International Students

The University of Calgary runs the Centre for International Student and Study Abroad (CISSA). CISSA provides international student with many very useful services and is located in the MacEwan Student Centre, Room 275. Visit their website for a list of their services.

CISSA publishes the CISSA Handbook for newly admitted international students. It includes immigration information such as how to apply for your Study Permit, how to find accommodation and how to sign up for orientation and airport reception for new students.

Once you are in Calgary, there are important things to keep in mind as an international student:

1. Renew your study permit at least three months before your current one expires. Information about renewing your study permit can be found here http://www.ucalgary.ca/uci/students/renewstudypermit.

2. If you plan to leave Canada and come back, make sure you have a valid visa (in case you need one). To renew your visa you will need to do it outside Canada. However, you can also mail your application to a Canadian consulate in the U.S. Renewing your visa by mail takes around four weeks. (So plan well ahead!) For more information see the international student centre's temporary visas information page.

3. Also keep in mind that once you renew your study permit, you will need to renew your Social Insurance Card (SIN), Alberta Health Insurance Plan and your driver’s license.

4. Apply for Medical Insurance

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a large number of international students that can help answer your questions. Golnoosh Bizhani (golnoosh_bizhani@yahoo.com) is the international students representative on the PHAS Departmental Graduate student Association (PHAS-DGA). Please feel free to contact Golnoosh for any further questions.