Events | Updates | Tips | Community 

May 2025 | Edition 23

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.

Finished your program in the Winter 2025 term 

If you have completed your program requirements during the Winter 2025 term, then you may be considering applying for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Review our website for detailed information about who is eligible to apply for the PGWP, what documents to include, and step-by-step instructions on submitting an online application for a PGWP. 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 official transcript. Reminder: As of November 1, 2024, all PGWP applicants must provide proof of language ability with their application. Learn more about the new language requirements here.

Pathways to Permanent Residency for International Students

IRCC is offering a virtual questions and answers series for international students who want to stay in Canada after they graduate. Each 1-hour session will allow international students to ask questions about future pathways to permanent residence in Canada. To prepare for these sessions, students should watch the related videos before they register. These sessions are available from May 14, 2025, to June 18, 2025. To register, please visit IRCC’s 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 our website for more information of 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.

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 International Centre has some more specific information on our Immigration Information page 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 May 6, 2025, the estimated processing times are as follows for online applications:

• Study Permit extension: 223 days
• Work Permit (co-op work permit, post-graduation work permit): 233 days
• Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa): 20 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 

• May 15, 2025 - Last day to DROP May-August 3 credit courses without financial penalty
• May. 15, 2025 - Last day to register for May-August 3 credit courses
• May 19 - Victoria Day
• May. 21, 2025 - Fee payment deadline for May-June and May-August courses
• Jun. 3, 2025- Last day to voluntarily withdraw from May-June courses
• Jun. 13, 2025- Last day of classes for May-June courses
• Jun. 16, 2025 - Jun. 21, 2025 -Final exam period for May-June courses
• Jun. 30, 2025 - Last day to register for Irregularly scheduled courses in Summer Irregular 2
• Jun. 30, 2025 - First day of July-August courses
• Jul. 17, 2025 - Last day to voluntarily withdraw from May-August courses

View more dates online.

Things to do in Winnipeg

Check out these events happening in Winnipeg in May:

• May 15, Jets Family Viewing Party at Assiniboine Park.
• May 16-18, Wonder Shows Family Fun Spring Fair at Assiniboia Downs.
• May 24-June 2, Winnipeg Pride Festival.
• May 25-25, Manitoba Food Truck Battles at Assiniboia Downs.
• June 8, Manitoba Night Market & Festival at Assiniboia Downs.

Visit Tourism Winnipeg or Winnipeg for Free for other ideas.

Community Updates