IRCC publishes processing times for various types of applications. These are estimates and not service guarantees.

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

If you submitted a Co-op Work Permit Application, you can work as authorized by your study permit until you have 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 be authorized to work without a work permit until you get the decision from IRCC. See the complete eligibility details in the ISSOs PGWP Application Guide.

If you need a new Temporary Resident Visa, then you should remain in Canada until your application is approved and the new visa is inserted into your passport. If you leave Canada, you won’t be able to return without a valid visa. (There is an exception if you have a valid study permit and travel only to the United States.)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Canada has multiple permanent residence programs and each has detailed eligibility requirements. Many have competitive selection processes. There are frequent changes to the programs and occasionally new programs are created. 

Most international students won’t become eligible for any PR program until following graduation. For students who wish to remain in Canada while pursuing their PR options, it’s important to maintain valid temporary resident status at all times until PR status is confirmed.

The ISSO cannot offer one-on-one coaching, assessment, or advice on permanent resident issues. However, we do provide opportunities to learn and ask questions. A PR Pathways information session is offered each school term. We also have drop-in immigration Q&As where members of our immigration advising team will answer general questions about permanent residence. Events are listed on the ISSO Events Calendar.

Students may also self-enrol in the ISSO’s Brightspace Course PR Pathways for International Students . This course provides an overview of basic concepts, Express Entry, and the OINP graduate streams, as well as answers to a number of Frequently Asked Questions about transitioning to permanent residence after graduation from Carleton.

International students are required to be enrolled with the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).  The UHIP premium will be automatically added to your student account. You will receive a Welcome email from Cowan, the insurance underwriters, before the start of the term with details on how to register on their member portal in order to access your UHIP e-card.  Remember that UHIP is mandatory for any dependents (spouse and/or children) inside Canada.   More details on our UHIP website.

You can extend your UHIP coverage for up to 6 months after your classes end.  Information and extension 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.

If you are an undergraduate student, summer is considered a ‘designated break’ and you will continue to be covered to August 31.  Please visit the UHIP website to learn all about UHIP health coverage for international students at Carleton.

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 phone number and email that you currently have access to (i.e. don’t use your future Ottawa 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 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.

Please check the Admissions website for scholarships and bursaries available to all Carleton University students.

Graduate students can check the Graduate Admissions website for information on financial assistance for international graduate students.

Make sure to all check the ISSO’s list of Scholarships for international students.

If you would like to study in a Master’s or PhD Program, please visit the Graduate Admissions website.

If you would like to apply to do an undergraduate degree at Carleton University, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website.

Please visit Incoming Exchange for detailed information on the program.

The Carleton University Exchange Program allows students to study full time at a partner institution for a single term (fall or winter) or for a full academic year. Summer term is not included in the Exchange program.

Yes, students can cancel their exchange anytime prior to departure.

This might be possible, dependent on space availability.

Yes! PMC students should note that not all host institutions will be able to provide accommodation in the same manner as Carleton. You must contact the accessibility services office at the host institution to determine what services are available and arrange for those accommodations. To facilitate this process, your PMC Coordinator can provide you with a copy of your documentation and a letter outlining the accommodations you receive at Carleton. For more information, please visit the Paul Menton Centre.

Please email exchange@carleton.ca or book a meeting with the Outgoing Global Learning Coordinator.

Yes, If you were unable to attend a live information session, please watch the recorded summary of the ISSO Outgoing International Exchange Information Session before applying for exchange. Please visit our Exchange Information Session webpage to register for a session and to access the Recorded Information Session Summary.

Placements are selected based on the application short answer questions, CGPA and spots available at the institution. The ISSO makes every reasonable effort to place students in their preferred institution, but space is limited.

Exchange is an opportunity for Carleton students to study abroad at one of our partner institutions while earning credits towards their Carleton degree. To learn more about the Exchange Program, including eligibility requirements and application details, visit our Outgoing Exchange Program website.

Learn about how departments and faculties can propose a new Student Exchange Agreement.