Arrival and Orientation

Acadia University is excited to welcome all new international students beginning September 3, 2022. Welcome Week and orientation events begin Sunday, September 4 for new students.

Acadia will have a booth setup inside the airport which you should be able to see once you pick up your luggage.

Free Airport Pick-up

We will be offering an airport pick-up service to new international students on September 3 and 4. Complete the arrival form so that we are aware of your arrival time. Please note space is limited on the bus, so sign up soon!

The free airport shuttle service will be offered at various times throughout the day on September 3 and 4 as follows:

September 3: Pick up times at 1.30pm, 4.30pm, and 9.30pm
September 4: Pick up at 3:00am and 4.30pm

Please note that the free airport pick-up shuttle service is for students only. Guardians/parents should arrange for their own transportation.

Arriving at another date or time

Students who arrive before these dates and/or outside of the pick-up times will be responsible for their own transportation and cost associated with it. If you fall in this category, you can contact Woods Limousine Services and arrange a time for them to pick you up at the airport.

Students who will be living on-campus and arriving before the arrival date of Sept 3rd must contact Residence Life (residencelife@acadiau.ca) to inform them of this so they are prepared for your arrival.

Travelling to Canada

Before travelling, ensure that you are eligible to enter and that you possess all necessary documentation. To be able to enter Canada as a student, you must meet three requirements:

You must qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller and you must complete your ArriveCAN submission.
You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit, unless you don't need one, and
You must be attending a designated learning institution. Acadia's DLI # is O19391556792.

For more information on travelling to Canada, please see IRCC’s COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada page.

Canadian immigration laws and procedures are ever-changing, so please refer to COVID-19: Travel, Quarantine and Borders site for the most recent information. In the event of a discrepancy regarding the information provided on this website, IRCC and Government of Canada take precedent.

Health Insurance

Student VIP, in partnership with the ASU, will be administering the ASU Health, Dental and International Medical Plans starting September 1 if you are arriving for the fall semester or January 1st if you are arriving for the winter semester. Please contact tanya.comeau@acadiau.ca if you have any questions about the health plan.

Students who are arriving at Acadia University before September 1 or January 1 are strongly encouraged to consider purchasing travel insurance to cover any medical expenses you may have in Canada before these dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I start my study permit application? Are they still processing applications?

You are required to apply online by creating an account with the Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Visit the IRCC website to learn more and to start your study permit application.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to accept applications, but applications are being processed at slower rates. Processing times posted on the IRCC website are based on the normal processing times for an application, and it does not take into account any delays caused by COVID-19. Currently, there are no options to expedite processing of study permit applications. However, IRCC recently announced new measures to prioritize processing of study permit applications.

2. I received the Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) as part of my study permit application. How can I complete this?

Most VACs are now operating with limited hours and services. Check the VAC’s website before you go.

For the VACs that are reopening, new health and safety measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If your VAC is closed and you need to contact IRCC, using the webform. Do not go to a visa office.

For more information, please visit the Government of Canada's biometric information page and procedures page.

3. If I defer my program to next term, when should I apply for my study permit and temporary resident visa?

If you decide to defer your program to next term, you should start your study permit and temporary resident visa applications as soon as possible due to delays in processing. Please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for more information.

4. If my (initial) study permit is refused do I get back my tuition money?

Choosing to join us does not guarantee your ability to obtain a study permit. If you choose to move forward with your studies without a study permit in place, you are responsible for affiliated tuition fees. Please review Acadia’s financial policies prior to making your decision.

5. What to do if I can’t provide the required documents for my application?

If you cannot provide all the documents required for your study permit application, you must provide a letter of explanation stating why you can’t submit all the required documents. You must also provide a letter of acceptance from the DLI when you apply. For more information regarding this, please visit letter of explanation for any documents that are missing.

6. What documents do I need to enter Canada as an international student?

As stated by IRCC, International Student Entering Canada must have:

a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
You must be attend a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.
Proof of enough money to support yourself and any family members travelling with you to Canada

Please review our Travel Documents Checklist for more.