FAQ for Fall 2020/Winter 2021

As of February 22, 2021, all air travellers are required to take a COVID-19 test at the first Port of Entry at the airport upon arrival in Canada and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine (travellers are still required to present a negative test COVID test to board a flight to Canada; all testing will be at the traveller's expense).
All travellers are required to take a COVID-19 test at the first Port of Entry at the airport, upon arrival in Canada and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine (travellers are still required to present a negative test COVID test to board a flight to Canada; all testing will be at the traveller's expense).

Travellers must quarantine in a designated hotel for three days at their own expense while they await test results.

Reservation must be made before departure; the Canada Border Services officer at POE may ask for proof of booking. Travellers can start making reservations starting February 18, 2021 (more details to follow). Costs of these hotel stays may vary slightly at each location. It is up to the traveller to choose where they wish to stay and book in advance of departure. The price will include costs associated with the room, food, cleaning, infection prevention and control measures, security, and transportation from the airport.

If the test result comes back negative, the traveller will be allowed to continue to their final destination and complete the quarantine requirement.

If the test result comes back positive, the traveller will be moved to a Federal quarantine facility to complete the mandatory quarantine requirement.

As part of the University's COVID-19 Readiness Plan, all international students wishing to travel to Canada need an approved quarantine plan either by booking the Isolation Accommodation Program or signing up to the Off-Campus Isolation Travel Registry.

Read Travel to Canada During COVID for more information.

As long as you have a valid study permit or have been approved for a study permit and visa upon entry and will be coming to continue/start your studies at UAlberta in Canada, you will be allowed entry to Canada. 

That said, you may wish to consider postponing your travel to Canada during this time unless there are compelling reasons requiring you to enter Canada, given that IRCC has expanded the PGWP COVID measures. These measures now allow students to complete 100% of their programs online outside of Canada until December 31, 2021, while still having this time count towards eligibility for the PGWP.

If you plan to come to Canada, you should not plan to enter too soon before the start of your courses if your entry will be during a time when you will not have any course registration.

More importantly, when planning for your entry to Canada, make sure that you review our Travel to Canada During COVID pages to learn more about the travel restrictions that apply to you.

It is important to note that you will be required to follow and pay for the new travel restriction requirements in place upon entry, including the new three-day mandatory hotel quarantine requirement. View New Travel Restrictions and Implications for PGWP

International Student Services will monitor local travel restrictions and update information accordingly. We will do our best to link students to reliable services.

Travellers are under mandatory 14-day self-quarantine (internationally arriving passengers from outside the country) may take public transportation, such as taxis or ridesharing, if they do not show any symptoms. Transportation is provided as part of the UAlberta Isolation Accommodation Program.

Students are encouraged to check the Edmonton International Airport for updates at their time of travel.

The online courses are delivered by the same high-quality instructors who also deliver on-campus instruction.

Tuition Deposit Deadline

The deadline for applicants to pay their tuition deposit has been extended from May 1, 2020, to June 1, 2020. Students can begin registering in courses once their tuition deposit is received and processed.

Check with your Faculty for online supports.

The Academic Success Centre has collected resources to assist you in the transition to distance learning.

It is important to know your rights and responsibilities and to understand what you are responsible for. Visit our guide on Renter's Rights and Responsibilities and also read to learn about the landlord-tenant act and the Government of Alberta guidelines.

UAlberta Residences are available for Fall 2020 intake.

Residences will be available for incoming and returning students for 2020-2021, subject to directives from the Chief Medical Officer. Accommodation will also be available for students arriving who may need self-isolation. This applies to students wishing to live in residence and students, faculty and staff returning to campus from international locations.

Many of UAlberta services for students are available online.

Counselling & Clinical Services set up online to support as many students as possible while the campus works remotely due to COVID-19. They provide single-session, supportive counselling via telephone in lieu of regular on-going counselling and initial consultation services. Learn more

Residences, Faculties and International Students Services have virtual peer and mentoring programs running. Do take advantage of some of the online activities produced around the campus community. Email advising@ualberta.ca to make connections.

There are many career resources on campus, including at UAlberta International and the Career Centre, available online.

International students can contact Wendy Yu, International Student Advisor - Career Development.

Graduate students can find professional development resources on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research website.