply for that from outside of Canada. You will need a scan of your new study permit for the TRV application.

If you submitted a co-op work permit application, you may begin employment in the summer break period without the work permit.

If you are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and you submitted your application while you had a valid study permit, then you may work without a work permit until you get the decision from IRCC.

The IRCC Call Centre is not taking calls at this time. The only way to communicate with IRCC is through the Web Form.

Your biometrics instructions gave you a 30-day deadline to give biometrics. Your application will not be refused if you miss this deadline because of the closure of Service Canada collection points. IRCC has extended the deadline to 90 days for everyone, as part of its COVID-19 special measures. You won’t receive a personal letter telling you this.

As an exceptional COVID-19 procedure, Residence will hold all mail at least until May 15, 2020. Students who have already left residence and who are expecting mail may either:

• Give a forwarding address that may be anywhere in the world
• Authorize a friend to pick up mail on their behalf

These requests should be sent to resdesk@carleton.ca

Mail that hasn’t been picked up or forwarded will be returned to sender after May 15.

No. As usual, the summer break does not begin until you have finished all your Winter 2020 classes, assignments, and exams. Until then, the 20-hours per week rule for off-campus work still applies.

IRCC has confirmed that completing the Winter 2020 term remotely will have no effect at all on your PGWP eligibility. Under the usual program rules, more than 50% online study during your program makes you ineligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

If you wish, you can apply for the PGWP as soon as your final marks are posted on Carleton Central. Carleton will provide the documents you need to apply for the work permit through Carleton Central and by email.

As long as you apply for the PGWP while your study permit is valid, you can remain in Canada and work while you are waiting, even if your study permit expires during that time.

IRCC, the Canadian Border Services Agency, and the ISSO all advise against applying for the PGWP at the US-Canada border, even under normal circumstances. No one should consider that option at this time.

Students who leave Canada can apply for the PGWP from their home country. If they are approved, the work permit will be issued at the Port of Entry when they return.

Learn more at the ISSO’s PGWP information page or for personal advice, email isso@carleton.ca

You have “implied status” if you applied for your new permit before the expiry date on your previous permit. This allows you to continue working legally in Canada according to the terms and conditions of your old study permit or co-op work permit.

Authorization to Work Under Implied Status

If a temporary resident in Canada applies to extend their status before their current study permit or work permit expires, they may legally remain in Canada and  continue studying and/or working under the same conditions stated on their original permit until Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a decision on their application. This is called “implied status”.

During the COVID-19 situation, IRCC’s processing times are expected to become longer. Even students who applied early for their extensions may be on implied status. Implied status for a Carleton University student can be confirmed by these documents:

• Study permit and/or co-op work permit (even if it has recently expired)
• Acknowledgement of Receipt letter from IRCC, showing an application date no later than the expiry date on the study permit or work permit
• Current Certificate of Enrolment from Carleton University

Refer to the IRCC website for official information about implied status. This includes both a plain language explanation and references to the relevant sections of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Social Insurance Numbers on Implied Status

SINs for temporary residents begin with the number 9. Employers should check that temporary residents are authorized to work in Canada by either their study permit or a work permit. If their document has expired, the temporary resident may still be authorized to work by having implied status. This is confirmed by Service Canada’s Employer Information.

Temporary residents can update their SIN expiry dates only after they receive their new study permit or work permit.

International students may travel to Canada if they can show the airline either:

• a valid study permit; or
• a letter of invitation (approval for a study permit) dated March 18, 2020 or earlier.

As always, students should travel with their passport, Canadian visa or eTA, and proof of enrolment or admission to Carleton.

Travel is subject to health screening for symptoms of COVID-19. Students should also confirm that there are no travel restrictions that apply to them at their point of origin or en route.

All travellers arriving in Canada must self-isolate for a period of 14 days, even if they have no COVID-19 symptoms.

As the COVID-19 situation is developing world-wide, no one knows what travel restrictions might be in place later this year.

As of March 26, 2020, international students are allowed to travel to Canada if they can show the airline a valid study permit, or a letter of invitation (approval for a study permit) dated March 18, 2020 or earlier.

Canadian visa services may be closed or operating with reduced capacity during the developing COVID-19 situation. Some students may already have their applications approved but are not allowed to travel to Canada.

If you are prevented from coming to Carleton to begin your program, you may be able to request to defer your admission. Undergraduates can do that through the admissions deferral request form; graduate students should contact their department.

All summer 2020 courses will be offered through online and other methods of distance learning. Be sure to visit Carleton’s COVID-19 website frequently.

It is recommended that students do a self-assessment first following the Ontario Ministry of Health’s guidelines. Students who need to visit an assessment centre for testing should take a paper copy of their UHIP card and a copy of a claim form with them.

UHIP coverage remains the same for all students covered, i.e., UHIP covers doctor’s fees in clinics and hospitals, as well as lab tests such as X-rays and blood tests.

More information regarding UHIP coverage can be found on the UHIP website.

If you do not have your UHIP card, please email isso@carleton.ca with your student number.

At this time, according to the Ontario Ministry of Health, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. UHIP will cover emergency fees at hospitals and hospitalization fees, if needed. Drugs dispensed during hospitalization are also covered under UHIP. For more information, please visit UHIP Enrollment Plan Details.

Prescription drugs, which you get from a pharmacy, are NOT covered under UHIP. These are covered through your extended health plan, which is administered by your student union. For more information regarding your extended health plan, visit CUSA Online (undergraduate students) or GSA Carleton (graduate students).

UHIP covers very minimal costs out of country. It is highly recommended that you purchase a travel plan for the duration of your stay in another country. Your extended health and dental plan most likely has a travel component. You may check with them to see if that is sufficient or purchase a private travel plan for additional coverage. For more information regarding your extended health plan, visit CUSA Online (undergraduate students) or GSA Carleton (graduate students).

To check your UHIP status and to get your UHIP card, or for any other UHIP inquiries, please email isso@carleton.ca with your student number.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in the Ottawa region and around the world, Carleton has been constantly re-evaluating our plans. Please note that all International Student Services Office events scheduled to occur before April 30, 2020 have been cancelled.

As we take steps to reduce our on-campus operations and move most of our activities online, the staff at the ISSO are working remotely. Please email isso@carleton.ca for assistance and we will response as soon as possible.

To limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community, public health officials are encouraging the practice of social distancing. In-person events and programs on campus have been cancelled to enhance the safety of our community, however, Carleton is providing student supports and resources through alternative formats. Students are also encouraged to regularly connect with friends and family on the phone, via social media, or other apps.

Whether you are staying in Ottawa or travelling back home, the ISSO has compiled mental health and well-being resources you can access if you are experiencing distress or are struggling with feelings of fear, loneliness, or worry. This list is evolving, so we encourage you to check back over time as new wellness resources become available.

If you have decided to remain in your exchange destination, please make sure to:

1. Email exchange@carleton.ca informing us of your decision.
2. Continue to prioritize your safety and follow the advice and guidance of the National Government and your Host institution.
3. Update your Travel Registry on Carleton Central with your contact information and address.
4. Register with the International SOS app (International SOS Assistance). To sign in, use Carleton’s membership log-in number: 27ACAS71467
5. Register as a Canadian Abroad.

If you have decided to return to Canada, please make sure to:

1. Email exchange@carleton.ca informing us of your decision.
2. Complete the Special Considerations for Financial Assistance for International Travel Form, designed to provide reasonable financial support to students who may require assistance to return home, for any unplanned or unforeseen expenses. The federal government has also announced a $5,000 emergency loan program that can be a helpful resource.
3. Continue to monitor the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories for the most up-to-date information prior to departure.
4. Register with the International SOS app (International SOS Assistance). To sign in, use Carleton’s membership log-in number: 27ACAS71467
5. Anyone returning from an international location is required to self-isolate for 14 days and continue to monitor your health. This includes avoiding coming to the Carleton campus. We ask that you follow recommendations from Ottawa Public Health.
6. Contingency plans for academic accommodation are being determined for those who end their time abroad earlier than expected. We will be working with your academic department to communicate next steps once confirmed.
7. If you require support from Carleton staff during this time, please contact them via telephone or email for assistance.

Due to the unknowns in this evolving situation, we are unable to confirm what International Exchanges will look like in the Fall/Winter semester. Please know we are monitoring this situation closely and will provide updates in the near future.

If you have received application instructions from the partner institution, you may proceed with completing the application. However, we recommend that you do not purchase airfare or make travel plans at this time. If you wish to book early to take advantage of discounted flights, consider purchasing cancellation insurance (note: always consult with the insurance provider before purchasing flights and insurance to confirm you will be covered for all application contingencies).

As per the University communications sent on Friday, March 13, all events taking place in March and April, including the Pre-Departure Orientation, will be postponed. Further details will be shared with you as soon as they are available.

Further to the International and Domestic Travel Advisories put forward by Carleton’s COVID-19 Steering Committee, all university-related non-essential travel is suspended until further notice. This, among many other things, results in the cancellation of the Ontario Universities International (OUI) Summer Programs for 2020.

Ensuring the safety of our students remains a priority. With the challenging and evolving situation of COVID-19 around the globe, and through consultation with our colleagues at Ontario Universities International (OUI), Carleton University has made the difficult decision to cancel the OUI Summer Programs.

Please contact our office with any questions you may have about the cancellation, financial hardship, and staying healthy and informed.

To assist you with planning your departure / now that you are home, please find some helpful next steps:

1. If you are/were living in residence, please contact the Housing Department to advise them of your departure. Housing will direct you on the protocol for leaving your residence room. If you are/were living off campus, make sure you let your landlord know you are leaving/have left your rental space.
2. You do not need to return your U-Pass card to the Campus Card Office. Send an email to upass@carleton.ca to advise the U-Pass coordinator that you are ending/have ended your exchange term. Please include your full name and student number in the email. The coordinator will advise if a partial refund of the Winter term U-Pass fee is possible.
3. Make arrangements with the Student Accounts Office to pay any outstanding fees on your account.
4. Please be sure to advise your home institution that you have decided to return home/have returned home.

The Incoming Exchange Coordinator will be happy to complete the forms for you. Simply email the documents to exchange@carleton.ca and the forms will be signed and emailed back to you.

The ISSO will email your official transcript to your exchange coordinator once your final grades for your exchange term(s) have been determined. Keep in mind that you must not have any outstanding fees owed on your student account. If you do have fees owing, the university will not release your transcript.

Yes.

The Campus Card office advises students to choose to have their funds transferred to their Student Account. However, students can still request a refund if their account is in a credit balance.

Please note that the Student Account office is better equipped with options such as e-transfers. They cannot guarantee service times if students ask for a wire transfer.

• Convenience plan refunds: https://carleton.ca/campuscard/forms/campus-card-account-refund-application/
• Raven 500 meal plan refunds: https://carleton.ca/campuscard/forms/campus-meal-plan-refund-application/

All other plans have been transferred to either convenience dollars or student accounts.

Questions: please contact the Campus Card office at campuscard@carleton.ca or Student Accounts at student_accounts@carleton.ca

International students may qualify for CERB payments of $500 per week if they are in Canada and meet all the eligibility criteria, which include being able to show income of at least $5,000 in 2019 (or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application).

Learn about who is eligible, when and how to apply, documents needed, and more.

Please note that while the Carleton campus remains open, in keeping with the recommendation of Ottawa Public Health and their social distancing directives, the International Student Services Office (ISSO) will no longer be delivering in-person support until further notice. Our team remains committed to service excellence, please email us at isso@carleton.ca for further guidance and support.