Information for new and arriving international students

How long you can study remotely from outside of Canada will depend on your program start date and the delivery method of your program.

Visit the Distance Learning page on the IRCC website to review the criteria for your scenario and the potential impacts to post-graduate work permit (PGWP) eligibility.

Pay attention to your student email for communication from the Registrar’s Office about withdraw, refund and visa refusal deadlines. You can also visit the important dates.

Lock-in date between Sept. 1, 2022 and Aug. 31, 2023:

• You must complete at least 50% of your program inside Canada (online or in-class).
• The time spent studying outside of Canada before Aug. 31, 2023, won’t be deducted from the length of your PGWP as long as it constitutes less than 50% of your program of study.

On Oct. 1, 2022, all COVID-19 border requirements, including vaccination, mandatory use of ArriveCAN, and any testing and quarantine or isolation requirements, ended for all travellers entering Canada by land, air or sea.

UPDATE: As of Jan. 5, 2023, all air travellers two years of age and older arriving from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao must show a negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than two days before their departure, to the airline in order to board their flight.

For previous information, visit the IRCC website: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): International students.

For changes to travel restrictions, visit the IRCC website: COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders.

If you have left Canada and your study permit will expire while you are outside Canada, you will need to apply for a new study permit, not an extension.

You will not have implied status. You can only begin a new program after you have been approved of a new study permit. To avoid applying for a new study permit, make sure your study permit is valid for the duration of your program.

If you need to apply for your study permit from outside Canada:

1. You must apply for a new study permit through a Visa Office that serves your country of nationality or residence.

2. You can apply for your study permit online or by paper application at your closest Visa Application Center (VAC).

3. You must read the Instruction Guide and complete the IMM 1294 form for outside Canada application (Application for Study permit Made Outside of Canada).

4. You may have to provide biometrics, medical exam, police certificates

5. If your study permit expires while you are outside of Canada, you will only be authorized to resume your studies once your new study permit has been issued to you at a port of entry.

Visit the Distance learning from outside of Canada on the IRCC website for the most recent details, as well as the eligibility requirements for the PGWP.

Note: In cases where a study permit application is submitted before a program starts but is refused, if a subsequent study permit application is received before the end of the program and is eventually approved, the studies undertaken after the first study permit application was received by the department count towards the length of the PGWP.

If considering to withdraw, pay close attention to the key semester deadlines in important dates to help guide your decision moving forward.

If you decide to apply for a study permit at a later time, it will be important that you understand the reason for your visa rejection in order to strengthen your application.

IRCC may have refused your application if you didn’t:

1. show proof that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in Canada;

2. pass your medical exam, if you needed to get one;

3. convince the visa officer that your main purpose in Canada is to study; or

4. convince the visa officer that you’ll leave Canada at the end of your study period.

If you have questions about why you were refused, contact the visa office that sent you the refusal letter. We recommend that you seek advice from an independent immigration professional before re-applying. A list of who can provide immigration representation can be found on the IRCC website.

Find information on applying for a study permit by visiting the IRCC website.

You can read the most recent information from IRCC on how your PGWP eligibility is affected if you’re inside Canada. View PGWP eligibility criteria.

It is highly recommended that you attend in-person classes when given the option.

Enrolment letter

1. If you’re currently registered and don’t owe fees on your account, you should be able to request an enrolment letter through the Document Hub on the MyGCLife.
2. Click Request a Letter then select your term. The enrolment letter will be automatically generated and should appear in your Document Hub within 48 hours.
3. Make sure that you check your start date and completion date for accuracy.

Transcript

Unofficial transcripts

• For an unofficial transcript, access your Banner account and select Unofficial transcript. This is a free copy of your transcript.

Official transcripts

• There are three ways to request an official transcript from Georgian. The method you use to make your transcript request will depend on your status at the college and who you are sending the transcript to. Access the transcripts webpage to determine your course of action.

To travel to Canada, you must:

• have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit
• show proof that you have been accepted to study at Georgian College by providing your official Letter of Acceptance, do NOT travel without a correct LOA
• show proof of registration by providing an updated enrolment letter (only available if you are already registered into courses) *This is necessary for returning students, new students can use their LOA only
• have either an eTA or TRV (temporary resident visa) if applicable, along with your passport
• show proof that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• have proof of valid immigration medical examination (if required)
• It is strongly recommended that you also have the address of your temporary or permanent housing accommodations

Discuss the arrival process with your in-country agent for more suggestions on what to bring with you.

As an International student, you can work off campus without a permit if you meet you meet all of these requirements:

• you’re a registered, full-time student at Georgian College
• your study program is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
• you’ve started studying
• you have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

From Nov. 15, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2023, current international students who have an off-campus authorization on their presently valid study permit will be able to work more than 20 hours per week off campus.

This temporary policy applies to international students currently in Canada, and to future students who have submitted study permit applications (including study permit extensions) before Oct. 7, 2022 (provided, the application is approved).

You must still meet the above eligibility for off-campus work including being registered full-time, having the condition written on your study permit allowing you to work on/off campus, and having a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Georgian College has assembled a remote and hybrid learning tool kit. You can also read through a prepared guide for students on the 21 ways to adjust to remote learning.

Mobile Doctor should be the first place to go if you feel sick. If you have not signed up, use your guard.me insurance policy number to sign up for free.

If you suspect that you may have COVID-19, use Ontario’s self-assessment tool to self-assess and seek advice.

Here are ways for you to reach out to different services including our college counselling service:

• Georgian College counselling telephone appointments
• meSAFE is available 24/7. You can download the My SSP app on Google Play or the Apple Store.
• Postsecondary student helpline Good 2 Talk at 1.866.925.5454.