COVID-19 (coronavirus) international student supports

There are many factors to consider before you travel to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please read through the following information carefully and contact the student arrival coordinator to discuss your individual situation if you require further information.

If you are an international student who is exempt from the current travel restrictions, this does not guarantee you entry into Canada as you must still demonstrate that you are travelling to Canada for an essential purpose. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has outlined important information to review before making a final decision to leave your home country.

Please note that it is your responsibility to determine if you are a) exempt from the current travel restrictions to Canada and b) are travelling to Canada for an essential purpose before you depart from your home country. 

If you meet the aforementioned requirements to travel to Canada, there are some important resources for you to review to help you prepare for your arrival in Canada so you know what to expect when you land at the port of entry:

• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) contact 
• CBSA: COVID-19: Information for non-Canadians
• CBSA Facebook page (updated regularly)
• CBSA Twitter account (updated regularly)
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Public health measure for travellers to Canada

Important note: As of November 21, 2020, travellers coming to Canada by air will be required to use the ArriveCAN before they board their flight. They will need to provide travel and contact information, a quarantine plan, and a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment. Travellers will need to be ready to show their ArriveCAN receipt when seeking entry into Canada. Travellers will also be required to confirm within 48 hours that they have arrived at their place of quarantine or isolation and those in quarantine must complete a daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment during their quarantine period. They will be able to submit information through the ArriveCAN app or by calling a toll-free number (1-833-641-0343). You can read more information about these new requirements on this website.

Starting January 7, 2021: Air travellers 5 years of age or older will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result to the airline prior to boarding international flights bound for Canada. See the news release for air travellers.

Upon arrival in Canada, you will meet with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the Port of Entry (POE) who will determine if you are coming to Canada for an essential purpose.

• Please note that the Winter and Summer 2021 Terms at the University of Manitoba will be delivered remotely, with the exception of a very small number of courses that require in-person delivery. It is important that you confirm if there will be any in-person requirements for the courses that you register for in the Winter and Summer 2021 Terms. 
• You will need to have a detailed and confirmed plan regarding how you will be able to meet the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon your arrival in Winnipeg, even if you don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19.

Upon arrival in Canada, you will meet with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the Port of Entry (POE), who will determine if you are coming to Canada for an essential purpose.

• Please note that the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 Terms at the University of Manitoba will be delivered remotely, with the exception of a very small number of courses that require in-person delivery.
• You will need to have a detailed and confirmed plan regarding how you will be able to meet the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon your arrival in Winnipeg, even if you don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19. 
• Travellers must be ready to show their ArriveCAN receipt when seeking entry into Canada; a border services officer will verify that they have submitted their information digitally. Travellers who do not submit the required information digitally before boarding their flight could be subject to enforcement action, which can range from verbal warnings to $1,000 fine. Exceptions will be made for those unable to submit documents electronically due to personal circumstances, such as disability or inadequate infrastructure

It is also important to review the general information that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has on its website to help international students prepare for their arrival in Canada.

Quarantine: 

As of June 23, current directives from the Government of Canada indicate that, if you are allowed to enter Canada, all international travelers are subject to a mandatory quarantine for 14 days, even if you have no symptoms of COVID-19.

You will have needed to confirm an adequate place to quarantine. Please contact the student arrival coordinator to discuss your plan.

• This means that after your arrival in Winnipeg, you must immediately go to the housing that you have arranged. You are not permitted to leave the accommodations where you are quarantining for the full 14 days, which means that you cannot leave to go buy groceries or other supplies, set up a bank account, get your cell phone set up, etc.
• Violating any instructions provided to you when you entered Canada could lead to up to 6 months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.
• After your period of mandatory quarantine, you would be permitted to leave your house, while maintaining social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the virus. 
• For information specific to Manitoba, please visit the Government of Manitoba website.

Housing:

You need to know the exact address and location of where you will be in quarantine prior to your arrival in Canada. Options to consider:

Temporary accommodation/hotel/hostel/Airbnb:

• The University has negotiated a reduced rate at a local hotel; please contact the student arrival coordinator for more information if you are interested.
• Keep in mind that you will need to arrange your permanent accommodation after you are done with your quarantine. You should plan to stay in these temporary accommodations while you are arranging permanent accommodation. This could take upward of two to three weeks.
• Many hotels and Airbnb locations may not meet the requirements for individuals who need to quarantine. Before booking any of these accommodations, you must ensure that they meet the government standards for COVID-19 quarantine.

Staying with a friend:

• Do you have a designated space where you can limit your contact with the other guests of the house? (i.e., separate bedroom, living space/kitchen if needed and washroom)
• Please review this factsheet prepared by the Government of Manitoba for detailed information and considerations for individuals that are required to quarantine in a shared space.  

Rental apartment or house:

• This is often difficult to arrange prior to arrival in Canada.
• Is the space furnished and stocked with essential items that you will need? If not, you need to have a plan for how you will get the essential items that you need for the full 14 days of your quarantine. 
• It might be difficult to visit and view rental properties in Winnipeg due to social-distancing measures that are being strictly enforced. 

Health insurance:

What to do if you get sick? If you travel to Canada and are not able to register for a minimum of one (1) course in the Fall 2020 Term, then you will not have health insurance from September 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. Similarly, if you aren’t able to register for a minimum of one (1) course in the Winter 2021 Term, then you will not have health insurance from January 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021 (unless you register in courses for the Summer 2021 term, in which case you will have coverage from May 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021).

• It is mandatory for international students in Manitoba to have primary health coverage. For more information about the Manitoba International Student Health Plan (MISHP), visit the UM International Centre’s health insurance page.
• All eligible international students are covered by MISHP. Therefore, if you are required to be tested for COVID-19 in approved testing sites, the medical expenses incurred for testing will be covered under your plan. For more information, visit mishp.ca 
• Please note that newly enrolled international students are covered on an emergency basis for up to one (1) calendar month prior to the start of their first academic term. During this period, medical treatment and testing for COVID-19 will only be covered if symptoms began after departure from your home country.
• If you are still considering travelling to Canada to start your program, we strongly encourage you to look into purchasing travel insurance from your home country that would cover you until the start of classes. We also recommend you confirm with the insurance provider if they would cover you for any medical costs you may incur related to COVID-19. Not all insurance providers would cover these costs. 

Banking and access to money:

Do you have a credit card that will be accepted at local stores and online shopping websites to ensure you are able to order the things you require?

• Commonly used credit cards include Mastercard, Visa and American Express (however, American Express is not always accepted). In addition, some credit cards may not be compatible with Canadian stores online, so please check with your local banking institution.

You will be required to order items online or for delivery, such as food, supplies, housewares, hygiene products or medicine as required.

Keep in mind you will not have the ability to visit a local bank and set up an account while you are self-isolating. International students are required to appear in person to set up a bank account for the first time.

• Does your budget allow for the increase in expenses that will be expected during your time in self-isolation?
• Will the funds you bring be able to accommodate any additional costs that come up?

Cell phone and Wi-Fi:

During your 14-day quarantine period, you will not be able to leave your accommodations to set up your cell phone with a Canadian carrier or purchase a new cell phone, if needed.

• Do you have a cell phone plan (data coverage, long-distance calling, text messaging features) that will last during your self-isolation period before you are able to switch to a local carrier?

Similarly, if your accommodations do not already have Wi-Fi or internet access, then you will not be able to arrange for internet to be connected and activated in the location where you will be quarantining.

• Do you have access to Wi-Fi? This is critically important if you are planning to start online classes. It might be very difficult, if not impossible, to arrange for internet, phone and Wi-Fi services to be installed and set-up during your self-isolation.

Support:

Having to undergo a 14-day quarantine period will be very challenging, especially if you are moving to a new city and country.

• Do you have any local supports in Winnipeg already?
• Do you have friends or family to check in on you, or drop off things you may need?

Though we are not physically located on campus, UM continues to provide many supports, programs and resources for students. Visit the COVID-19 student information page for details. 

Please note: While UM can provide support by sharing electronic information and resources to help you arrange your own accommodations, transportation, options for grocery delivery, etc., we are not able to provide in-person assistance or confirm such arrangements for you.

Please contact an advisor at the International Centre to discuss your individual situation if you require further information. Email international@umanitoba.ca with your name and student number to be connected with an advisor.