COVID-19 Information for University of Toronto Students

The University is committed to helping you maintain academic continuity. Your academic units can provide options to help resolve any concerns regarding transfer credits, academics, etc. If you have questions, undergraduate students should contact their registrar, and graduate students should contact their program.

• St. George Campus Health & Wellness Centre: 416-978-8030
• UTM Health & Counselling Centre: 905-828-5255
• UTSC Health & Wellness Centre: 416-287-7065

U of T My Student Support Program (U of T MySSP) provides University of Toronto students with immediate and/or ongoing confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health, or general life concern at no cost to students. You can call or chat with a counsellor directly from your phone whenever, wherever you are, to address a range of concerns.

Download the MySSP app: Apple App Store | Google Play and keep reading so that you understand what to expect.

You can also access the service 24/7 by calling 1-844-451-9700. Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578.

Navi is a Student Mental Health Virtual Agent to help students navigate mental health supports at the University of Toronto. Navi is an anonymous tool providing information on 48 broad topics related to mental health including: stress, anxiety, loneliness, harassment, discrimination, bullying, academics, career, sleep issues, accessibility, coping techniques, abuse, eating disorders, how to get involved, health care access, and more.

You can access Navi here.

Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Phone: 1-866-797-0000 or TTY: 1-866-797-0007

Toronto Public Health Hotline

8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Translation is available in multiple languages.

Telephone: 416-338-7600
TTY: 416-392-0658
Email: PublicHealth@toronto.ca

Peel Public Health

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Telephone: 905-799-7700

Information and the availability of vaccines is dependent on a variety of factors.In Canada, the vaccination framework is a provincial responsibility. If you are in Ontario, visit the Ontario Vaccine Appointment site to check your eligibility. The eligibility information changes often so please check this site regularly

We will follow the guidance of the province when it comes to health and safety requirements, and will provide updated information on the UTogether website when we receive it.

Please see the Government of Canada’s “What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for Canada”.

The University has created resources for student preparing to come to campus. These include a video on what to expect when you’re on campus, and a roadmap for a safe U of T experience. All students should monitor their health and complete a self-assessment, such as UCheck before they arrive on campus. 

Due to recent provincial and local measures, all indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities are closed, and no in-person programs/events/workshops are being held.

However, student services, events, and workshops are still offered online, so you can connect to fantastic content and helpful resources from anywhere.

• St. George Student Life
• UTM Student Services
• UTSC Student Services
• Hart House
• KPE

A dedicated U of T Libraries student support page shows you how to chat with a librarian, do research, find old exams and more.

If you are absent from class for any reason (e.g., COVID, other illness or injury, family situation) and need consideration for missed academic work, report your absence through the online absence declaration. The declaration is available on ACORN under the Profile and Settings menu. Advise your instructor of your absence also.

Resources & supports
If you or someone you know is in distress and at immediate risk, call 911.

This list includes supports available to students on all three campuses:

• U of T St. George (Downtown Toronto)
• U of T Scarborough
• U of T Mississauga

Additionally, students have access to U of T My Student Support Program (My SSP) | 1-844-451-9700. Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578.

Culturally-competent mental health and counseling services are available in 146 languages for all U of T students.

Further supports for students may be found on the Mental Health Portal.

Accessibility Services continues to provide support for students and their instructors to deliver academic accommodations. Information on accessibility-related COVID-19 updates and academic accommodations can be found at each home campus accessibility services offices (UTM, UTSC, St. George).

Instructors should continue to work with the offices (listed below) on their campus on implementing final exam and assessment accommodations:

• • UTM Accessibility Services 
  • UTSG Accommodated Testing Services 
  • UTSC Registrar’s Office 

The University of Toronto, has outlined the minimum technical requirements (computer specifications), recommended accessories, internet connection and frequently asked questions about learning remotely.

If you can’t afford the recommended technology, please contact your college or divisional registrar, or the School of Graduate Studies (for graduate students), for information about financial support. Grants or bursaries may be available for students requiring financial assistance.

See U of T News story for Six remote learning tips for U of T Students.

Yes. You can authenticate your TCard/UTORid and get your U of T email address before arriving. You can make an appointment with TCard Services as early as April 1 for summer classes, May 1 for fall. Having these tools will make it easier for you to connect with U of T and access resources like email (UTmail+), course content on Quercus, webinars, library resources, Microsoft365 applications, network services for international students, WiFi once on campus, and more. For full information, visit U of T TCard You can pick up your physical T-Card when you arrive on campus.

We are optimistically planning for in-person learning and on-campus activity for fall 2021, as permitted by public health guidelines. Faculties and divisions are now planning for a safe return to in-person learning, and more information will be available in the coming weeks and months on Faculty sites. 

For the Summer 2021 sessions, there are no changes to planned tuition fees. For the summer term, all academic programs continue through alternative delivery modes and some include in-person components where possible, in accordance with public health, government, and university guidelines. Students will receive academic credit for their courses. In some cases, ancillary fees have been reduced or eliminated. 

Some incidental fees (student services and student societies, have been reduced). Please see additional information below. 

We encourage students who are facing financial hardship to visit this Funding Opportunity Directory. Undergraduate students can also contact their college or divisional registrar to apply for emergency bursaries, and graduate students can contact the School of Graduate. 

We encourage students who are facing financial hardship to visit this Funding Opportunity Directory. Undergraduate students can also contact their college or divisional registrar to apply for emergency bursaries, and graduate students can contact the School of Graduate .

Student service fees (including fees for Student Life, Hart House and athletics & recreation) were reduced for Fall 2020 and Winter 2021.  Summer 2021 fees have also been reduced as noted below. The services offered at each campus and the incidental fees charged vary by campus. The fees charged reflect the local needs and costs of the various campuses and any special programs within them. Most programming and services continue on-line or through video calls, phone calls, and other means. In-person services are also offered  depending on local conditions in accordance with public health, government, and university guidelines. 

Fee reductions apply to all students that are registered and are specific to the campus at which you are registered. 

St. George: KPE Sports & Rec fee is reduced by 30%.; Hart House fee is reduced by 20%; Student Life fee is reduced by 10%. 

UTM: UTM Athletics fee is reduced by 30%. KPE Sports & Rec fee is reduced by 30%; Hart House fee is reduced by 20%; Student Services fee is reduced by 38% (reduction includes the fee for the shuttle service’s suspension). 

UTSC: UTSC Athletics & Recreation fee is reduced by 30%; KPE Sports & Rec fee is reduced by 30%; Hart House fee is reduced by 20%; Student Services fee is reduced by 25%. 

Some student societies have also reduced their fees. Please check your invoice and with the society directly for additional information. 

Given these uncertain times, the student services have closely considered their programs and services and have made reductions as follows: 

Athletics: When permitted by public health authorities, athletics and recreation programs, facilities and services run by KPE Sport & Rec, UTM Athletics, UTSC Athletics and Hart House will be available, depending on local conditions,  for in-person offerings as permitted. Please consult the websites for the most up-to-date status as conditions may change based on public health directives. An abundance of online options for physical activity, recreation and wellness continue throughout the summer term. 

Hart House: When and as permitted by public health regulations and guidelines, Hart House and the Hart House Farm will be open for limited, pre-registered use by students of all three UofT campuses. Meanwhile, a wide array of both synchronous and asynchronous online student programming focused on the arts, dialogue, wellness and community engagement is offered. 

Student Services: All three campus Student Services have waived (St. George) or reduced (UTM and UTSC) the cost of space provided for student services and organizations. Some spaces may be available for students with appropriate physical distancing in place. 

UTM student services have also waived the fee for the shuttle service while it is suspended.

UTSC has also reduced some fees related to space costs, such as space for athletic clubs. 

Information regarding incidental fees is included in the student account information available through the Student Web Service. The University of Toronto charges and posts separate compulsory non-tuition fees to be transparent about the fees students pay, so that students are aware of services and organizations for which they are charged. The reductions in Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 fees have already been applied to invoices. Summer 2021 reductions will be reflected on your invoice. 

Fees charged for student and campus services provided by the University and its student societies are established on the understanding that all students will contribute to the cost of these services. This is the only way to calculate fair and equitable fees to support the services and programs that all universities offer. These fees are assessed as a function of a student’s academic registration in a program. Student services fees are not refundable and include both campus-specific and university services such as health and counselling departments, academic support, career centres, Hart House, and athletics and recreation services.

The U-Pass service, offering unlimited fare-free rides on MiWay (Mississauga Transit), is typically charged and available to all currently enrolled UTM undergraduate students and UTM-affiliated graduate students (excluding those in the MMPA and MFAcc programs). The U-Pass program is being reassessed for each term in light of pandemic conditions by the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union, the University of Toronto Mississauga Association for Graduate Students and MiWay. If the U-Pass service is significantly modified or suspended for a term or academic year (as occurred during the 2020-2021 academic year and summer 2021), students’ accounts will be adjusted appropriately. 

MiWay, Brampton Transit, Oakville Transit, GO Transit and the Toronto Transit Commission typically offer discounts for regular riders (such as weekly or monthly passes) and have sustained services throughout the pandemic. 

The UTM shuttle services to/from the St. George campus and Sheridan College are being reassessed each term in light of conditions created by the pandemic. If the shuttle service is suspended for the term or academic year (as occurred during the 2020-2021 academic year and summer 2021), students’ accounts will be adjusted appropriately.

Most graduate students at UTM are precharged the summer shuttle fee in the preceding fall and winter terms. A retroactive adjustment is made if a precharged service is not available.

The Government of Canada has outlined the requirements for Mandatory Quarantine for Travelers to Canada. To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Federal Government has put in place an emergency order under the Quarantine Act. This applies to all travellers to Canada regardless of the country of origin. Failure to comply with this order is an offence under the Quarantine Act and may lead to significant fines or imprisonment.

As part of our caring community approach, U of T is offering spaces for students to fulfill the mandatory quarantine requirements and support students’ health and safety. If you are quarantining in your own space off campus, register with the U of T Quarantine “At-Home” Program through StarRez.

Students must download the ArriveCAN app (iOS or Android) and provide the information two days ahead of their flight; students must provide information including their mandatory quarantine details.

The University has arranged for mandatory quarantine spaces for new and returning students who need to self-isolate after arriving in Canada. Transportation will be provided from Toronto Pearson Airport to your designated quarantine location. The University will provide students with self-isolation protocols, aligned with relevant government guidance, which students will be required to sign off. Students will be provided with hand soap and sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, masks, and other supplies as needed. Food will be delivered (3 meals per day) Students must remain in their rooms for the quarantine period and not have any guests during this time.

Students will be connected with their home division and provided with information about online activities and events that they can access during their quarantine period. Staff will also provide COVID-19 physical health check-ins, including a virtual daily check-in coordinated by a nurse from a U of T student health centre. The Ontario government requires students arriving for mandatory quarantine to be tested for COVID-19 during their quarantine period.

Yes, the University will facilitate access to quarantine space for students who will not be residing in residence but require a location to quarantine, per the Federal Government’s requirements. Please register and confirm the dates of availability of the U of T quarantine space before finalizing travel plans.

With some limited exceptions, the University is covering the costs for students in the U of T mandatory full quarantine accommodation program. A cancellation fee of $350 will be charged if registration is not cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the stated arrival time. Students who are turned away at point of entry will not be charged a cancellation fee.

Students who are moving to Canada with a spouse/children will need to cover the costs of their dependent family members needing the quarantine space. Please contact info.quarantine@utoronto.ca for more information about this.

If the quarantine period is completed before the student’s residence move-in date, students may need to pay a fee if they choose to remain at the quarantine location (subject to availability) until they are able to move into residence. Students must confirm the availability of space by contacting info.quarantine@utoronto.ca.

The cost for the federal government program is to be covered by you; however, the University has emergency bursaries available if you are unable to pay. If you are an undergraduate student, please apply via the UofT Grant Application Portal. Graduate students can refer to the SGS Emergency Grant webpage. Please indicate on the form that you are applying for reimbursement costs incurred due to mandatory quarantine requirements. Please submit your receipts, as well. 

With limited exceptions, the University will cover the costs of the U of T mandatory quarantine accommodation if you have not previously completed a required quarantine in the full U of T program. However, if you are required to quarantine again at a later date (e.g. if you leave and return to Canada), you must cover the cost of the additional quarantine(s) yourself. If you need financial assistance with the costs of quarantine, please apply for financial assistance.

If you are quarantining in your own space, register with the Non-U of T Quarantine “At-Home” Program through StarRez.

To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada has put in place an emergency order under the Quarantine Act and outlined the requirements for Mandatory Quarantine for Travellers to Canada. This applies to all travellers to Canada without exception. Details on what is required under this act can be found from the Canadian Government Covid 19 page.

You will receive a health check, connections with your academic division for information on programming and orientation and other downloadable resources during your quarantine.

If you need financial assistance to help with quarantine costs you can apply to the U of T Undergraduate Emergency Grant or the School of Graduate Studies Emergency Grant Program.

An application form is available at starrez.utoronto.ca (students will need to login using their JOIN/UTORid).

Unfortunately, the University cannot provide self-isolation facilities for accompanying family members who are helping a student move to Toronto. There are many hotels close to U of T’s campuses where accompanying family members should be able to book space. While your immediate family members (spouse or common-law partner, dependent child parent or step-parent and guardian or tutor) may be able to come with you to Canada they must show that their reasons for travel are non-discretionary (non-optional). For example, that they will help you get established and support you in Canada. The decision about whether their entry is non-discretionary will be made by the Border Services Officer. If their entry is considered non-discretionary, they must also have a plan to quarantine. If those accompanying you cannot remain in Canada for the self-isolation period, at this point they will not be permitted to enter.

Parents (foreign nationals/US citizens) who wish to accompany their student(s) to campus will not be permitted to enter Canada from the United States unless the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) deems your trip to be essential. We strongly encourage individuals to contact CBSA before attempting to cross the border to come to campus. Also, at this time anyone entering Canada will have to plan to remain in Canada for the isolation that the Federal Government has outlined in the requirements for Mandatory Quarantine for Travellers to Canada.

Bring at least 14-days of any medication you will need during the quarantine period. Keep all medication and key documents with you in your carry-on bag. You will be going from the airport to the quarantine location, so you will need to keep all your checked luggage with you.

If a student living off-campus must self-isolate and cannot do so where they are living, the University may have self-isolation/quarantine accommodation available at cost. This would include a room with private washroom, three meals delivered daily, regular health checks, and residence life support and programming. Spaces are limited, so please contact info.quarantine@utoronto.ca.

Students will be required to sign self-isolation protocols aligned with relevant government guidance and remain in their rooms for the self-isolation period. Guests will not be allowed during this time.

Please review our resource sheet on Self-Isolation/Quarantine Accommodation Options for additional possibilities, or consider the Toronto Voluntary Isolation Centre or the Peel Voluntary Isolation Centre

If you are need financial assistance to help with the costs of self-isolation/quarantine, you can apply to the U of T Undergraduate Emergency Grant or the School of Graduate Studies Emergency Grant Program.

If you are arriving from outside Canada, a quarantine period is required. The Government of Canada has outlined the requirements for Mandatory Quarantine for Travellers to Canada. Travellers arriving by air must first stay at a Government of Canada approved hotel near the airport while they wait for the results of a mandatory COVID-19 test taken upon arrival. To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Federal Government has put in place an emergency order under the Quarantine Act. This applies to all travellers to Canada regardless of the country of origin. Failure to comply with this order is an offence under the Quarantine Act and may lead to significant fines or imprisonment.

The University will facilitate access to quarantine accommodations to IVGS students at cost.

To apply, as an IVGS student, and receive more information regarding the quarantine accommodations (such as costs & services provided), please contact info.quarantine@utoronto.ca.

If you are arriving from outside Canada, a quarantine period is required. The Government of Canada has outlined the requirements for Mandatory Quarantine for Travelers to Canada. Travellers arriving by air must first stay at a Government of Canada approved hotel near the airport while they wait for the results of a mandatory COVID-19 test taken upon arrival. To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Federal Government has put in place an emergency order under the Quarantine Act. This applies to all travellers to Canada regardless of the country of origin. Failure to comply with this order is an offence under the Quarantine Act and may lead to significant fines or imprisonment.

The University can provide you with resources to complete your quarantine including lists of hotels and food delivery services. Please contact info.quarantine@utoronto.ca for more information.

We’ve implemented measures to ensure safe access to residence amenities and spaces. This includes enhanced cleaning, additional signage, limiting capacity, requiring masks and spacing of furniture. We may be required to limit access to these spaces per public health guidelines and will be working closely with our residence communities if this does occur.

Our residence staff members are working hard to ensure students feel connected, engaged and academically supported in their residence communities through fun, virtual events and, where possible in compliance with public health directives, small in-person activities.

Additionally, student services, events and workshops continue to be offered online, so you are able to connect from anywhere.

• St. George Student Life
• UTM Student Services
• UTSC Student Services
• Hart House
• KPE

Students in residences must comply with the Ontario government’s regulations limiting the size of social gatherings. They are made aware of these regulations through regular communications and signs in common spaces. When gathering limits are exceeded, students are reminded of this information and asked to reduce the gathering size to meet these limits.

Yes, we’re planning to have students in residence this fall. We know that for many students, residence is an important university experience which we continue to maintain. The health and safety of those staying in our residences is a top priority and consequently some services may be adjusted based on public health guidelines.

The health and safety of the U of T community is our top priority. The University is looking toward Fall 2021 with optimism, and we are hopeful that public health conditions will allow us to house all eligible first-year students. However, provincial health regulations continue to guide our work and will determine the total number of spaces in residence as well as our ability to honour the first-year residence guarantee.

International students meeting the conditions listed below will be able to come to Canada regardless of the date of issue of their study permit, approval letter, or the country from which they are travelling.

• Have a valid study permit or study permit approval letter (“port of entry letter of introduction”) issued by Immigration Canada. An “approval in principle” is not enough. Students who have received approval in principle/stage 1 pre-approval, must still wait for a final decision regarding their study permit application.
• Have either an eTA or TRV (“entry visa”) if applicable, along with their passport. USA citizens are exempt from the eTA/TRV requirement.
• Have submitted information including travel and contact information, quarantine plan and COVID-19 symptom self-assessment to the Government of Canada. Download the Government of Canada’s ArriveCAN app (iOS or Android) or use their accessible web app to submit the mandatory information required for entry into Canada. Please note that exceptions will be made for those unable to submit documents electronically due to personal circumstances, such as disability or inadequate infrastructure.
• Show evidence of registration at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) (such as U of T) which has a formally approved COVID-19 readiness plan. The University of Toronto including all campuses and colleges is an approved DLI. It is strongly recommended that you bring an updated confirmation of enrolment letter to support your entry to Canada. Arts & Science students can download this directly from ACORN, while others can request this from their registrar’s office. Graduate students can request an updated confirmation of enrolment (also referred to as confirmation of registration) SGS.
• Show proof that you have enough funds to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada. We recommend that you use up-to-date versions of the financial documents that supported your study permit application. If you have paid tuition or other fees to the university, you can get a receipt from your registrar’s office.
• Must register for a U of T quarantine program . If travelling by air, you must go to a Government of Canada designated hotel to await the results of your arrival test.
• You must submit information to the Government of Canada through either the ArriveCAN app (iOS or Android) or by calling 1-833-641-0343 toll-free. You must confirm you have arrived at your place of quarantine within 48 hours and complete a daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment during your quarantine period. Travellers who do not submit the mandatory information required after they have entered the country will be considered a high priority for follow up by law enforcement.
• If you have been outside of Canada for 6 months or longer within the past 12 months, you may be required to have a new medical exam. Please refer to FAQ #2 below for further details.

Students meeting these requirements are considered to have a non-discretionary reason to enter Canada.

Dependents who are coming to live with the international student in Canada are also considered to have a non-discretionary reason for travel; however, short-term visitors to Canada are still not permitted to enter for the foreseeable future.

For more details visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/students.html#exemptions.

If you have further questions about your right to enter Canada after reviewing the information above, each campus has a team of advisors that can answer your questions.

Mississauga        international.utm@utoronto.ca
Scarborough      isc.utsc@utoronto.ca
St. George          isa.cie@utoronto.ca

In addition to ensuring you have all the required entry to Canada documents (See Question 1), students who have been outside of Canada for 6 months or longer may be required to show evidence that they have completed a valid Immigration Medical Exam. You may be required to do so if you: 

• Have been in a designated country for at least 6 of the past 12 months;
• OR , regardless of the country where you have been living, are:
  • A medical student; 
  • A student in a health sciences field who will have work placements in health-care or home-care settings;
  • An education student who will have work placements in primary or secondary schools; or teaching small children.

To check whether you need a valid Immigration Medical Exam and for more information on how to book a Medical Exam, please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website. 

Before applying for a study permit, we recommend that you register for one of the webinars offered by our International Student Immigration Advisors for advice on first-time study permit applicants. As a newly admitted student you can use your U of T JOINid to register for a webinar. Our International Centres at each campus are offering webinars for newly admitted students. Follow the links below:

• University of Toronto St. George Campus - Visit the website of our Centre for International Experience for detailed information about the application process and local resources for St. George.
• University of Toronto Mississauga Campus - Visit the website of the International Education Centre for detailed information about the application process and local resources for UTM.
• University of Toronto Scarborough Campus – Visit the website of the International Student Centre for detailed information about the application process and local resources for UTSC.

Non-essential travel between Canada and the USA is currently suspended. Travelling to the US-Canada border to apply for a work or study permit is considered non-essential travel and you’ll be turned away from the border if you attempt to do so.

Your study permit grants you legal status in Canada and controls what you can do and for how long. A temporary resident visa (TRV), or electronic travel authorization (eTA), is what allows you to enter Canada, depending on your citizenship. Make sure your study permit doesn’t expire while you’re still studying whether you’re in Canada or away temporarily.

Check the expiry date right now. The best thing to do is apply for a study permit extension several months before the expiry date. Learn how to apply by attending one of the CIE “apply online” webinars. Your temporary resident visa (TRV), or electronic travel authorization (eTA), may expire while you’re in Canada, but you must have a valid one for re-entry. Once a study permit has been extended, students from visa-required countries may then apply for a TRV to match their study permit’s new expiry in a separate application.

Yes. You can authenticate your TCard/UTORid and get your U of T email address before arriving. You can make an appointment with TCard Services as early as April 1 for summer classes, May 1 for fall. Having these tools will make it easier for you to connect with U of T and access resources like email (UTmail+), course content on Quercus, webinars, library resources, Microsoft365 applications, network services for international students, WiFi once on campus, and more. For full information, visit U of T TCard You can pick up your physical T-Card when you arrive on campus.

Final approval can only be granted when all required documents have been assessed by an Immigration Officer. The approval-in-principle does not guarantee a final approval. Meanwhile, online studies can continue from outside Canada without a study permit.

If you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and plan to study in Canada for more than six months you will have to apply for a study permit. Apply for your study permit online as soon as you get your letter of acceptance.

Before applying for a study permit, we recommend that you register for one of the webinars offered by our International Student Immigration Advisors for advice on first-time study permit applicants. As a newly admitted student you can use your U of T JOINid to register for a webinar. Our International Centres at each campus are offering webinars for newly admitted students. Follow the links below:

• University of Toronto St. George Campus - Visit the website of our Centre for International Experience for detailed information about the application process and local resources for St. George. 
• University of Toronto Mississauga Campus - Visit the website of the International Education Centre for detailed information about the application process and local resources for UTM. 
• University of Toronto Scarborough Campus – Visit the website of the International Student Centre for detailed information about the application process and local resources for UTSC.

NOTE: The Government of Canada has updated information on its website for international students, indicating that study permit applications completed by May 15, 2021 will be processed by August 6, 2021. In addition, IRCC has also updated study permit processing times for study permit applications submitted outside of Canada to 10 weeks.  Applications submitted after May 15 may therefore still receive a decision prior to the start of the fall semester.  Students from China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, and Vietnam are also eligible to use the Student Direct Stream (SDS).

Students can direct questions to the University’s immigration advisors:

U of T Mississauga –international.utm@utoronto.ca
U of T Scarborough –isc.utsc@utoronto.ca
U of T St. George – isa.cie@utoronto.ca

Academic and administrative leaders across our three campuses are now preparing for a gradual and safe return to in-person activities for the Fall 2021 term. We will continue to follow public health guidance closely in order to protect the health and safety of all members of the University community. Our planning will also accommodate the local circumstances and particular needs of each of our campuses, divisions and programs. Please see President Meric Gertler’s message regarding Fall 2021.

Please apply for a study permit as soon as possible so you will be ready to come to campus when you are able.

International students meeting the conditions listed below will be able to come to Canada regardless of the date of issue of their study permit, approval letter, or the country from which they are travelling.

As of Feb 22, 2021, there are new quarantine and COVID-19 testing requirements that must be met in order to enter Canada by air or by land. Please review carefully before making your travel plans to ensure you have the appropriate COVID-19 test showing a negative result within 72 hrs before arriving in Canada as well as the appropriate quarantine plan. Please review the Information on Quarantine Accommodation for full quarantine and testing requirements. 

In addition, all of the following requirements must be met:

• Have a valid study permit or study permit approval letter (“port of entry letter of introduction”) issued by Immigration Canada. An “approval in principle” is not enough. Students who have received approval in principle/stage 1 pre-approval, must still wait for a final decision regarding their study permit application.
• Have either an eTA or TRV (“entry visa”) if applicable, along with their passport. USA citizens are exempt from the eTA/TRV requirement.
• Have submitted information including travel and contact information, quarantine plan and COVID-19 symptom self-assessment to the Government of Canada. Download the Government of Canada’s ArriveCAN app (iOS or Android) or use their accessible web app to submit the mandatory information required for entry into Canada. After November 21st this will be required for all air travellers arriving to Canada prior to boarding their flight. Please note that exceptions will be made for those unable to submit documents electronically due to personal circumstances, such as disability or inadequate infrastructure.   
• Show evidence of registration at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) (such as U of T) which has a formally approved COVID-19 readiness plan. The University of Toronto including all campuses and colleges is an approved DLI.  It is strongly recommended that you bring an updated confirmation of enrolment letter to support your entry to Canada. Arts & Science students can download this directly from ACORN, while others can request this from their registrar’s office. Graduate students can request an updated confirmation of enrolment (also referred to as confirmation of registration) SGS.  
• Show proof that you have enough funds to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada. We recommend that you use up-to-date versions of the financial documents that supported your study permit application. If you have paid tuition or other fees to the university, you can get a receipt from your registrar’s office.  
• Must register for a U of T quarantine program which can be completed at a U of T designated space, or in their own appropriate non-UofT space.  
• You must submit information to the Government of Canada through either the ArriveCAN app (iOS or Android) or by calling 1-833-641-0343 toll-free. You must confirm you have arrived at your place of quarantine within 48 hours and complete a daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment during your quarantine period. Travellers who do not submit the mandatory information required after they have entered the country will be considered a high priority for follow up by law enforcement.      

Students meeting these requirements are considered to have a non-discretionary reason to enter Canada.   

Dependents who are coming to live with the international student in Canada are also considered to have a non-discretionary reason for travel; however, short-term visitors to Canada are still not permitted to enter for the foreseeable future.   

For more details visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/students.html#exemptions.   

If you have further questions about your right to enter Canada after reviewing the information above, each campus has a team of advisors that can answer your questions.   

Mississauga        international.utm@utoronto.ca 
Scarborough      isc.utsc@utoronto.ca 
St. George          isa.cie@utoronto.ca  

You can begin your program through online courses outside Canada, even if your study permit, temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA) has not yet been processed. You should apply for these documents now.

Yes. Anyone studying in Canada whose program is 6 months or longer must have a study permit. Even if your classes are being offered entirely online at this time, you must maintain your study permit as long as you remain in Canada. Check the expiry date of your permit now. The best thing to do is apply for a study permit extension several months before the expiry date. A recording of the info-session explaining the application process is available to current students.

If your permit has expired, and you are still in Canada, please contact an Immigration Advisor as soon as possible to discuss options for getting your status back. 

Mississauga        international.utm@utoronto.ca
Scarborough     isc.utsc@utoronto.ca
St. George       isa.cie@utoronto.ca

Online studies can continue from outside Canada without a study permit. You can continue to study while you work on your response to the refusal. You can also speak with an immigration advisor for your campus about your options.

Apply for a study permit as soon as possible so you will be ready to join in-person classes when you are able.

All students are encouraged, if possible, to avoid international travel right now because it may be difficult to re-enter Canada, as pandemic circumstances change frequently. If you do need to return home, please review your study permit and other immigration documents for the expiry date before you leave the county.

If your study permit and temporary resident visa (TRV), or electronic travel authorization (eTA), are still valid for your planned return to Canada, you’ll have to provide confirmation of enrolment at U of T, proof of sufficient funding for studies in Canada and submit travel and contact information, quarantine plan and COVID-19 symptom self-assessment to the Government of Canada via the ArriveCAN app (iOS or Android) or the accessible web app.

Please note that the University is covering the costs for students’ initial U of T mandatory quarantine accommodation. However, if you are required to quarantine again at a later date (e.g. if you leave and return to Canada), you will be required to cover the cost of the additional quarantine(s). If you need financial assistance to help with the costs of quarantine, please apply for financial assistance.

If your study permit, temporary resident visa (TRV), or electronic travel authorization (eTA), expire before your return to Canada, you will need to replace the expired document(s) before travelling back. Pandemic-related delays make it important to apply as far in advance as possible. You may speak with the international student immigration advisors on your home campus (UTM, UTSC, or St. George) to work out what you need to do in this situation.

If you had a study permit while you were studying and you want to continue studying, you need to extend your study permit.

If you didn’t have a study permit while you were studying, and won’t continue studying, you should extend your stay as a visitor. As a visitor, your legal status usually expires six months from the date you entered Canada.

If you didn’t have a study permit while you were studying and would like to continue studying, you must apply for a study permit. First-time study permit applications can’t always be submitted within Canada. Please book an appointment with an international student immigration advisor to discuss the details of your situation.

There are no changes to UHIP coverage due to COVID-19, but specific questions can be addressed to uhip.information@utoronto.ca. Staff members from the international centres on all three campuses are working remotely and continue to answer questions and support the needs of international students.

UHIP is a basic health insurance plan that allows international students to access health care in Ontario and covers doctor visits, hospitalizations and other services. International students are also registered in supplementary health plans offered by their student unions, found on the UHIP page. Supplementary plans cover prescription medications, corrective lenses, dental care and other medical needs.

If you’re exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and are unsure whether you have UHIP coverage, please follow the advice of public health authorities, take the self-assessment and then contact uhip.information@utoronto.ca. The Government of Ontario has confirmed that COVID-19 treatment will be available for all those currently in Ontario.

If you are studying remotely outside of Canada:

International students studying remotely outside of Canada for the full Winter 2021 term can apply to dis-enroll from UHIP. Guidelines on how to dis-enroll are available on the UHIP page. If you are unable to submit a winter application or your location plans have changed, please email uhip.information@utoronto.ca. 

If you are studying remotely in another Canadian province (not Ontario):

International students studying outside Ontario in another province within Canada are ineligible for UHIP dis-enrolment. UHIP coverage for students studying remotely outside of Ontario, within Canada, is the same for students residing in Ontario as it is for students studying in other provinces and territories in Canada. Please contact uhip.information@utoronto.ca for more information. 

Yes. International students who dis-enroll from UHIP but arrive in Ontario prior to the end of the winter semester are required to re-enroll in UHIP. International students must contact the UHIP office immediately upon their arrival at uhip.information@utoronto.ca. 

If you have active UHIP coverage as an international student, your coverage is not affected by COVID-19.

The provincial government announced in 2020 that it is waiving the three-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage. The province also announced that it will cover the cost of COVID-19 services for uninsured people who don’t meet the criteria for OHIP coverage.

If you are enrolled at U of T as an international student you will be automatically enrolled in UHIP. If you are enrolled at U of T as a Canadian citizen, you will not be automatically enrolled in UHIP. As a Canadian citizen who will be residing in Ontario, you are eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) and can apply directly for the Ontario Health Insurance Program via Services Ontario. Please note that as of March 19, 2020, Ontario is waiving the three-month waiting period for OHIP coverage so you can apply and be enrolled immediately on successful completion of the application. You will need to complete the downloadable form and provide three types of health care identification documents. Please note that per the full list of documents for proof of Ontario residency, your U of T academic record or your off–campus lease or residence contract are considered valid documents. You must apply for OHIP in person at a Service Ontario centre. If you are self-isolating and cannot go to Service Ontario to register for coverage, please contact ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161. INFOline staff will advise on next steps as appropriate.

Your PGWP eligibility will not be affected if your courses were moved online due to COVID-19 and you may pursue your classes online while outside Canada and complete up to 100% of your program through distance learning while maintaining your eligibility. Also, you won’t have time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit for studies completed outside of Canada between spring 2020 and December 31, 2021.

Please note that this only applies if:

• you have a study permit, or
• you’ve been approved for a study permit, or
• you applied for a study permit before starting your study program (your study permit must eventually be approved).

If you choose to defer your semester, this could impact your eligibility for the Post-Graduate Work Permit, or invalidate your existing application. Please book an appointment to speak to an immigration advisor on your home campus (UTM, UTSC or St. George) to work out what you need to do in this situation. You can book a phone or virtual appointment or email an advisor.

If you want to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you have 180 days from completing your degree program to do so. The best option is to apply within 90 days of completing your degree program, so that you’re able to remain in Canada and start working while awaiting approval.

Your study permit automatically becomes invalid 90 days from the date you complete your degree requirements (I.e. get your final grades), despite any future expiry date printed on the permit. This means that you must apply to change your legal status to a visitor if you’re not planning to apply for the work permit within 90 days of degree program completion. You won’t be able to work during the processing time of your work permit if you don’t apply within 90 days from completing your degree requirements.

You may speak with the international student immigration advisors on your home campus (UTM, UTSC or St. George) to work out what you need to do in this situation. You can book a phone or virtual appointment or email an advisor.

From January 27 to July 27, 2021, former international students in Canada with an expired or expiring PGWP can apply for another open work permit. These open work permits will be valid for 18 months and allow former international students to remain in Canada and continue to seek employment.

• To apply for an open work permit under the public policy, an applicant must
  • have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or a PGWP that expires in 4 months or less from the date they apply
  • still be in Canada
  • have a valid temporary status, or be applying to restore their status

• Applications will be open from January 27 to July 27, 2021.
• Details on how to apply are on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

We understand this is an anxious time for you and can appreciate the stress you must be under through this evolving situation. If you are still abroad and would like support in returning to Canada or your home now, please contact safety.abroad@utoronto.ca.

If you have not already done so, please email us at safety.abroad@utoronto.ca to let us know that you’re now safely home and following public guidelines regarding self-isolation. Please consult our FAQs for further details. If you are an exchange student, please copy learning.abroad@utoronto.ca on your message. 

If you have questions about travel related expenses incurred as a result of the University’s COVID-19 recall of all students abroad, please refer to this comprehensive directory of financial support available during the pandemic. 

If you have additional questions not addressed here or have questions about your specific situation, please reach out to us at safety.abroad@utoronto.ca.