Frequently Asked Questions

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) by abiding by the terms and conditions of their temporary resident status. There are some limited exceptions to this rule: students can consult the ISSO’s immigration advising team to learn more.

For students who need to take one term off, an approved Leave of Absence for the term allows them to remain in Canada without risk to their study permit validity, PGWP eligibility or health coverage under the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Students are reminded that they are not permitted to work in Canada while on leave.

Undergraduate students must contact an ISSO immigration advisor to begin the process of requesting a leave of absence. A leave may be granted for reasons that include Illness or injury, family situations, academic suspension, deferral or change of program.

Graduate students should contact the FGPA for information on the graduate leave policy and to submit the request.

Taking more than one term off may require a student to either leave Canada for a time, or apply to change their status in Canada.

To learn more about the immigration consequences of taking a break from studies, or to discuss options, students may contact: immigration.advising@carleton.ca

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, so they should approve your application for renewal.

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!

When you apply online for a PGWP, your application must include these documents from Carleton to prove you are eligible for a PGWP.

• Unofficial transcript (from Carleton Central) – to show the length of your program, that you studied full-time, and took no unauthorized breaks.

AND

• Senate notification email and a Certificate of Enrolment showing graduation (from Carleton Central)

The Senate usually meets about a month and a half after the end of the term. If you prefer not to wait, you may be able to get a Letter of Completion that confirms your eligibility to graduate once all your marks are posted on Carleton Central. Undergraduate students should visit the ISSO for a referral to the Registrar’s Office; graduate students can request this letter from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs or from their department.

Note to graduate students: If your transcript does not make it clear that you studied full-time, you should provide additional documentation that confirms you had full-time status, such as Certificates of Enrolment.

If you still have questions, please visit the ISSO.

No, not until you apply for your Post-Graduation Work Permit.  Learn more about work you can do as a study permit holder on our ‘Working in Canada’ page .

Working illegally can endanger your eligibility for a PGWP or other status in Canada. Contact the ISSO if you have questions..

You don’t need a new study permit, if your study permit says you can study at any Designated Learning Institution found on this IRCC page,  You must notify Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that you have changed schools; instructions can be found on this IRCC website.

If your study permit names your former school, or if you have any questions about your study permit, visit the ISSO.

As a first step, you should have the right documents to enter the country you are visiting. The ISSO cannot advise on immigration to other countries, but we can help you find the right sources of information.

To re-enter Canada, you should have your passport, as well as a study permit and Temporary Resident Visa (if you need one) that are both valid for the duration of your trip. You should also have a current Carleton Certificate of Enrolment.

Other Things to Note

• If you go to the United States only, you can travel with only a study permit that is valid for the duration of your trip. However, if you are flying back to Canada, you should check with the airline about their policies for requiring a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa).
• Applying for a new study permit and a TRV within Canada is a two-step process. You can’t apply for the new TRV until you receive the study permit.
• If you leave Canada with a valid study permit but with a TRV that has expired, you won’t be allowed to return to Canada (unless you go only to the United States).
• It is always possible to apply for new documents from outside of Canada, but you should expect that this will delay your return.
• If you apply for a study permit extension and your old permit expires while you are waiting for the decision, you have implied status as a student if you remain in Canada. You lose this implied status when you leave. If you return while your study permit application is still being processed, a border services officer will make a decision whether to re-admit you to Canada or not. Read more on the IRCC’s Help Centre about some of the possible decisions.

Still unsure about what documents you need? Visit the ISSO’s Contact Us page for assistance.

You should provide documents that show you are enrolled and making progress in your studies.

Where the online application asks for your Letter of Acceptance, you should provide at least two items:

• Certificate of Enrolment – available from Carleton Central (choose the option for study permits and visas).
• Student Information for a Study Permit ­– the information page that came with your offer of admission.

Additional documents may be helpful. Learn more by visiting our Study Permit Extention page. Visit the ISSO or send us an email if you need more information or help.

Please visit the UHIP website to learn all about UHIP health coverage for international students at Carleton.

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.

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.

Learn all about coming to Carleton on Exchange.

Why should I go on exchange? Where can I go on exchange? How can I apply? What are some stories from students who have gone on exchange? What do I need to do before I depart for exchange? What scholarships are available for outgoing exchange students? Find the answers to these questions and more information at My Exchange.

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