1. Pay your admission deposit (if applicable)
If you’re an undergraduate student or a graduate diploma student, you might have to pay a non-refundable admission deposit. If this applies to you, your offer of admission will clearly indicate the amount and the payment deadline.
You must pay this deposit to receive a provincial attestation letter (PAL), which you need to apply for your study permit.
Note: International master’s and doctoral students don’t need to pay an admission deposit (unless their program requires one) and don’t need a provincial attestation letter to apply for a study permit.
Learn more about admission deposits
Learn more about provincial attestation letters
2. Apply for your study permit
International students planning to study in Canada for more than six months must have a valid study permit before starting classes. Apply for a study permit as soon as you’ve accepted your offer of admission and received your provincial attestation letter.
Note: For study permit applications for master’s or PhD programs submitted starting January 1, 2026, you don’t need to include a PAL.
Planning to live in residence? Read your residence agreement carefully. It contains details about additional immigration documents you must provide as an international student, housing cancellation options and deadlines. If this applies to you, we’ll send email reminders over the summer.
Learn more about how to apply for your study permit from outside Canada
Learn more about how to extend your study permit from within Canada
3. Prepare your documents to travel to Canada
Before you travel, make sure you have all the documents you need to enter Canada and all the documents you need to study in Canada.
The uOttawa Student Immigration Advising Team holds a virtual information session in August to explain current immigration regulations for international students and answer questions about when to arrive in Canada, which documents to bring and what to expect at the border.
If you’ve applied for your study permit from outside Canada and your application has been approved, you must still present your letter of introduction on arrival in Canada to receive your study permit.
Learn more about which documents you need to travel to Canada
Learn more about how to receive your study permit on arrival
4. Join us online for immigration support
Have immigration-related questions? Join our weekly online drop-in immigration advice sessions, where you can connect directly with our certified immigration advisers. They’ll be happy to answer your questions about study permits, travelling to Canada and immigration-related support available to you as a uOttawa student. No appointment needed. These sessions are a friendly, welcoming space to get clarity and feel confident as you prepare for your stay in Canada.
Learn more about immigration advice sessions
5. Review your health insurance coverage
Your health and well-being are important. At uOttawa, international students must purchase two separate health insurance plans:
- University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP): Provides essential medical coverage, including doctor and hospital visits, surgeries and medical tests.
- Health and dental insurance: Covers prescription medications, dental care, optometry and care from certain specialists.
The uOttawa UHIP adviser holds a virtual information session in August to explain to new students how UHIP works and how to access care when needed.
As UHIP is mandatory for international students and their dependants, check your uOttawa statement of account in August to confirm that the UHIP fee has been added. If your spouse or children are coming with you to Canada, complete the UHIP Dependant Application Form online as soon as you arrive. If you submit your enrolment application more than 30 days after your arrival, a late enrolment fee will apply.
Learn more about health and dental insurance (undergraduate students)
Learn more about health and dental insurance (graduate students)
6. Stay connected on WhatsApp or WeChat
Stay connected with your regional student mentor on WhatsApp or WeChat to receive key updates about upcoming events, important reminders and practical tips tailored to international students.
The mentors’ WhatsApp space is a supportive channel rather than a group chat, so your phone number isn’t visible to other students. You can also message your mentor one-on-one if you have questions. Just click the link below to join.
If you prefer WeChat, start by scanning the QR code in the “Get in touch” section below to follow our official WeChat account. After you’ve followed the account, type “2026” in the message box and send it. You will then automatically receive a QR code to join the incoming uOttawa students’ group.
