Immigration
About Lakehead International Student Services on Immigration
Lakehead International Student Services (ISS) team is happy to help you with immigration questions or concerns, whether you are an incoming student, a current student, or a student about to graduate!
Attention to all students: Lakehead International does not provide any assistance with PR applications. We are committed to hosting webinars and workshops on various PR pathways and encourage our students to register and attend them.
Do you know that you can interact with us in more than one way?
1-on-1 Appointments |
Lakehead International Student Services (ISS) offers both in-person and online appointments for our students to meet with an immigration consultant and discuss their specific questions or concerns. Please feel free to choose a date and time that works best for you!
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Immigration Drop-In Session |
Lakehead International Student Services (ISS) offers drop-in sessions every Wednesday from 2 PM to 3 PM for students to ask any immigration-related questions. You can join the session both online and in person. Please note our session is first come first serve basis. If you choose an in-person session, please visit our International Student Centre which is located in the ground floor of the Chancellor Paterson Library. If you choose an online session, please click the link below
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Immigration Workshops & Webinars |
Lakehead International Student Services (ISS) is here to support students from around the world, we offer regular online sessions for students to join and learn about important immigration documents and processes. Topics can include:
Immigration Workshops & Webinars
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Email and FAQs |
We know our students have similar immigration questions. Hence, we have developed the FAQs page to help with initial inquiries.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Alternatively, if you are unable to meet with us virtually or in person and our FAQ page does not address your question or concern, you also have the option to direct any inquiries to our email, immigration.intl@lakeheadu.ca |
Studying In Canada Entering To Canada Working In Canada
Inviting Family to Visit Canada Staying in Canada after Graduate
Social Insurance Number (SIN) Lakehead International Immigration Resources
Need Additional Support on Your Application Stay up-to-date with IRCC
Immigration Workshops & Webinars
Pages
Studying In Canada
A study permit is an immigration document issued by the Canadian government that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada.
Study permit: About the process
Your study permit is not a visa. You may need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. If your study permit has been approved by the Canadian Government, they’ll issue the visa to you with your study permit.
Study Permit Initial Application (Applying Outside of Canada) |
The study permit applications can take months to be processed. Therefore, we strongly recommend students apply as soon as they have their Lakehead University's Letter of Acceptance (LOA). How to apply for a study permit
STUDY PERMIT: ABOUT THE PROCESS
How long will it take to get a study permit approved? Select: “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)” > “Study permit (from outside Canada)” > name of the country from where you are applying. After applying
How does COVID-19 impact the application? IRCC continues to accept applications during the COVID-19 response. Visa offices and Visa Application Centres (VACs) may be closed in your region. Applying online as soon as you have the necessary documents is highly recommended as estimated processing times are likely to be extended. |
Study Permit Extension (Applying Inside Canada) |
A study permit application can be submitted within Canada by someone that is already in Canada with:
How to apply to extend your student status? Study Permit Extension: About The Process
Transferring Students to Lakehead University from any Canadian University or College: You must notify IRCC about the change of institution. Change Your Post-Secondary Institution International Students to Lakehead University from any Canadian High School:
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Entering To Canada
To enter Canada as an international student in addition to a study permit, you need to have either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depending on your country of citizenship.
Your study or work permit does not allow entry to Canada. If you renew your study permit or change your status to a worker while in Canada, you can renew the TRV or eTA for travel after the new permit has been approved.
Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) |
A temporary resident visa (TRV) is an official counterfoil document issued by a visa office that is placed in a person’s passport to show that they have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (international student or worker). Holding a TRV does not guarantee entry to Canada. The admission of foreign nationals into Canada as temporary residents is a privilege, not a right. Please note the information below:
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Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) |
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA. With a valid eTA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time). You do not need an eTA for travel within Canada. An eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other documents. You must convince the officer that you are eligible for entry into Canada. Please note the information below:
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TRV or eTA renewals |
How to renew your TRV? Visitor visa: About the document
How long will it take to get a TRV approved? Select: “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)” > “Visitor visa (from outside Canada)” > name of the country from where you are applying.
How to renew your eTA? |
Working In Canada
To work in Canada as an international student, you need to understand the rules and regulations set by the Canadian Government.
Studying and working in Canada as an international student
Working While Studying |
Working On Campus Students can work on campus if they:
IRCC does not limit the number of hours an eligible student can work on campus.
Work on campus as an international student
Working Off Campus Students can work off campus if they:
Study Permits: Off-Campus Work Work off campus as an international student
If you’re a part-time student: You can work off-campus if you meet all of the requirements above and you’re only studying part-time because you’re in the last semester of your study program and you were a full-time student in your program in Canada, up until your last semester. If you’re on authorized leave from your studies, or you’re switching schools and you’re not studying: You cannot works off-campus until you’re back to studying. If you are interested in learning more about on or off-campus employment and networking opportunities, resume or cover letter building, check out Lakehead University Career Zone website. From November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023, you can work more than 20 hours per week off campus while class is in session if you
In addition, you must meet all these requirements:
If you have concerns about your eligibility, please email immigration.intl@lakeheadu.ca. Eligible students can only work more than twenty (20) hours per week during “Scheduled Breaks”. " Scheduled Breaks" is when the university or program can document that students are not required to be taking courses (eg. summer for undergraduate students). |
Co-op Work Permit |
A co-op work permit allows international students to participate in programs of study in Canada that require a co-op, internship, or other kinds of placement that can be paid or unpaid.
Work as a co-op student or intern If you have been offered an ‘internship’ as a summer job, but it is not a requirement of your program, you may be able to complete it using the on or off-campus work rules noted above. |
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) |
International students who complete a qualifying program of study in Canada are eligible to apply for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP) for up to three (3) years.
Work in Canada after you graduate: About the post-graduation work permit |
Spousal or Common Law Partner Work Permit |
International Student that is accompanied by a spouse or partner is eligible to request a work permit if they want the right to work in Canada. This can be requested along with an initial study permit application or can be requested after a spouse or partner arrives in Canada. |
Inviting Family to Visit Canada
If you wish to invite your family members that require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada, you should send them the following supporting documents when applying:
- An Invitation letter written by you (Lakehead University does not provide an invitation letter, since you are the one inviting them.)
- A copy of your Proof of Status in Canada (study or work permit)
- A copy of your passport
- Your proof of enrollment if you are studying
- Additional documents may be required to support your family’s TRV application and they should follow the application instructions for the country they are applying from and the method of their application.
Application for a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV)
Staying in Canada after You Graduate
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required for anyone that wants to work and be paid in Canada. International students with valid study permits may obtain or renew their SIN online or visit Service Canada
For Employer Information: Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Find a Service Canada Office |
Thunder Bay: Service Canada, 975 Alloy Drive, Thunder Bay Orillia: Service Canada, 50 Andrew Street South, Suite 101, Orillia Others: https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/tbsc-fsco/sc-hme.jsp?lang=eng |
Conditions to Apply SIN as an International Students |
To apply for a SIN to work off-campus, you must have these conditions printed on your study permit:
If your study permit doesn’t have work conditions on it:
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Lakehead International Immigration Resources
Lakehead International Student Services (ISS) offers informative videos and resources to provide our students with step-by-step guidance for their immigration application.
STUDY PERMIT EXTENSION TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA (TRV)
Need Additional Support on Your Application?
In the event that you need additional support on your application, you can reach out to :
- IRCC Help Centre (frequently asked questions – online)
- IRCC Web Form (direct inquiries can be submitted through the web form)
- IRCC Client Support (Call) Centre – 1-888-242-2100 (for those already in Canada).
Automated telephone service is available 24/7 and you can listen to pre-recorded information about IRCC programs and check the status of your application.
Call Centre agents and services are available in English and Français (Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, excluding holidays)