Events | Updates | Tips | Community 

July 2025 | Edition 25

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.

IRCC Updates June 25, 2025 – Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility Changes

On June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to the fields of study that qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). These changes may affect certain programs offered through Extended Education at the University of Manitoba. To see which programs remain eligible for the PGWP, please visit the IRCC website for the most current list of eligible and ineligible programs or the IRCC’s June 25, 2025 – Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility Changes.

PGWP eligibility is determined based on the program of study listed at the time a student submits their study permit application. Students who applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, will remain eligible for a PGWP if their program was eligible at the time of application—even if that program has since been removed from the eligible list.

Finishing your program in the Summer 2025 term

If you are completing your program requirements during the Summer 2025 term and have declared graduation for October 2025, then you may be considering applying for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). The International Centre (IC) has detailed information about who is eligible to apply for the PGWP, what documents to include, and step-by-step instructions on how to submit an online application for a PGWP on our immigration information website. In addition, the Registrar’s Office has helpful information about how to request a document confirming that you have completed your program requirements, as well as the steps to request an official transcript. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also has important information about the PGWP eligibility and application process on their website.

Working during the Summer 2025 term

Some international students may be eligible to work full-time hours during the Summer term. UM students in undergraduate (UG) programs who aren’t required to register in the Summer term and for whom Summer is an optional term may be eligible to work full-time hours in the Summer term, regardless of their course load. To be eligible, a student must have been registered in a full-time UM course load before the Summer term and must be confident that they will register in a full-time UM course load after the Summer term. Any international students for whom Summer is not an optional term (e.g. Master’s and PhD students, UG students in the College of Nursing, etc.) are only eligible to work up to 24 hours/week off-campus during the Summer term, as it’s not a break for those programs. Please refer to our full-time status document to confirm if the Summer term is optional for your program. Remember – it is always your responsibility to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria to work on or off-campus and don’t work more hours than you’re allowed to. Review this section of the IC’s immigration information website for more details about working in Canada as an international student.

Need a new visitor visa (temporary resident visa)?

If you are planning on travelling outside of Canada during summer and need to apply for a new visitor visa, then IRCC has important information on their website about how to apply for a new visitor visa from inside of Canada. On this page IRCC recommends applying for a new visitor visa at least 2 months before you leave Canada, and not to leave Canada until you get your visitor visa. It is also recommended that you don’t book a plane ticket until you have received your new visitor visa. In addition, there is detailed information on the IC’s immigration information website on how to apply for a new visitor visa from inside of Canada.

Returning to Canada

Are you planning on travelling outside of Canada during summer? If you are planning on returning to Canada for the start of classes in the Fall 2025 term, then IRCC has some important information that you should review for international students travelling outside of Canada and then re-entering. In addition, the IC has some more specific information on our immigration information website regarding documentation that we recommend you travel back to Canada with to prepare for your arrival at the port of entry.

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 June 26, 2025, the estimated processing times are as follows for online applications:

• Study Permit extension: 189 days
• Work Permit (co-op work permit, post-graduation work permit): 196 days
• Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa): 23 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 

• Jul. 7, 2025 - Aug. 5, 2025 - Registration for Fort Garry campus Fall courses
  
• Jul. 17, 2025 - Last day to voluntarily withdraw from May-August courses
• Jul. 29, 2025 - Last day to voluntarily withdraw from July-August courses
• Aug. 4, 2025 - Terry Fox Day (Civic Holiday), University Closed
• Aug. 8, 2025 - Last day of classes for May-August and July August courses
• Aug. 11, 2025 - Aug. 16, 2025 - Final exam period for May-August and July-August courses 
• August 28, 2025 - International Student Orientation for new international students
• Sep. 2, 2025 - Welcome Day (Fall Term Orientation)
• Sep. 3, 2025 - First day of Fall classes

View more dates online.

Things to do in Winnipeg

Check out these events happening in Winnipeg in June:

• Various dates in July & August - Watch a Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball game at Blue Cross Park
• July 5 - Prairie Dog Central Railway take a train to Grosse Isle on the Mystical Magic Train; Departure – 11:00 AM and Return – 2:45 PM (Admission: Adult - $36.95; Child - $29.95).
• July 5 - 2025 Gardens of Distinction fundraising event: The self-guided tour features 14 gardens in South Winnipeg and beyond, which you can visit at your own pace between 9am and 4pm and in any order you choose. Tickets are $20
• July 5-6 - The Local Summer market returns to Outlet Collection Winnipeg! Discover local vendors selling everything from food, drink, self-care, home décor, jewelry, and everything in between.
• July 10-13, Winnipeg Folk Festival - Enjoy some of the best, most diverse folk music from around the world featuring legendary and up-and-coming musicians.
• July 17 and 25, Winnipeg Sea Bears basketball game the Canada Life Centre

Visit Tourism Winnipeg or Winnipeg for Free for other ideas.

Community Updates

Reading to Write Program

The Academic Learning Centre is offering two sessions of the Reading to Write Program in July and August 2025. This university-prep online course helps students improve their academic reading and writing skills, understand university assignment expectations, and learn to use UMLearn and other UM resources.

Students learn strategies for reading complex academic texts, complete basic academic writing tasks and receive feedback on their writing from Academic Learning Centre writing tutors.

Reading to Write is short, free, and online and it is best suited for incoming UM students or those who have completed fewer than 60 credits.

Students can register for the first session (July 2 - 22) by June 15 and for the second session (July 22- August 12) by July 15 on the Academic Learning Centre page.