COVID-19 - General FAQ for International Students

No. As of October 1, 2022 a full series of COVID-19 vaccines is not required to enter Canada. For the latest information on travel, border measures please visit the Government of Canada website.

Please see the following government resources for more details on vaccination recommendations in Ontario:

• Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines: Recommended Doses
• COVID-19: Recommendations for those vaccinated with vaccines not authorized by Health Canada for those staying in Canada to live, work or study

Yes! If you are an international student who is currently outside of Canada, visit our International Arrival website for information about helpful tips for travelling to Canada, and other supports and considerations in planning your arrival.

As of October 1, 2022, there are no quarantine requirements for any students arriving to Canada regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. Find helpful tips for travel on our International Arrival website. 

The ArriveCAN app was previously required to provide proof of vaccination and travel details. As of October 1, 2022, travellers are no longer required to use the ArriveCAN app.

While travellers no longer have to submit quarantine and vaccination information through ArriveCAN, they can continue to use the optional Advance Declaration feature in ArriveCAN (free as a mobile app or on the Canada Border Services Agency website) to save time at the airport by submitting their customs and immigration declaration in advance of arrival. 

No. Based on the latest consultation with Western medical experts and local public health, Western is revoking its vaccination policy and will no longer require students, employees, and visitors to be vaccinated to come to campus.

Following public health guidance, we strongly encourage everyone to remain up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. To determine if you are considered fully vaccinated or up to date by the Province of Ontario, please visit our COVID-19 vaccination chart below.

Please see the Western vaccine page for additional details, or contact vaxinfo@uwo.ca for questions.

No. Western no longer requires students living in residence to be fully vaccinated.

Yes.  UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) members residing in Ontario are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost, regardless of where it is administered (Western vaccination and testing centre, public health vaccination sites, designated pharmacies, walk-in clinics, family doctors, others). UHIP members residing in Canada, but outside of Ontario, do not have to pay for the vaccine at designated public health unit vaccination sites and designated pharmacies only, but may have to pay if they receive the vaccine at other sites, such as walk-in clinics, family doctors or others.

If you paid for the vaccine, you can submit a claim for reimbursement up to the UHIP designated amount. visit the UHIP web page for general UHIP information. Contact iesc@uwo.ca with any questions.

Rapid antigen tests for at-home use are available for free in Ontario at selected pharmacies and grocery stores. Only certain individuals such as those who work in health care settings (including students in clinical settings), and in some cases, their families or partners, are eligible for Molecular and PCR testing.

Visit the Government of Ontario COVID-19 website for details. 

Testing for Travel: Please visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit website for testing locations for the purposes of testing before travelling outside of Canada. 

The Vaccination and Testing Centre is located in Thames Hall, Room 3189. Visit uwo.ca/coronavirus/vaccine.html for more information and to book a vaccine appointment. 

Following public health guidance, we strongly encourage everyone to remain up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. To determine if you are considered fully vaccinated or up to date by the Province of Ontario, please visit our COVID-19 vaccination chart below.

You have access to COVID-19 vaccinations free of charge, regardless of UHIP/OHIP status. You should provide your UHIP card if asked. 

UHIP also covers emergency services and hospitalization related to COVID-19.  For a full list of what is covered by UHIP, visit:  uhip.ca/Enrollment/PlanDetails#toc2

If you are seeking coverage for services not covered under UHIP (e.g., prescription drugs, dental care), supplementary health insurance is provided through the University Students' Council (USC) for undergraduate students  westernusc.ca/your-services/health-plan and through the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) for graduate students sogs.ca/healthplan.

If you are travelling outside of Canada, UHIP will not cover COVID testing for outbound international travellers.

If you are sick or test positive on a rapid antigen test, stay home to prevent transmission to others, except to seek testing or medical care if required. You are encouraged to stay home until your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea), you do not have a fever and you do not develop any additional symptoms. 

Learn more here about public health recommendations for when you are feeling unwell or test positive.

If symptoms worsen and you need to seek medical attention, contact Student Health Care at 519-661-3030 or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. In a medical emergency, call 911. 

If it has been longer than one month since your last vaccination, it is safe for you to receive an additional vaccination. If you wish to discuss any health concerns with a health care provider, please contact Student Health Care at (519) 661-3030.

Yes. It is safe for you to receive an additional vaccination if you have waited the appropriate time interval from your last vaccination. You can receive your booster dose at Western’s Vaccination and Testing Centre. If you wish to discuss any health concerns with a health care provider, please contact Student Health Care at (519) 661-3030.

If you have been given a vaccination at a local Ontario hospital, you can come to the Vaccination and Testing Centre with your student card and a second proof of identity (passport) and the health team can provide your proof of vaccination.

If I received all my doses inside of Ontario:

• Call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre to request your vaccination proof at 1-322-943-3900 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Sunday).

If I received one or more of my doses outside of Ontario:

• Submit your proof of vaccination to be verified by the Middlesex-London Health Unit at https://covidvaccinelm.ca/outofprovince
  • Please Note: It may take up to 21 days to process an out-of-Ontario or out-of-Canada COVID-19 vaccine submission.
• Once processed, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre to request your vaccination proof at 1-322-943-3900 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Sunday).

Unsure which vaccine you received or can’t find proof? Call the Middlesex-London Health Unit at 226-289-3560 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Sunday). 

The International Student Bursary Program enables undergraduate international students in financial need to continue or complete their program of study at Western. Please click on the "Undergraduate" section on our Financial Assistance page for more information or visit our Advising Services page to connect with our team.

Western offers short-term loans to international students who encounter unforeseen financial emergencies. The maximum loan is $500. Financial emergencies may arise as a result of medical expenses, delays in transfers of funds from outside of Canada, expensive textbooks, moving, etc. Find out more on our Financial Assistance page.

Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars can find information on the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) funding page.

International students admitted to a short-term program (less than 6 months) may now enter Canada for study with a valid travel document such as a visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

You will need a study permit if your program is longer than six months.

There are also some advantages to applying for a study permit even if it’s not required for your program, including facilitating re-entry to Canada if a student travels during their studies.  For more information, please see the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

If you have any questions please contact iesc@uwo.ca. 

IRCC has extended distance learning measures until December 31, 2023 to enable international students, who are still waiting for their study permit, to pursue their studies online during the transition period and still be eligible for PGWP. However, international students are encouraged to come back to Canada.

Please refer to the IRCC website for more details.

Please check with your department/faculty if online options are available.

If you take the online options and you can’t travel because you are still waiting for approval of your study permit or TRV/eTA, please note you won't be able to get a refund for completed terms if you are unable to come to Canada to complete your program in the future. Western University will not be liable for any losses resulting from your failure to qualify for a study permit, or from your inability to otherwise complete the program due to immigration restrictions.

If you are a student who needs university employment, you will not be able to get a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) without a valid study permit, and without a valid SIN the university cannot employ you.

If you have specific immigration questions pertaining to your situation, please contact our International Student Advisors at iesc@uwo.ca or  schedule an appointment .

Visit What to Bring to Canada on our website for details on documents and other essential items.

Visit the new students section of our website for a full list what you need to bring to the airport.

For up-to-date information on requirements for residences, please visit the Housing website.

We are taking our direction and instruction from the government and local health authorities. Enhanced cleaning of our residences includes more frequent sanitization of touch surfaces in public areas, with caretaking staff schedules expanding to seven days a week, and an extended presence beyond traditional business hours. Additional changes to food service and dining halls have been implemented. For details, see the Housing website.

If you are arriving past the start of the term or are continuing to experience challenges in securing study permits or travel arrangements, please contact the following AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:

• Undergraduate Students: your faculty's academic counselling office
• Graduate Students: your supervisor

Accommodations for late arrival vary by program and individual circumstances and may not be possible in all cases. 

Western remains committed to supporting international students as you navigate the challenges of COVID-19. International Student Advisors are available to provide guidance and support. Please contact iesc@uwo.ca, book an appointment, or call +1-519-661-2111 ext. 89309 for assistance. 

Our IESC staff and volunteers will offer a mix of in-person and virtual programming and events throughout the year. Please visit the website for more details.

IESC has a range of in-person and virtual programming and opportunities for you to connect with other students and with our team. You can also view our events calendar and follow us on social media to stay up to date.

• Instagram: @westernuinternational
• Facebook: Western International
• Twitter: @westernuintl
  

Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars can find information and resources on the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website. For questions pertaining to research, examinations and other concerns issues please consult the directory for contact information: grad.uwo.ca/administration/directory.html.

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) maintains this web page on fees and funding. 

Please visit the Learning Network resource hub for resources related to Gender-Based Violence and COVID-19.