Newly Admitted International Students

1.1 Confirm Your Personal Information

Ensure that your name in your offer of admission is your legal name (as it appears on your passport).

If there is any error, you must immediately email the Admissions Office to mention the necessary corrections in order to obtain new documents for your visa and study permit application. Please include your full name and student number in your request.

 

1.2 Respond to Your Offer of Admission and Pay Your Tuition Deposit

Undergraduate Students

If you have not already done so, you must respond to the offer of admission by the deadline indicated in your offer letter. Please accept your offer via your OUAC application if you applied through OUAC, or accept your offer on your Laurentian Applicant Portal if you applied directly to the University using the Laurentian Online Application Form.

 

Graduate Students

You must accept your offer of admission by the deadline indicated. In order to accept your offer of admission, click on Accept in your Laurentian Applicant Portal. If you have any questions, please contact your academic unit or email the Admissions Office.

 

Tuition Deposit

A $2,000.00 CAD deposit must be received within 30 days of receipt of this offer in order to reserve your place in the program indicated.

Payments should be made through Flywire. Flywire offers a simple and reliable payment solution for international students coming to study in Canada. Please visit Flywire to begin the payment process.

You will be required to provide your 7-digit student number to complete a wire transfer. You can find your student number on the first page of this letter of admission.

See the International Deposit policy for further details.

 

1.3 Apply for Immigration Documents

Visa, Study Permit and Electronic Travel Authorization

A study permit is an immigration document that gives you status and permits you to live and study in Canada. It does not permit you to enter Canada. You must have a study permit if your program or course of study takes more than 6 months to complete. Your Study Permit must be valid for the duration of your program in Canada. The Study Permit gives you legal status in Canada to study and automatically expires 90 days after the completion of your program.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has indicated you must apply for your study permit online.   

You must always follow the conditions of your Study Permit.

In the context of COVID-19, IRCC has put in place special measures for international students that are subject to change. Please note that IRCC is responsible for evaluating your application for a study permit. Laurentian University has no control over the decision or processing times, and cannot communicate with IRCC on your behalf.

 

How to Bring Dependants with You to Canada

Certain family members may also be eligible to travel with you or reunite with you if you are already in Canada. Immediate family members who do not otherwise fall under the existing travel exemptions for students or workers need a written authorization from IRCC to travel to Canada. There are specific instructions on how to proceed depending on whether your family member has already applied for their visa or permit or have yet to submit their application. You may read more about requesting this authorization on the IRCC website.

 

1.4 Enrol with Academic Accommodations

The University is committed to providing students with disabilities academic accommodation. This ensures an equitable opportunity to fully access and participate in the learning environment with dignity, autonomy, and without impediment while preserving academic freedom, academic integrity, and academic standards.

If you have a disability, we encourage you to contact the Academic Accommodations Service as soon as possible at accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca to identify your needs and access appropriate services and supports

2.1 Know the Important Dates and Deadlines

Get to know the important dates and deadlines related to your academic program, including the start and end date of every term, the deadlines for enrolment and payment of tuition fees, exam periods, convocation dates, statutory holidays, breaks and special events for both undergraduate and graduate students. Throughout your degree, it will be your responsibility to know the deadlines and submit your documents and assignments on time.

 

2.2 Apply for Housing

On-campus Housing

Laurentian University guarantees housing for one year to newly admitted first-year undergraduate students who meet the housing guarantee criteria. Please note that on-campus residences are primarily for first-year students. However, some areas are designated for upper-year students. Click on “Residence” on your Laurentian Applicant Portal to submit your application before the deadline. 

The accommodation guarantee is valid until June 1 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). Following this deadline, you can continue to apply to housing on campus, but the offers will be made on a first come first-served basis.

Housing Services has created a Residence Updates website to keep you informed about the accommodations plan for the upcoming academic year. Visit the website to learn more about the University’s residences and the safety measures that are in place.

 

Off-campus Housing

If you choose off-campus housing, we have provided some information on how you can find a room or apartment to rent. Learn more about off-campus housing (Google Docs).

 

Temporary Accommodations

If you have not been able to arrange housing before arriving, you may wish to book temporary accommodations while you look for a permanent living option. Your options to consider are:

• Staying in a hotel or motel for a few nights (approximately $100 CAD to $170 CAD per night)
• Stay at a Hostel or find a room through Airbnb for a few nights (approximately $70 to $100 per night)

 

2.3 Activate Your Account

After accepting your offer, 2 or 3 months prior to your program start date you will receive an onboarding email to ask you to activate your student account. Visit my.laurentian.ca/start to complete the onboarding. You will need your student number at this stage. Refer to your admissions letter for your student number.

Once you’ve completed the survey and your account is activated, you will receive your Laurentian email address. You will need to know both your student number and email throughout the duration of your studies.

Once your account is active, it is important to visit my.laurentian.ca regularly for key updates as all communications from Laurentian University will be sent to your Laurentian email address. *We will no longer use your personal email to communicate with you. Your student portal is where you can receive important emails from us, upload your photo for your student card, register online for courses and much more. We suggest adding your Laurentian email address to your Google Mail Account (Gmail).

Tip: After activating your account, you will need to use your user name (not student number) to login to your MyLaurentian Portal.

 

2.4 Course Enrolment

In Canada, you must choose your courses yourself. It is very important to prepare your course selection before the enrolment period as courses can fill up quickly. Please verify the registration start date and time that apply to you.

Important:

• To register for courses, access the Self-Service platform via your my.laurentian.ca account.
• Remember to enrol for Fall AND Winter courses at the same time. Courses can fill up quickly!
• A planned course is not a registered course. To finalize your class schedule, be sure to register.

Course enrolment is a fundamental step before each academic year. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for this important step:

• Watch the course enrolment support videos;
• Use the Course Registration Guide to prepare for enrolment;
• Understand course enrolment terminology;
• Follow Student Planning;
• Finalize your registration.

 

2.5 Attend Registration Clinics (via Zoom)

Registration clinics are designed to support course registration and help you navigate your Self-Service account. These sessions will be offered live via Zoom, where you'll be able to ask your questions to members of our Orientation team.

Note: Check your offer of admission to see if you have any requirements or conditions on your file or if you need to take language courses.

View the Registration Schedule

 

Undergraduate Students

If you have specific issues related to course enrolment, contact sucess@laurentian.ca directly.

 

Graduate Students

Contact your program academic coordinator at the academic unit for program requirements and course selection.

 

2.6 Pay Your Tuition Fees

It is important to plan a budget that includes your tuition, as well as your rent or residence, books, travel and other living expenses. Consult the International Fees page to view the table of university costs depending on your situation.

The Board of Governors reserves the right to change tuition fees, ancillary fees and refund regulations without notice.

Important Notes:

• Since your student account is NOT a bank account, you can’t withdraw funds remaining in it. Remaining funds are transferred back to the bank account from which they were originally sent.
• If you do not pay your tuition and UHIP (health insurance) fees, you will be asked to withdraw from your program.

 

Statement of Account

Your statement of account will be available about one month prior to the start of courses. Once you have completed your course enrolment, your tuition fees will appear in the "Statement of Account". To view and download the Statement of Account, access the Self-Service platform via your my.laurentian.ca account.

Please verify the last day to pay tuition fees for the fall and winter terms without late payment fees.

 

Methods of Payment

International students now have two (2) options to pay their tuition fees and any other fees to the University:

• From a Bank Account Outside Canada

  Flywire offers a simple and reliable payment solution for international students coming to study in Canada.

  Go to Laurentian University’s Flywire payment portal to begin your payment, or click on the "Pay Now with Flywire" button on the Payment Options page in the How to Pay section.

  Visit the International Fees page for details about costs.

• From a Bank Account Inside Canada

  If you have a Canadian bank account, paying your fees online is the easiest and fastest way to take care of your tuition bill.

  For more information on the different payment methods and the steps to follow for each method, see the How to Pay section on the Payment Options page.

3.1 Get Your Health Insurance Card

UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) is a compulsory insurance plan for international students (and their dependents). Laurentian University will automatically create your UHIP account once you enrol in your courses and pay your fees.

Learn more about health insurance and UHIP benefits, including how to print your UHIP card and register your dependants.

 

3.2 Pack Your Suitcase

Climate and Clothes

There are four well-defined seasons in Sudbury, each with its own climate. You must have clothing that is appropriate for the weather, especially in the winter.  

To learn more about Canadian winters, read the article How to prepare for your first winter in Canada by Arrivein.com.  

For advice on adapting to life in Canada and the climate, you can also talk to one of our international ambassadors.

 

Departure Checklist

Before You Come to Canada

Before you arrive, read the pre-departure guide for tips and information about student life in Canada. To help ensure a smooth arrival in Canada, check the Canadian Border Service Agency’s Information for international students page and download their Information for International Students pamphlet (PDF, 592 KB).

 

How Early Can You Arrive in Canada Before You Start Studying?

There is no set time frame for you to arrive in Canada before you begin your studies. You should just arrive to give yourself a reasonable amount of time to prepare before you start studying.

You are not allowed to work on or off campus until you begin your studies in Canada.

 

When You Arrive in Canada

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll meet a border services officer who will make sure you meet some basic requirements. 

Read the Study permit: Prepare for arrival page for more information.

 

3.3 Airport Pickup

Laurentian University is pleased to offer a free airport shuttle service from the Sudbury Airport during the move-in dates and throughout Orientation Week. To access this service, you must provide us with your arrival details at least 2 business days prior to your arrival by completing the google form below: Airport Pickup From

Please contact us if you do not receive an email confirming your shuttle service.

Please notify us if your travel plans change. If you miss your connecting flight or are delayed for any reason, please advise us so that we can rearrange your shuttle service.

For urgent matters, send an email to international@laurentian.ca.

If you are a newly admitted student joining us, please note that you will receive pre-departure info sessions and orientation updates by email at your Laurentian (@laurentian.ca) email address and your personal email address.

4.1 Attend Orientation Week

Learn more about what to expect at Laurentian University by participating in diverse orientation activities. Meet campus experts and student guides who will walk you through everything you need to know before the academic year even begins.

Expect interactive activities that will introduce you to your faculty and student services, such as life in residence, the International Office, the Academic Support Unit, and much more!

Check the Orientation Schedule for the activities that interest you and access the information and resources you need.

 

4.2 Apply for Your Social Insurance Number

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is essential for accessing government services and it’s required if you want to work in Canada. You can apply online for your SIN number once you have arrived in Canada and you have proof of a Canadian residential address.

 

4.3 Get Your Student OneCard

We strongly encourage you to visit your student portal and get your OneCard which provides you with access to multiple services on campus.

• Your student portal can be accessed at my.laurentian.ca.
• Click on “processes”  in the left hand column. 
• Under Student Record, click on OneCard Request. You will  be required to provide a valid piece of identification (passport, Driver’s license) once completed, upload your profile picture and submit. 
• You will be notified when your Student OneCard is ready to be picked up at the Hub. 

Note: You must be registered for your courses.

 

4.4 Buy Your Textbooks

Textbooks are essential resources for your courses. We suggest not buying your textbooks until your professor confirms the textbooks that are required in the course syllabus.

You can purchase your textbooks and other course materials online.

 

4.5 Open a Bank Account

You will need to open a Canadian bank account. This should be done within the first week of arriving in Sudbury. Bank accounts have different monthly fees and options for you. We recommend you to review which bank best suits you. You will need to contact them to make an appointment. Below is a list of the major Canadian banks:

• Scotiabank
• BMO Bank of Montreal
• CIBC
• Desjardins
• HSBC
• National Bank of Canada
• RBC Royal Bank
• TD Bank Financial Group

 

4.6 Get a Cell Phone Plan

Here is a list of Canadian cell phone companies for you to choose from. We do recommend knowing your needs and verifying your options with these retailers. Once you have chosen the company and the plan you would like, you will need to bring your passport, study permit, and credit card from your new Canadian bank.

• Bell
• Fido
• Koodo
• Rogers
• Telus
• Virgin
• Freedom Mobile

Congratulations and happy studying. Remember that the international office is here to help you and guide you if you have any questions or concerns. Drop in at our office in the Parker building P-210 and come say hello!

Contact your Laurentian International Team at international@laurentian.ca for any additional support.