Events | Updates | Tips | Community 

October 2026 | Edition 40

In this issue

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

International Centre Events & Programs

International Student Advisors (ISAs) are available for in-person and virtual appointments. To book a same-day appointment, visit our website.

Meet with an International Student Advisor (ISA)

The ISAs at the International Centre all have the Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) designation, meaning that we can provide information and guidance about your immigration questions related to your international student status in Canada. Be sure to meet with an ISA if you have questions about your enrollment status and how it may impact your immigration status! The International Centre is offering same day appointments with our ISAs with appointment availability opening at 7:30 am (CST), Monday-Friday. To book a virtual/in-person appointment to meet with an ISA, please go to the International Centre's WaitWell page.

Thinking about dropping a course in the Fall 2026 term?

The Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) deadline is on November 24^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 2026-2027 academic year, 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 September 28, 2026, the estimated processing times are as follows for online applications:

• Study Permit extension: 8 weeks
• Work Permit (Post-graduation work permit): 16 weeks
• Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa): 11 days

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

Tips and Reminders

Important Dates 

• Oct. 7 - Tuition fee payment deadline
• Oct. 12 - Thanksgiving, University closed
• Oct. 20-22 - Convocation ceremonies (Fort Garry and Bannatyne campus Programs)
• Nov. 9-13 - Fall Term Break
• Nov. 24 - Voluntary withdrawal deadline for Fall Term courses
• Dec. 11 - Last day of classes
• Dec. 12-23 - Fall Term examinations and tests

View more dates online.

Things to do in Winnipeg

Check out these events happening in Winnipeg this month:

• Canada Life Free Sundays at Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajug - free admission on the second Sunday of each month.

• First Fridays in the Exchange - free event, various businesses in the Exchange District from 5 - 9 PM.

• First Fridays - free admission at Manitoba Museum

• October 4 - Free admission to Canadian Museum for Human Rights on First Sunday of every month. 

• Soothe your senses with the sights and sounds of fall migration at FortWhyte Alive as thousands of waterfowl land on the wetlands at sunset.

• Read about Tourism Winnipeg's top 50 things to do in the Fall.

Visit Tourism Winnipeg or Winnipeg for Free for other ideas.

Community Updates

October is Student Success Month

Academic Integrity Coordinators and the Academic Learning Centre, are organizing the following to promote Academic Skills:

• Academic Learning Centre writing workshop series
• Drop-in tutoring sessions hosted by the Writing Tutor team
• "The Learning Curve" Podcast episode with Academic Integrity Coordinators to promote integrity
• Tabling event on October 21st - the International Day of Action for Academic Integrity - to promote integrity and relevant student services
• Instagram Takeover "Day in the Life of an Academic Integrity Coordinator" on October 21st
• Academic Integrity Meme Contest

Visit for more information.

Pause and Play

October 28, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM 
Student Wellness Centre, 162 Extended Education building

Join the SWC for an afternoon of board games. Whether you want to play or sit back and watch, there is a seat for you!