Faculty of Engineering GRADUATE STUDENTS - Last updated June 23rd, 9:00 am

Useful links:
The University COVID-19 FAQ web-page https://www.uottawa.ca/coronavirus/en/student-
information
The International Office https://international.uottawa.ca/en
Immigration FAQ: https://international.uottawa.ca/en/study-at-uottawa/current-
students/immigration#1
University Quarantine Package: https://www.uottawa.ca/housing/coronavirus/quarantine
UHIP FAQ: https://international.uottawa.ca/en/uhip-faq
Virtual “SOS Immigration” drop-in sessions:
https://www.facebook.com/mentorsbiio/events/?ref=page_internal
Arrivals webpage https://international.uottawa.ca/en/arrival-of-students-and-quarantine
uOttawa Wellness website https://www.uottawa.ca/wellness/covid-19/virtual-series
Students Academic Success Services: https://sass.uottawa.ca/en
FAQ webpage on Housing https://www.uottawa.ca/housing/coronavirus
Financial Aids and Awards https://www.uottawa.ca/financial-aid-awards/
Important Academic dates and deadlines https://www.uottawa.ca/important-academic-dates-
and-deadlines/
Updated tuition fees calculator https://www.uottawa.ca/university-fees/
Class Search Tool https://www.uottawa.ca/course-timetable/
IRCC updates on COVID-19 measures and immigration policy
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-
covid19/students.html
Flying to Canada requirements checklist: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-
restrictions/flying-canada-checklist

1. Can I defer the start of the graduate degree for one semester?
Admission cannot be deferred. Students who wish to defer will have to reapply for the next open
term. Please note, there may be impact from the immigration standpoint (for immigration-
related questions, please contact the International Office by e-mail: uointl@uOttawa.ca
or IRCC directly). We strongly encourage you to start your program in September. If you are not
able to be physically present on campus, you can start your degree remotely. Your health and
safety are our highest priority. As a result, uOttawa is providing a flexible approach towards
learning and student life to ensure that you can start your studies no matter what situation we
face regarding the pandemic.
We are hoping to have 30-50% of our graduate courses offered in person in fall. However, we
understand that many of our students may not be on campus come fall. All graduate courses will
make reasonable accommodations for students who are taking the course remotely. All courses
will continue to make effective use of video-conferencing and Brightspace and Teams for remote
students as they have done throughout the pandemic.
 2. What is the recommended course load for the Fall 2021 and Winter 2022?
6 units is the recommended course load for full time non-thesis graduate students in the Faculty
of Engineering. This does not relate to thesis-based students.

3. How do I access to remote software and apps? What should I do if I need any technical
assistance?
To access remotely the uOttawa apps for students you need to enroll in MFA
(https://it.uottawa.ca/security/mfa_opt) and install VMware's "Horizon View" client.
For detailed instructions on how to do that please use this link:
https://engineering.uottawa.ca/it/remote-apps-migration
For any access to applications and portals please contact the uOttawa IT Service Centre here
https://topdesk.uottawa.ca/ . This link allows to create a ticket with reference number. Keep this
number and use it as identifier to follow up on your request.
For instructions on how to get access to software and apps used during the virtual lab sessions
please use this link: https://it.uottawa.ca/students/remote_labs

VERY IMPORTANT:
For any technical issues you are facing during an exam or quiz please contact IT immediately:
1. by phone, call 1-866-811-3201, or
2. use the online contact form posted here: https://uottawa.saea-tlss.ca/en/virtual-
campus/brightspace-support-form
You also need to inform your course instructor as soon as possible.

4. Can I take a leave of absence?

From an academic point of view, the Faculty of Engineering will be flexible in allowing returning
students who want to take a leave of absence. Newly admitted students cannot take the leave
of absence. Students who are not registered to a continuing activity (e.g. thesis, proposal,
comprehensive exam, or seminar) can take one semester off simply by not registering. In all
other situations, a leave of absence request must be submitted for each semester in which a
leave of absence request is required. Students on university scholarships will have those
scholarships automatically deferred. For other scholarships, the granting agency must be
contacted directly.
However, there are other factors to consider. Students who are not registered full-time cannot
be hired as TAs or RAs. In addition, there may be impact from the immigration standpoint. Also,
to maintain your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) you may need to maintain
your full-time status (for the impact on your PGWP eligibility, please check the Immigration FAQ
or contact the International Office: uointl@uOttawa.ca). Summer semester is an exception for
non-thesis programs, since the Faculty of Engineering has declared summer semester as an
official semester off. For immigration purposes, the summer term (May to August) for non-thesis
program is considered a regularly scheduled break approved by the University. Students should
resume full-time studies in September.
 5. If courses are offered online, will I be able to do research?
The Faculty of Engineering re-opened research labs with updated safety procedures and
monitoring in response to COVID-19. This was carefully designed in collaboration with
government public health agencies. Access to labs will be scheduled to ensure that all students
can conduct their research while keeping the number of students in labs sufficient to ensure
adequate social distancing.

6. I am facing significant financial difficulties. Are there any financial aid opportunities
available?
There might be financial aid opportunities available at uOttawa for students who are facing
significant financial difficulties due to the pandemic and other reasons. Please reach out
to loansandawards@uottawa.ca providing details of your situation.
Please see this helpful list of links to important information that can help you apply for funds:

 Support for students and new grads affected by COVID-19 (Logistics and application to
come BUT there is a minimum guarantee of $5,000 for Canadian students)
 Government Financial Assistance Program (full- or part-time, Canadian and US students);
 Employment Insurance (where applicable);
 Ontario Works or their Emergency assistance (where applicable).
 Graduate Student's Association des étudiant.es diplômé.es (GSAÉD)

7. Is there any scholarship available for the international students?

Only international full-time course or project-based students admitted and registered to their
first semester in: Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Fall 2021, or Winter 2022 will receive a $3,000 bursary
if they are registered to precisely 6 units (2 courses x 3 units each, or 4 courses x 1.5 units each,
or any other combination of courses leading to 6 units EXACLTY). To qualify, you have to be
registered in M.Eng, M.C.S non-thesis, M.Ing, M.Sys.Sc., M.D.T.I., M.I.T.N. (NOTE: all thesis
programs are EXCLUDED: M.A.Sc, PhD, M.C.S thesis, M.Sc). If you register to fewer or greater
than 6 units of courses, you are no longer eligible for the bursary in that semester or any
subsequent semesters. You do NOT need to apply for this bursary. It will be applied
automatically to your uOttawa financial account in September or January, for all students who
qualify, shortly after the last day to add courses for Fall or Winter Semester has passed.

8. I am a new international student admitted to a master's or doctoral program beginning

in May 2021, September 2021, or January 2022 who have been awarded an admission
or other scholarship. What would be the impact on my scholarship if I am not able to
come to Canada?

As many newly international students will not have had the opportunity to come to Ottawa,
obtain a study permit, a social insurance number, or a bank account in Canada, we will be
unable to transfer funds to you.
Impacts for newly admitted international students admitted in the above-mentioned
semesters:
  For students who have been offered an admission scholarship, the scholarship portion
of your offer will be applied as a credit to your uoCampus student account. The tuition
fees and university fees owed to the University will be applied against this scholarship.
o You will only have to pay the balance of the fees, if any.
o If the scholarship covers the entirety of your fees and an amount is owed to you,
we will be able to transfer the funds to you once you have a Canadian bank
account.

For students who have been offered an admission scholarship with a second component in the
form of an employment contract, please note that in order for us to consider offering any
employment contract (ex: teaching or research assistantship), you must reside in Canada and
demonstrate that you have a social insurance number and that you can legally work in Canada.
Please note that for the University to be able to transfer funds associated with such employment
contract, you must have a Canadian bank account. If you are unable to satisfy these
requirements, the University will be unable to offer the second component of your admission
scholarship and this financial component will not be deferred to a later date.

9. I applied a long time ago for a study permit, but still have not heard back from IRCC.
This is not unusual as IRCC has had unusual delays processing applications over the last year.

10. If I don’t have an approved study permit, would I be able to start my program at a
distance without a study permit while outside Canada? How will studying online affect
my Post Graduation Work Permit?

IRCC has confirmed that if you do not have an approved study permit, you can still begin your
courses online. In order to have the entire time spent studying outside Canada count towards
your PGWP, you need to apply for a study permit before you start your program (i.e. before
September 8th for Fall semester and before January 10th for Winter semester). A study permit
is required for studies taken in person in Canada. Application for the study permit is also required
for the time spent studying online from outside Canada to be counted toward the length of a
post-graduation work permit. Only the time you spent studying online after your application was
received will count toward the length of your PGWP.

If you can’t travel to Canada at this time and you’re taking your classes online, you’re still
eligible for a PGWP.

To be eligible, you must:

 meet all the other PGWP requirements

and
 have been enrolled in a program that was in progress in March 2020, or
 have started or will start a program between spring 2020 and fall 2021, and
o you have a study permit, or
 o you’ve been approved for a study permit, or
o you applied for a study permit before starting your study program
 your study permit must eventually be approved

If you are outside Canada and will finish your program by December 31, 2021, you can complete
100% of your studies online. All your time studying online outside Canada between spring 2020
and December 31, 2021, now counts toward the length of a PGWP. This applies even if you’re
completing two study programs. This means that there is no more “50% rule” up until the end of
2021. Time spent studying outside Canada after December 31, 2021, won’t count towards the
length of a PGWP. Time spent studying before you applied for a study permit won’t count
towards the length of a PGWP.

If you’re in Canada, you’re still eligible for the PGWP if:

 your classes have been moved to an online-only format, or
 You had to put your studies on hold, or study part-time during the winter or spring-
summer 2020 semesters because of COVID-19.
We encourage you to consult our Quarantine webpage and Immigration FAQs which house a lot
of useful information and are updated regularly. We also encourage you to attend our SOS
Immigration weekly virtual drop-in sessions that now take place on a rotating schedule,
alternating between Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. (EST) should you have
any questions.

11. I’m international student, can I travel to Canada now?

Since October 20th, 2020, international students who satisfy certain conditions may travel to
Canada.

Exemptions to travel restrictions

Canada announced that it has closed its borders to non-citizens or non-permanent residents of
Canada arriving by air from a country other than the United States with some exemptions. In
addition, the Canada-US borders are also restricted to non-optional or non-discretionary travel
until December 21, 2020 and may be extended beyond this date. As an international student, you
are exempt from travel restrictions and can be allowed to enter Canada if you satisfy the
following conditions:   
 You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were
approved for a study permit; and  
 You must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness
plan approved by its province or territory  

Accompanying family members

Certain family members may also be eligible to travel with you. Although IRCC mentions that
immediate family members do not need a written authorization from IRCC to travel with you, we
have seen several students experience issues with airlines. We are therefore recommending to
everyone who will be travelling with family members to request a letter of authorization just to
be safe. You may send your request via filling out the web form on the IRCC website. 
 
New measures on COVID-19 mandatory pre-arrival COVID-19 tests, hotel stopover and arrival
COVID-19 tests

As of February 21, 2021, you must meet the new testing and quarantine requirements when
coming to Canada. Use the checklist that applies to you:

 Flying to Canada requirements checklist

 Driving to Canada requirements checklist

o Mandatory pre-arrival COVID-19 Tests

All passengers five years of age or older are required to test negative for COVID-19 before
travelling by air from another country to Canada. Documentation of a negative COVID-
19 laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada.
The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular test, and must be taken within 72 hours
prior to boarding a flight to Canada. For more information on the testing requirement please visit
this website.

o Mandatory arrival COVID-19 Tests

You will be required to take a test before leaving the airport. You will also be provided with a
COVID-19 At Home Specimen Collection Kit to use for your test on day 10 of your mandatory
quarantine. Following the arrival test, you will need to go to your reserved hotel to await test
results.

o COVID-19 mandatory hotel stopover

Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed that beginning 5 July, fully vaccinated travellers
(both Canadian and International) who meet all requirements at the Canadian border will be
exempted from mandatory quarantine. They will still need to have a quarantine plan in case
border officials determine they haven’t met all requirements. To be considered fully vaccinated,
a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines —
accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Approved
vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
and students will have to have received two doses unless they have received Johnson &
Johnson, which is a one-dose vaccine. Students will also have to be asymptomatic and will still
have to do pre- and on-arrival COVID testing.

For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are no changes to Canada’s current border
measures. They must continue to adhere to the current testing and federal quarantine
requirements. These travellers are also required to: reserve a government-authorized hotel for
3 nights prior to departure to Canada; stay in the government-authorized hotel while awaiting
the results of the COVID-19 molecular test taken on arrival; pay for the cost of the hotel stay, as
well as all associated costs for food, security, transportation, infection prevention and control
measures. Travelers are able to book their government-authorized stay following the instructions
on this website. For more information, please visit this website. The exact cost will depend on
the hotel selected but travellers can expect to pay between $800-$1200 for the 3 nights including
food.

Once you receive your negative test result, you will be able to proceed to your final quarantine
location in Ottawa or elsewhere in Canada for the remainder of your 14 days in quarantine. You
might not know in advance which day you will be able to leave the government approved hotel,
so please be prepared to change your travel plans. It is mandatory to register your quarantine
plan with the University so that our quarantine support team can check in with you and update
you in case there are any changes to the rules or how they are being implemented.

The University’s quarantine package at Les Suites hotel is still available for those without their
own place to quarantine. Travellers are not permitted to quarantine in University residence. Use
our registration form to book the package. We will make your booking for the fourth day of your
quarantine and send you a confirmation email.

ArriveCan App
All travellers coming to Canada will need to use the ArriveCan app to provide mandatory travel
information. Please note that if you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before
you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be
allowed to enter Canada by air, regardless of their nationality.   On February 22, 2021, all
travellers, whether arriving by land or air will be required to submit their travel and contact
information, including a suitable quarantine plan, electronically via ArriveCAN before crossing
the border or boarding a flight. For information on how to use ArriveCan, please visit this website.

Please note that the use of a non-medical mask or face covering to cover your mouth and nose
is mandatory during travel on all flights arriving and departing from a Canadian airport. When
you arrive in Canada, officers will assess your health before you leave the airport. They will also
question you on your plans to self-isolate. It is mandatory that you isolate for 14 days even if you
have no symptoms. You must declare to the border officer: “I/we acknowledge that I/we must
self-isolate for 14 days to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.” For more information on
how to isolate effectively, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s online resource and
our own website. You  must also download the ArriveCAN mobile app or print out your Arrive
Can declaration as mandated by the Canadian Public Health Agency  

Quarantine
As part of the COVID-19 readiness plan ALL students MUST register their quarantine plans with
the University and follow the directions given on how to quarantine effectively.   If your
quarantine plan is not considered satisfactory, you may be sent to a designated place chosen by
the border officer at your own expense.
Our quarantine support team will guide you through the quarantine process once you register.

 Quarantine and travel rules can change at any time. Make your plans but be prepared
to change them.
 At this time, fully vaccinated travellers must quarantine. This requirement could change.
 The bookings at government-approved hotels are often non-refundable, so we
recommend that you book shortly before your trip in case the rules change or you do
not travel.
 Find a final quarantine location where you can stay longer than 11 days if
necessary. Students occasionally face delays in getting the test results needed to leave
quarantine, or they test positive at the end of their quarantine. If you test positive, you
must extend your quarantine for an additional 14 days from your test date.
 You are responsible for paying for your quarantine.
 Quarantine cannot be done in regular University Residence rooms.
 Students without a place to quarantine after the government-approved hotel can book
a University quarantine package. New quarantine packages, with stays on campus, will
be available starting in July.
 You may want to consider spending quarantine in the Ottawa/Gatineau region, which is
closer to the University and our support services.

Supporting documents when travelling

To travel to Canada as an international student, you must have the following documents in
addition to your usual electronic travel authorization (eTA) or temporary resident visa (TRV) (visa
stamp):

 A valid study permit or a port of entry letter of introduction that shows you were
approved for a study permit.
 A valid letter of admission and a confirmation of attendance (official enrollment
verification letter) from uOttawa for a program that has not been suspended or
cancelled.
o You can order an official enrollment verification letter from InfoService. If your
travel is imminent, you should request an electronic copy of your document.
 Please note that in person services are currently closed. InfoService
accepts document orders online through your uoZone account, as usual.
There is a tutorial available on their website that can help you with your
document request. If you would like a copy of your official documents
(transcripts or enrolment verifications) sent by e-mail, please follow these
steps:
 Select the Send to a different address option.
 Add the email address of the recipient on the first line of the
address field.
  Add the mailing address of the recipient on the remaining address
lines.
 A PDF copy of your documents will be sent by email and the original copy
will be sent by mail.
 Proof that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members who
come with you to Canada.
 Valid immigration medical examination results if you are coming from a designated
country or territory (meaning a country or territory for which they are required), or if you
are:
o a medical student
o a student in a health sciences field who will have placements in health-care or
home-care settings
o an education student who will have placements in primary or secondary schools
o teaching small children
 A plan for your quarantine (shared via the ArriveCan app)

You MUST request a letter of support from the Faculty before you travel to Canada. Thesis
students can obtain this letter from their thesis supervisor (signed by their supervisor). Course-
based students (non-thesis) obtain this letter (signed by their program coordinator) by submitting
a service request (via uOZone). When you send the request for this letter either to your
supervisor or via service request, you must attach your valid study permit (or IRCC Letter of
Introduction showing that you have been approved for the study permit), confirmation that you
have registered your quarantine plan with uOttawa and the date when you are arriving to
Canada.

Note that if you are travelling to Canada but are not currently enrolled full time in courses or a
work term, there is a risk that your travel may be deemed non-essential at your departure
airport or at Customs when you arrive in Canada.

Therefore, to avoid this situation, unless you are taking courses during the Spring -Summer term,
select a travel date that is as close as possible to the start of your courses.

Keep an eye on IRCC’s web page for international students affected by COVID-19 restrictions. 
We also invite you to participate in the weekly virtual "SOS immigration" sessions if you have
any immigration-related questions.

12. It’s mentioned on the IRCC web-page that I need to quarantine for 14 days when I travel
to Canada. Does uOttawa offer a quarantine package? Can I have my own quarantine
arrangements?
The Government of Canada has issued an order under the Quarantine Act, requiring any person
entering Canada to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days starting on the day they arrive in Canada.
You must have a quarantine plan ready to share with airline and border officials in order to travel
to Canada. The Government of Canada is strictly enforcing quarantine rules. You can expect to
be called by public health authorities and be visited by police to ensure that you are following
quarantine plans. Failure to follow quarantine orders may result in a fine of up to $1,000,000 or
a prison term of up to 3 years.

The University is pleased to offer a quarantine package that includes accommodations and 3
meals per day.

Please use the registration form to book the package. We will make your booking for the fourth
day of your quarantine and send you a confirmation email. If you have questions or concerns
about the quarantine package, please contact uOttawa's International Office
at uointl@uottawa.ca.

You can also make your own quarantine arrangements. Our arrivals website provides you with
helpful self-isolation planning resources. We recommend students who are unfamiliar with
Ottawa select the quarantine package as it can be challenging to be s elf-sufficient in a new place.

It is mandatory for all uOttawa international students travelling to Canada to register their
quarantine plans with the University prior to travelling. The registry will be used to take
bookings for the quarantine package and to support students making private quarantine
arrangements.

The information provided above assists you in developing a quarantine plan. If your quarantine
plan is not considered satisfactory, you may be sent to a designated place chosen by the border
officer at your own expense or not be allowed to enter Canada. The final decision on whether a
quarantine plan is satisfactory rests with border and public health authorities.

13. Can the Faculty provide me with a support letter indicating that my travel to Canada
is non-optional and non-discretionary?

Thesis students can obtain their letter of support from their Thesis Supervisor (do not contact
the Graduate Office directly for this request).
Non-thesis students who wish a program letter of support can submit a service request to the
graduate office. They must attach a copy of their valid study permit or a copy of their Port of
Entry Letter of Introduction.

When you send the request for the travel support letter either to your supervisor or via service
request, you must attach:
- confirmation that you have registered your quarantine plan with uOttawa and
- the date when you are arriving to Canada and
- your valid study permit (or IRCC Letter of Introduction showing that you have been
approved for the study permit)

14. When does the UHIP coverage start?

There are provisions in UHIP that students are covered from August 10 th, as soon as the student
enrolls in the fall semester, December 10th for the winter semester. For more information please
consult https://uhip.ca/Enrollment/PlanDetails, https://international.uottawa.ca/en/uhip-faq or
the International Office uointl@uottawa.ca

15. Can I use UHIP for reimbursement of medical expenses while I’m outside Canada?
UHIP provides minimal out-of-country for emergency medical expenses. A medical emergency is
an acute injury or illness. It poses an immediate risk to a person's life or long -term health. This
may not be enough to cover your medical expenses. You are strongly recommended to purchase
additional private insurance to cover significant out-of-pocket expenses.
For more information about UHIP, please consult https://uhip.ca/Enrollment/PlanDetails ,
https://international.uottawa.ca/en/uhip-faq or the International Office uointl@uottawa.ca

16. It’s mentioned on the UHIP website that students’ extended health care plan through
their University may have a provision for out of country. Does uOttawa have anything
like this given current circumstances?
UHIP covers the medical services and treatments in this list. This insurance is administered by the
International Office of the University of Ottawa. The extended health care plans are provided by
the student union or GSAED. The insurance provided by your student association is the equivalent
of private insurance. Undergraduate and graduate students have different supplementary
insurance. You will need to consult your student association's website: GSAED.
For more information about UHIP, please consult https://uhip.ca/Enrollment/PlanDetails ,
https://international.uottawa.ca/en/uhip-faq or the International Office uointl@uottawa.ca

17. How do I apply for PGWP?

PGWP Eligibility: For information on PGWP eligibility, you can visit the PGWP Eligibility webpage.

Application Timelines: If you want to remain in Canada after the end of your studies you must
apply to extend your status as visitor, student or worker.

Your study permit becomes invalid after 90 days of receiving a written confirmation that you have
officially completed your program. This written confirmation can be an email from your Faculty,
a Diploma, an Official Final Transcript or an Official Letter confirming Completion of Studies.
Please consult the Important Academic Dates and Deadlines webpage to determine when your
final grades and academic standing will be available.

To apply for a PGWP from inside Canada you must:

1. Have a valid status in Canada (visitor, student or worker)

2. Your study permit must be valid or must have expired in less than 180 days.
3. If you have lost your status, you must apply for a restoration of status in addition to the
PGWP.
If you leave Canada right after the end of your studies, you can apply for a PGWP from outside
Canada if:

1. You are applying within 180 days of receiving a written confirmation that you have
officially completed your program, and
2. Your study permit is valid or was valid at some point during these 180 days.

Application Process: You can apply online using your account. It is also possible to apply from
inside Canada or from outside Canada, and there is an instruction guide available for each option.

Information session: We recently held an online information session on How to apply for a Post-
Graduation Work Permit which was recorded. We recommend that you consult it as it explains
all of the steps and documents required in great detail. You can view the schedule of our next
upcoming live sessions on our Facebook page.

PGWP length and documents to apply: According to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC), the validity period of the post-graduation work permit is determined based on
the length of the program or programs of study. In order to apply for your PGWP you will need:

 an official letter that confirms you’ve completed your study program (graduate students
may obtain this letter from InfoService)
 an official transcript, or a copy of your transcript accessible through
your uoZone account

When assessing your application, the immigration officer will determine the length based on the
completion letter provided by uOttawa and your final transcripts. The wording that will be used
to describe the duration of your program of study in the letter of completion issued by the
University will be the same wording that is used to describe your program in its official
description. You may consult the official duration of your program by visiting the University
Programs and courses website and clicking on your program of study. The duration can then be
found on either the “Overview” tab or the “Program Requirements” tab. You may read more
about how the length of a permit is determined on the IRCC website. There is no guarantee of
how long the work permit will be as each immigration officer uses his or her discretion to assess
the application.

Please note that the validity period of the PGWP may not go beyond the applicant’s passport
validity date. PGWPs can be extended only when the length of the permit could not be provided
at the time of the application, due to the expiry date of the applicant’s passport.

Flag poling: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has also confirmed that traveling to the
border for the sole purpose of processing immigration documents is not considered  non-
optional/non-discretionary travel. If you are currently in Canada, do not visit a land border
(flagpole) to apply for immigration documents until further notice.
Work authorization: You are eligible to work full-time after you have submitted your application
if you meet the conditions listed on IRCC’s website. This section of the Immigration and Refugee
Protection Regulations confirm the right to work without a permit until a decision is made on
your application.

For more information on immigration-related questions, please check the Immigration FAQ or
contact the International Office: uointl@uOttawa.ca.We also invite you to participate in
the weekly virtual "SOS immigration" sessions if you have any immigration-related questions.