Events | Updates | Tips | Community 

October 2025 | Edition 28

In this issue

• International Centre Events & Programs
• Immigration Updates
• Tips & Reminders
• UM Community Events

International Centre Events & Programs

Immigration updates 

International Student Advisors (ISAs) are available for in person and virtual appointments. To book an appointment or find our drop-in advising schedule, visit our website.

Thinking about dropping a course in the Fall 2025 term? 

The Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) deadline is on November 18^th. If you are considering dropping a course this term, it’s important that you first understand how full-time status is defined for your program. It’s also important for each study permit holder to stay in compliance with their study permit conditions. To learn more about the immigration impacts of part-time studies, please review our understanding your enrollment status page for details. For example, a study permit holder can be a part-time student and still be in compliance with their study permit conditions, but they would no longer be eligible to work on or off-campus if they drop down to part-time status this term and there would be an impact on their post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligibility.

Don’t let your study permit expire! 

As soon as possible, look at the expiry date of your study permit. If you need more time to finish your studies at UM, we recommend submitting your application to extend your study permit around 90 days before your current permit expires. As long as you submit your online extension application before your current study permit expires, you will be under maintained status during the processing period and can continue to study and work until you have a decision. If you don't apply to extend your study permit before it expires, you will be out of status, and you will need to apply for restoration of your status. In this case, you may not continue to study or work until your status has been restored and you have received a new study permit. Restoration is a very complex situation and application, so it’s very important to always submit an extension application before your current study permit expires!

Working during the academic year

If you are considering looking for an on or off-campus job during the 2025-2026 academic year, please ensure that you review, understand, and follow the strict requirements that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has for international students who would like work legally during their studies in Canada. Review our Working in Canada as an International Student
page for details such as what is considered as work, who can work, how many hours you can work and when you need to stop working.

Application Processing Times

Estimated processing times for permits and visas are reported on the IRCC website. You can find the processing time for a specific application here. Processing time estimates are updated weekly. As of October 6, 2025, the estimated processing times are as follows for online applications:

• Study Permit extension: 171 days
• Work Permit (co-op work permit, post-graduation work permit): 196 days
• Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa): 25 days

You may need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) with your application. The processing times do not include additional time to give your biometrics.

Tips and Reminders

Important Dates 

• Oct 13, 2025 - Thanksgiving Day: University Closed
• Oct. 21, 2025 - Oct. 23, 2025 - Fort Garry Campus Convocation Ceremonies
• Nov. 6, 2025 - Bannatyne Campus Convocation Ceremony
• Nov. 10, 2025 - Nov. 14, 2025 - Fall Term Break, No classes, University remains open.
• Nov. 11, 2025 - Remembrance Day: University Closed
• Nov. 18, 2025 - Voluntary withdrawal deadline for Fall Term courses 

View more dates online.

Things to do in Winnipeg

Check out these events happening in Winnipeg in June:

• Open now until November 1- Get lost in the Corn Maze at A Maze in Corn, or visit their Haunted Forest.
• October 9-31- One of the most terrifying Halloween experiences and haunted houses near Winnipeg, Heebie Jeebies is back for its annual scare-fest.
• October 7-31 - Boo the Zoo: The Zoo has been transformed into the mysterious and magical town of Spookyville. Explore the Mansion of Haunt, Hexmore Academy, Spookyville Jail, and more! This Halloween town is yours to discover, guided by a cast of curious and charismatic characters.

Visit Tourism Winnipeg or Winnipeg for Free for other ideas.

Do you have children celebrating their first Halloween? What is it all about? 🎃

Halloween is a big deal in Canada! Children (usually teens or younger) will dress up in costumes and go out "trick-or-treating" on Halloween night (October 31). Here's some tips:

• Wear a costume! (add warm layers underneath)
• Bring a tote bag, bucket or pillowcase to hold your collected candy
• When going to a house, make sure the inside or outside lights are on
• Trick-or-treating is often busiest from 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm. (Do not start before 6:30 pm, and often homes will turn off their lights after 9:30 pm)
• At the door, yell "trick-or-treat!" or ring the doorbell
• Ensure trick-or-treaters travel in groups of at least four or five. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Have a parent check each package of candy to ensure its safely packaged and untampered with before consuming

For more information, visit the Canadian Red Cross Halloween safety page for some fantastic tips about being safe (when kids can walk alone, how to walk safely in the dark, how to check candy and more).

Community Updates

UM Student Accessibility Services Events

Check out SAS October events

Study Together is a weekly workshop and study hall to build and practice study skills together. If you want to learn new study skills, tune up your existing habits or simply want to designate time to get homework done in a co-working environment this is the group for you. Attend a weekly session held on Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. in Room 544, UMSU University Centre.

Crafting Together - October 16, 2025, 12:30-2:00 PM, 162 Extended Education Building. SAS is hosting a crafting event in the Student Wellness Centre. Drop in to craft with a project you have on the go, or use the supplies provided to knit or crochet. Everyone is welcome, no prior experience required.

Charge Ahead Events

Midterm motivation: bye, procrastination, October 15, 3-4 pm, 107 Tier. Midterms coming up but can't get started? Learn why you procrastinate and how to break the cycle. This workshop will help you find your focus, build momentum, and tackle your midterm prep with less stress. Register here.

Parting ways with perfectionism, October 28, 3-4 pm, 107 Tier. Perfectionism keeping you stuck? This workshop will help you overcome all-or-nothing thinking, manage fear of mistakes, and start finishing your work with confidence. Register here.

UM Student Counselling Centre Events 

Mid-Day Mindfullness, Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 pm, in person at Student Counselling Centre, 474 UMSU University Centre.

This is a single session workshop and is open to any UM student. No previous experience with mindfulness-based meditation is required. In each session, participants are introduced to the practice of mindfulness to become more aware and accepting of their experiences non-judgmentally, allowing them to respond to stressful situations in a different way.