Updates | Events | Tips | Community 

May-June 2024 | Edition 11

The International Centre Student Newsletter is delivered in the third week of each month.  

The International Centre

International Student Advisors (ISAs) are available for in person and virtual appointments. To book an appointment with one of our student advisors visit our Waitwell booking site. For more information on our drop-in advising schedule, please check our website.

In this issue

• Immigration Updates | International Student Advising Team
• International Centre Events & Programs
• Tips & Reminders
• UM Community Updates

Immigration updates 

Finishing your program in the Winter 2024 term

If you are completing your program requirements during the Winter 2024 term and have declared graduation for May/June, then you may be considering applying for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). The International Centre 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 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 2024 term

IRCC has announced that the temporary public policies that allowed some international students to work more than 20 hours/week off-campus was not extended past April 30, 2024. However, some international students may be eligible to work full-time hours during the Summer term. International students in undergraduate 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 (example: Masters and PhD students, undergraduate students in the Faculty of Nursing, etc.) are only eligible to work up to 20 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 required or optional for your program of study. 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.

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 2024 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 13, 2024, the estimated processing times are as follows for online applications:

• Study Permit extension: 53 days
• Co-op Work Permit: 94 days
• Post-Graduation Work Permit: 94 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.

International Centre Events & Programs

Tips and Reminders

Important Dates 

• June 4, 2024 - Voluntary Withdrawal Deadline for May-June courses
• June 4 - 7, 2024 - Convocation Ceremony (Fort Garry Campus)
  
• June 10, 2024 - Final grade appeal deadline (Winter Term and Fall/Winter Term spanning courses)
• July 5, 2024 - Last day to add or drop July-August courses without financial penalty
• July 11, 2024 - Fee payment deadline for July-August courses
• July 18, 2024 - Voluntary Withdrawal Deadline for May-August courses
• July 25, 2024 - Deadline for Undergraduate students to apply online to graduate for Fall 2024 Convocation
• July 30, 2024 - Voluntary Withdrawal Deadline for July-August courses
• Aug. 27, 2024 - Graduate Studies Submission Deadline for students graduating Fall 2024

View more dates online.

Mental Health Supports for International Students

There are many supports available for international students, free of charge in a variety of options.

Student Counselling and Wellness at the University of Manitoba is available to provide support and services to all University of Manitoba students, including international students. All of our services are free and international students can choose from a variety of options to receive help.

Our Health and Wellness services include the recently opened Student Wellness Centre at 162 Extended Education where you can drop by to rest, recharge or connect with other students. The Student Wellness Centre hosts our peer support program called Healthy U – a team of friendly student volunteers who are available to talk with about a variety of health topics.

Avoid falling victim to job and employment scams

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is seeing an increase in job opportunity frauds. These scammers target job seekers. The scammer tells you that before you get the job, you must first pay a fee or provide your banking or other personal information, or they send you an advance payment by cheque that they want you to cash.

How to avoid a scam:

• Beware of any claims of guaranteed income. Remember: There are no shortcuts to wealth.
• Don’t make a decision without carefully researching the offer and getting independent advice.
• Never send your banking or credit card details to someone you don’t know and trust.
• Don’t agree to cash a cheque. No legitimate business will send you a cheque upfront and tell you that you need to transfer some of the money to them. If you cash a fraudulent cheque, your bank could make you pay back the money lost.
• Get all the details in writing before paying for something or signing any documents.

Learn more

Browse popular scams

How to report fraud and scams

Things to do in Winnipeg

• Pride Winnipeg - This year’s theme is “Transcend Together,” which symbolizes the strength and unity within the queer community, as well as the resilience of trans individuals advocating for the protection of trans rights. Check out raising of the pride flag, parade and rally and more events running May 24-June 2. Learn more.
  
• Locked Zoo - Unlock the secrets of the Zoo in this new, after-hours, adults-only evening of good-natured competition while learning how we care for our creatures! There will be winners. There will be losers. Bragging rights are on the line. Learn more.
• Brasil Moderno at the Leaf -  Celebrate the rich landscapes, colours, and plants of Brazil! Drawing inspiration from Brazilian landscape architect and environmentalist, Roberto Burle Marx, horticulturist and plant designer Rob Halpern has skillfully combined form, colour, and plant diversity for our newest display, Brasil Moderno. Learn more.

Community Updates