COVID-19 FAQ

We encourage all international students to continue to keep up to date on Canadian immigration processes and procedures – especially in light of the frequent updates due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.

IRCC Resources

Travel restrictions and exemptions; COVID-19 considerations for study permit processing, student work and Post-Graduation Work Permits:

• Study Permit COVID-19 Program Delivery Instructions  
• How COVID-19 is affecting IRCC: International Students 

The ISSO also provides the following resources:

1. Contact an Immigration Advisor for additional guidance and support at: immigration.advising@carleton.ca
2. Attend our Immigration Webinars and Q&As
3. Sign-up for our newsletter.

Newly admitted International students are encouraged to apply for their study permits as early as possible after receiving their offer of admission from Carleton.  The required “Letter of Acceptance” for the application is provided by Carleton Admissions ​through the Carleton 360 account and is titled “Student Information for a Study Permit”.

Continuing Carleton students who won’t return to Canada prior to expiry of their current study permit must also apply for a new study permit, since extension of temporary resident status (renewing the study permit) is not possible from outside of Canada. In place of a “Letter of Acceptance”, returning students should provide a current Certificate of Enrolment and Statement of Student Progress (contact the ISSO). 

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website contains essential information and guidance for study permit applicants.

All applications must be submitted online. The ISSO’s Study Permit Application Guide has tips and answers to frequently asked questions.

Students are welcome to contact the ISSO’s Immigration Advising Team for additional assistance.

You should apply for your study permit or work permit in a timely manner, even if you don’t have a new passport. Include your old passport and proof that you have applied for a new passport or else a letter of explanation about why you cannot apply for a new passport right now. The letter of explanation can go on the line for “Client Information”. You can add your new passport to your application later using the IRCC Web Form.

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 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 confirms that they cannot provide accurate processing times.

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

If you submitted a co-op work permit application, you may not begin a full-time co-op job without having a co-op 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 be authorized to work without a work permit until you get the decision from IRCC. See complete details in the ISSO’s PGWP Application Guide.

On July 15, 2020, IRCC  announced an exemption to the requirement to give biometrics for temporary resident applications made within Canada. This includes study permits, work permits, visitor records and temporary resident visas. The exemption remains in place. If you receive a biometric instruction letter, you do not have to give biometrics if you are in Canada. If you pay the $85 biometrics fee, it will be refunded to you.

Carleton’s courses for Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 will be offered in online, in-person and blended formats. Course listings in Carleton Central include mode of delivery in “Section Information” to assist students in making their selections. A study permit is not required to begin studies online from outside of Canada.

Carleton has a Government-approved COVID-19 readiness plan. Carleton students who are registered in a current school term may be able to  travel to Canada at any time after IRCC approves their study permit application.  Students must be prepared to show proof of being registered as a student at Carleton. It is not necessary to have proof that you are attending in-person classes.

Please note that additional travel requirements and travel restrictions may be in place due to COVID-19. Students should refer to Government of Canada travel and entry requirements and also to travel information for Carleton students on the ISSO’s website.

Information about authorized work for international students is the same for students studying in-person or online.

IRCC has clarified that remote work for on-campus employers may be regarded as work in the “on-campus”.

IRCC has revised temporary PGWP program rules several times since March 2020 to maintain work permit eligibility for students studying online in 2020-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Students in Canada may do more than 50% of their studies online with no impact on their eligibility for a PGWP. Currently, there is no end date for this temporary policy.
• Students outside of Canada who have a study permit, or approval for a study permit, or who have applied for a study permit before the start of their program (and later receive approval) may be eligible for a PGWP and the validity period of their PGWP won’t be affected, even if they do up to 100% of their program online from outside of Canada. The end date for this temporary policy is August 31, 2022. Thereafter, online studies from outside of Canada won’t contribute to the calculation of a PGWP’s validity period.

Students should ensure that they understand all requirements to be eligible for a PGWP.

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.

If you apply for the PGWP while your study permit is valid, you can remain in Canada and you may be able to start working right away while you are waiting for a decision on your application, even if your study permit expires during that time. Before you start working full-time, please refer to the ISSO’s PGWP Guide for information about authorized work during the transition from student to work permit holder.

IRCC, the Canadian Border Services Agency, and the ISSO all advise against applying for the PGWP at the US-Canada border.

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 “maintained status” (formerly “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 Maintained 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. After they apply IRCC will inform them that their status is maintained.

Due to the impact of COVID-19  some IRCC processing times have become longer. Even students who applied early for their extensions may be on maintained status. Maintained 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 maintained 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 Maintained 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 on maintained 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.

IRCC has confirmed that work performed remotely for employers located on the Carleton campus may be considered as “on-campus work” for Carleton international students. Students should have a teleworking agreement with their employer as confirmation. For study permit holders who are eligible, on-campus work is not restricted in terms of hours per week.

Expired Rule Change: A temporary rule change was in effect from April 22, 2020 to August 31, 2020.

IRCC announced a temporary rule change on April 22^nd 2020.  International students who are usually restricted to 20 hours of work per week were authorized to work full-time if they were providing essential services such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods. Jobs that qualify are found in Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada’s Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

We recommend that you begin your application for a study permit as soon as you receive your “visa letter” (Student Information for a Study Permit) from Carleton. You can apply using Immigration, Citizenship and Refugee Canada’s online application system.

If you are unable to obtain some required documents due to COVID-19 closures, you can apply with the documents you have available, and a letter explaining why other documents are missing. The visa office will not refuse your application because of missing documents. You can send missing forms using the IRCC web form as you receive them, or wait until an officer requests them.

Processing of your application may be delayed further if you cannot give biometrics (fingerprints and photo) due to the closure of Visa Application Centres, or are unable to undergo a medical exam due to COVID-19 concerns. Your application will remain open while you work to complete the requirements.

Students should not apply through the Student Direct Stream unless they can provide all the required documents.

Any student who has been admitted to Carleton may enrol and study in the university’s online classes. Some students may choose to begin their program as scheduled through online study from outside of Canada. 

Please see:

• ” If I choose all online courses so I can start the term on time, will I be allowed to travel to Canada part-way through the term after my application is approved?”
• “How does online study affect my Post-Graduation Work Permit?“

Some students may prefer to request deferred admission. Undergraduates can do that through the admissions deferral request form; graduate students should contact their department.

The Carleton Bookstore is here to help Carleton University students obtain the textbooks and other materials they need to succeed in courses at Carleton. Students can order their textbooks now from the Bookstore website to have them delivered anywhere around the world.

The Carleton Bookstore recommends the following when placing an order to ensure there are no delays during shipping:

• Order as early as possible in order to give the shipment time to arrive before classes start.
• Students should use their mailing address, not their home address (if they are different) when placing an order. If there is uncertainty on how to write your address for an international delivery, please contact your local post office or delivery service.
• Use a current phone number and email (i.e. don’t use an Ottawa phone number if you’re not in Ottawa) when placing an order.
• Once an order is placed through the website, the Carleton Bookstore will be in touch by email with a shipping quote. Once that quote is approved, the payment will be processed and the shipment will be sent.
• Some countries charge an import fee for textbooks. It will be your responsibility to pay these import fees if needed.

If you have any questions about placing an order, please contact The Bookstore by email at thebookstore@carleton.ca or by phone at 613-520-3832.

Carleton University’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan has been approved, and we are prepared to welcome and support our international students. Students planning to travel should first check the latest travel information at IRCC’s COVID-19 page for students and confirm that Carleton has an approved COVID-19 readiness plan.

Carleton University has established a comprehensive Quarantine Planning and Support website to assist students with their quarantine planning. We encourage you to review this resource carefully as it contains important information about the quarantine planning process and some helpful resources. 

Please keep in mind that COVID-19 travel restrictions are subject to change from time to time. Students must be informed and able to demonstrate that they meet all current requirements for travel to Canada, including being prepared for a 14-day quarantine period.

Students who wish to travel to Canada should note that, even if they fall under the guidelines provided on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website, this does not guarantee entry to Canada. A final decision will be made by an officer of the Canada Border Services Agency.

Students with questions about travel or quarantine should contact the ISSO at isso@carleton.ca

All travellers, independent of vaccine status, must complete a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of scheduled departure of their flight to Canada, and provide the airline with proof of a negative test result. For more information about types of accepted test, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.

This requirement does not replace the mandatory 14-day quarantine or any other requirement to qualify for a travel exemption as a student. Please consult with the ISSO’s Quarantine Planning and Support website for additional information and resources to help prepare for your travel to Canada.

Fully vaccinated travellers who meet all other conditions and requirements may enter Canada. Unvaccinated children under 12 who are accompanying fully vaccinated adults must follow specific requirements. Travellers must submit mandatory information through the ArriveCAN app, be asymptomatic,  and undergo required COVID-19 testing. Complete information is found at the Government of Canada website.

Most travellers will require a valid travel document, such as a Temporary Resident Visa OR electronic Travel Authorization.

Students coming from some countries or territories may need to take an immigration medical exam, even if they had one in the past. The results of a medical exam are valid for one year after the date you took the test.

Students planning travel to Canada for the first time should confirm the validity of their visa in their IRCC account.  If more than 12 months have passed since their medical exam, they may see that their visa is invalid for travel. They may expect to receive an email from IRCC explaining that this is an administrative hold and what steps they must take to reactivate the visa.

Proof that you took the exam is your eMedical receipt. This document has a barcode, your photo, your personal details, and the date of your exam. The CBSA may request to see this document at the Port of Entry as you enter Canada.

• If you have valid medical results (less than one year old as of the day you will travel to Canada), carry your eMedical receipt as one of your travel documents.
• If you have been outside of Canada for less than six months, you should not need valid medical exam results, unless you are starting a new job in one of the areas described on the IRCC website.
• If you have been outside of Canada for more than six months and you do not have valid medical exam results, you may need to take a new immigration medical exam. Read IRCC’s information about who needs a medical exam.
• Immigration medical exams must be done by a Panel Physician. When making an appointment, you should request an “Upfront Medical Exam”.

Fully vaccinated travellers who meet all other conditions and requirements may enter Canada. Travellers must submit mandatory information through the ArriveCAN app, be asymptomatic,  and undergo required COVID-19 testing. Complete information is found at the Government of Canada website.

Most travellers will require a valid travel document, such as a Temporary Resident Visa OR electronic Travel Authorization. If your study permit has expired or become invalid (more than 90 days after program completion), you may be admitted to Canada as a visitor. The IRCC website has additional details.

If you are planning to travel outside of Canada it is important that you understand and follow the entrance requirements for your destination (and for re-entry to Canada) to avoid travel delays. For example, due to COVID-19 many countries continue to put in place strict entry requirements (such as mandatory COVID testing and quarantine). Ensuring that you are up-to-date on these expectations prior to travel is essential.

To assist with international outbound travel to countries requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry, LifeLabs and Shoppers Drug Mart are offering eligible travellers the option to book rapid COVID-19 testing at select locations in Ontario.

The “FlyClear” program by LifeLabs offers COVID-19 PCR testing (a rapid COVID-19 test for international outbound travel) and Antibody (serology) testing to anyone needing these for their travel. COVID-19 rapid testing through this program offers results within 24 to 48 hours at certain locations. To learn more, including cost, and to book an appointment consult the FlyClear website.

Travelling with Air Canada? Beginning December 7, 2020, eligible travellers flying with Air Canada can book and purchase a COVID-19 RT-PRC (a rapid COVID-19 test for international outbound travel) at participating Shoppers Drug Mart locations. The test is available for travellers flying to destinations requiring a negative COVID-19 test within 24 to 48 hours prior to travel. For more information, including cost and how to book an appointment, visit the Shoppers Drug Mart website.

International students who have been fully vaccinated with a Government of Canada approved vaccine may qualify for certain quarantine and testing exemptions. Those who qualify for the exemptions must still complete a COVID-19 test before travel and create a quarantine plan. Please see other necessary steps at Planning For Your Arrival. 

The following COVID-19 vaccines are approved in Canada:

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
• Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
• Janseen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
• Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
• Sinopharm (Beijing) BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells)
• Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

Travellers must have received the full series of an accepted vaccine or a full series of a combination of accepted vaccines at least 14 full days before entering Canada to qualify as fully vaccinated. If you have received a vaccine that is not currently accepted in Canada, you will have to quarantine for 14 days once you arrive.

Students planning their travel to Canada must notify the International Student Services Office (ISSO) of their travel plans and can consult the Quarantine Planning Support Website for further information.

Students who have received only one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine may still travel. However, you will not be considered fully vaccinated and will have to follow quarantine and testing requirements. Further information is available on the Government of Canada’s website.

Once you arrive in Canada, you will be able to start and complete your vaccine series after you have completed quarantine. Please note that until you are fully vaccinated, you will not be able to access the Carleton campus or other designated settings.

Students planning their travel to Canada must notify the International Student Services Office (ISSO) of their travel plans and can consult the Quarantine Planning Support website for further information.

As of October 15^th, all individuals who are going to Carleton’s campus and/or participating in an in-person Carleton activity, must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to Carleton University. Individuals must also provide proof of full vaccination and personal identification to access certain indoor settings and outdoor areas in Ontario. Please note that individuals are only considered fully vaccinated if they received their last dose at least 14 days before the date of their attestation.

Based on guidance from the Ontario’s Ministry of Health, individuals can only be considered fully vaccinated in the Province of Ontario 14 days after they have received:

1. The full series of a vaccine approved by Health Canada; or
2. A complete series of a non-Health Canada approved vaccine and:
   • One additional dose of a Health Canada approved mRNA vaccine; or
   • Third dose of a non-Health Canada approved vaccine.

International students who have received a full series of a non-Health Canada approved vaccine are required to receive an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine or a third dose of a non-Health Canada approved vaccine to access Carleton’s campus as well as some settings in Ontario.

Please note, this guidance is specific for the Province of Ontario. International students who have received a non-Health Canada approved vaccine and are travelling to Canada will still have to quarantine for 14 days even if they have a third dose. For more information on travel and quarantine, please visit our Quarantine Planning Support Website. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email us at isso@carleton.ca

Students can book an appointment by calling Ottawa Public Health at 613-691-5505 or contacting a select pharmacy. Drop-in vaccinations are also available at any pop-up clinic or neighbourhood vaccination hub in Ottawa during their hours of operation.

For students with the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), SunLife is advising that you bring your UHIP card, 3 pieces of ID and proof of your address in Canada.

As of October 15, 2021, all individuals who are coming to campus and/or participating in an in-person Carleton activity, must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to Carleton University. Please note that individuals are only considered fully vaccinated if they received their last dose at least 14 days before the date of their attestation. If you are not fully vaccinated and wish to access campus or other specified settings in Ontario, you must make arrangements to complete your vaccine series prior to participating in these activities. 

International students vaccinated in Ontario can call the provincial booking line at 1-833-943-3900 to request their documentation.

Students vaccinated in Canada but outside of Ontario should contact the local public health unit in the province or territory where they received their vaccine to obtain the documentation.

COVID testing will continue to be covered by Public health, but any COVID related expenses outside of the testing is covered under UHIP. Students who need to visit an assessment centre for testing should take a paper copy of their UHIP card.  Do not visit a hospital for testing.   You can conduct your own Covid self assessment test  and take any next steps if required. If you do not have your UHIP card, please email isso@carleton.ca with your student number. Please note, UHIP does not cover cost of COVID testing for travel purposes. More information regarding UHIP coverage can be found on the UHIP website.

Rapid testing:  UHIP does not cover Rapid test in Ontario or anywhere else in Canada.  If you visit a hospital emergency room due to severe symptoms and require treatment, UHIP will cover for emergency room visit.  If you go to an emergency room and do not have severe symptoms (as directed on the assessment tool), UHIP will not cover this visit.

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. 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.

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).

Yes, all students and their co-arriving family members must demonstrate medical coverage as part of their quarantine plan. Students should demonstrate coverage with their valid UHIP Card. If you do not have your UHIP card, please email isso@carleton.ca with your student number.

To learn more about how to prepare for quarantine, please consult our website: https://carleton.ca/isso/quarantine-planning-support/

Students feeling unwell with cold, flu and/or COVID-19 like symptoms should consider the following:

• Monitor symptom severity and connect with a health care professional for persistent and worsening symptoms.
• Contact Health and Counselling Services at (613) 520-6674 to make a virtual appointment with a member of their medical team (Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm).
• For suspected symptoms of or possible exposure to COVID-19, students should complete a Self-Assessment and/or contact Ottawa Public Health. Students advised to get tested for COVID-19 should follow public health guidelines and visit a Testing Centre.
• Students needing support outside of Health and Counselling Services’ regular business hours for a non-life-threatening medical issue that requires immediate attention, can consider attending a walk-in clinic to see a doctor without making an appointment. It is recommended that international students visit one of the Preferred Provider Network clinics to avoid extra fees not covered by the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). It is not mandatory to use a ‘preferred provider’; however, it is convenient as there is no immediate out-of-pocket expense to students with a valid UHIP card.
• Students are reminded to only seek medical attention from emergency services (i.e. by attending a hospital emergency room) if you believe you have a serious medical condition or acute injury. In Canada, waiting times to see doctors in the hospital are based on the severity of the medical condition, and emergency rooms are usually very busy and waiting times can be very long.

Our Winter 2022 programming, events, and webinars are currently intended to be delivered mostly online to ensure accessibility for all international students.  The ISSO aims to provide social, cultural and transition-related initiatives in partnership with other offices access campus throughout the semester via the Microsoft Teams platform.  Students are encouraged to download the Microsoft Teams App to enhance their use of this technology.  Please visit our Events Page for details on upcoming programs, contests, and events.

To limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community, public health officials are encouraging the practice of physical distancing. Carleton has been able to provide student supports and resources through alternative formats.

The ISSO offers many programs aimed at supporting students in making friends and navigating their transition to Carleton. Please visit our Events page for details on upcoming online events. If you are looking for individualized support in navigating campus life and making connections, we encourage you to meet with our Global PALS.

To explore campus life beyond the ISSO, we encourage you to follow @SLRavens on social media to learn more about activities and contests from the Student Life Team. To find out about virtual social activities being provided by student groups and departments, such as trivia nights, fitness classes, and other engaging programs, the CUX Events Calendar is updated on an on-going basis with social activities being hosted by Carleton campus partners and associations.

Whether you are staying in Ottawa or located abroad, Carleton University is here to support students experiencing feelings of fear, loneliness, worry and distress.  Carleton University has complied mental health and well-being resources you can access, depending on your location:

• Ottawa-based supports
• Supports in each Canadian province
• Supports for students living abroad

Many campus supports are available to students, regardless of location.  We are here to help, so please do not hesitate to reach out.

In the light of the challenges and uncertainties posed by COVID-19, Carleton University has made the difficult decision to not proceed with in-person student mobility for the Winter 2022 term and offer students the opportunity to complete a virtual exchange. This decision to not proceed with in-person student exchange for the winter is independent of any future decision regarding the delivery of courses at Carleton University for the Winter 2022 term.

Any questions can be directed to exchange@carleton.ca

Students interested in pursuing an exchange opportunity in the 2022/2023 academic year will be expected to re-apply and will be re-assessed to ensure continued eligibility to participate in the program. The 2022-2023 Exchange application is now closed. For any questions about the application please contact exchange@carleton.ca.

No decision has been made yet regarding the study abroad opportunities in the Summer 2022 term. More information will be provided in the Winter 2022.

Students with questions can email exchange@carleton.ca for additional guidance.

In light of the challenges and uncertainties posed by COVID-19, Carleton University has made the difficult decision to cancel in-person student mobility with the Incoming Exchange Program for the Winter 2022 term (January to April 2022). This decision to not proceed with in-person student exchange is independent of any decision regarding the delivery of courses at Carleton University for the Winter 2022 term.

Carleton University is prepared to offer students the opportunity to participate in our exchange program virtually (i.e. taking courses remotely online) for the Winter 2022 term where possible. Per our usual process, students must be nominated for exchange by their home institution and complete an application. We will provide students with further instructions following the successful review of their nomination. We look forward to sharing more about this virtual experience in the coming months.

For more information, please email the Exchange Coordinator.

CERB has ended.

The Canada Recovery Benefit Program opened on October 19, 2020 and ended on October 23, 2021.

If you applied for a new study permit before your old one expired, you have maintained status in Canada, and you can still use your SIN. This is explained in Service Canada’s Employer Information.

When your new study permit arrives, you should update the expiry date of your SIN as soon as possible.

You can apply online for a SIN.

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.