International Students

It is exciting to leave your home country and start a new page in your life as an international graduate student at Brock University. However, are you ready? 

Pre-arrival

You must abide by all the travel requirements set by the hosting country and your home country. For more detailed guidance, please review International Student Travel Requirements. We strongly recommend reading this directive carefully and following all the steps as instructed.  

Start Here

Studying in Canada

As an international student, you may need a visitor visa and/or working papers to study in Canada.

Click the button below for information about required immigration documents to study and work in Canada.

Getting a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

To work and get paid in Canada, students need a SIN (Social Insurance Number).

1. Understand your residency and tax obligations
2. Learn more about your SIN 
3. Apply or renew below!

Canadian Income Taxes

The Canada Revenue Agency has essential tax information for international students studying in Canada. Be sure to visit their website to understand your residency status and tax obligations as an international student. Find more tax info below. 

Health Insurance

International students should enroll in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) Health and Dental Plan.

All students who enroll for an academic year will have coverage until the end of August (typically Aug. 31).

You may also have received a copy of your UHIP coverage card from SunLife. 

Housing

For international students, who are new to Canada and to the Niagara Region, it could be challenging to find affordable housing to live in.

You will have the option of living on-campus in a student residence building, or off-campus in student housing or accommodations of your choosing.

Please see some of the options below. 

Immigration Status Change and Eligibility for Domestic Fees

All students not born in Canada must submit to the Faculty of Graduate Studies a proof of status document.

Students who do not provide adequate supporting documentation by the due dates below will not be eligible for tuition adjustments. 

PROOF OF STATUS FORM MUST BE DATED AND RECEIVED BY:

  • Fall term – October 15
  • Winter term –  January 15 (tuition will not be adjusted for courses that started in the fall term)
  • Spring session – June 15
  • Summer session – August 1

For students whose immigration status changes after admission to the university, please submit the change to the Faculty of Graduate Studies as soon as possible. Adjustments will be made within the context of the above dates. 

PERMANENT RESIDENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:

  • Permanent Residence Card or Confirmation of Landing, or Record of Landing. 
  • A letter confirming that Citizenship and Immigration Canada has determined eligibility for immigration to Canada meets requirements. 

PERMANENT RESIDENT (PR):

  • A person who has been granted “permanent resident” status and has not had that status revoked; or 
  • A person who has been approved “in-principle” for permanent resident status in Canada.

International Students Exempt from International Fees

1. A person who is the dependent* of a Canadian Citizen or Permanent resident of Canada.
2. A visitor, and his/her dependents*, who is authorized to work in Canada having been issued a work permit.
  • Graduate teaching assistant;
  • Work permit for co-op, internship or medical residency employment;
  • Work permit for post-graduate work;
  • Work permit issued as a result of the international student holding a valid Study Permit;
  • “Off-Campus Work Permit”
  • A visitor who is admitted to and remaining in Canada with official accreditation from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, who has entered Canada, or is in Canada, to carry out her/his official duties as:
    • A diplomatic or consular officer or any dependents* of such personnel; or
    • A Canadian government-accredited representative or official of a country other than Canada, of the United Nations or any of its agencies, of any intergovernmental organizations of which Canada is a member or any dependents* of such personnel; or
    • A member of a foreign military force or of a civilian component; thereof admitted to Canada under the Visiting Forces Act or any dependents* of such personnel.

Required documentation:

  • Work Permit and Student Permit and proof of dependence (see definition of dependent below)
  • Other available official documents/letter

Protected Persons (Convention Refugees)

A person and his/her dependents*, who has been determined to be a protected person, including a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection, within the meaning of subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) or the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Required documentation:

  • Notice of Decision issued by Immigration and Refugee Board.

Dependents are defined as:

  • A spouse.
  • A common-law partner.
  • A dependent child or the dependent child of a spouse or common-law partner.
  • A dependent child of the dependent child referred to above.

A dependent child
A biological child who has not been adopted by a person other than the spouse or common-law partner or an adopted child; and who is in one of the following situations of dependency:

  • Under age 22 and not a spouse or common-law partner;
  • Enrolled continuously at a college, university or other educational institution and dependent substantially on the parent’s financial support since before age 22 or since becoming a spouse. or common-law partner if that occurred before age 22; or
  • A person with a disability who has been financially supported substantially by his or her parents and is unable to be self-supporting because of the disability.

Required documentation:

  • Dependents: Marriage Certificate, or for common-law: an affidavit signed by both spouses, confirming that they are living together in a conjugal relationship for not less than three years or that they are living together in a conjugal relationship and are raising any children of whom they both are the natural or adoptive parent.
  • Dependent Child: proof of financial dependency.

Other resources

Please feel free to email your concerns and inquiries to graduatestudies@brocku.ca

We are devoted to providing international graduate students with support for your questions on graduate program expectation(s), degree requirements, academic policies, and how best to utilize a wide range of Brock services and community resources. We will assist you with:

  • Formulating or adjusting your short-term or long-term educational goals to meet degree requirements.
  • Providing consultation services for international students contemplating significant changes in their Plan of Study, such as taking a leave of absence, extension of the program, and other complex situations.
  • Sharing resources to help you manage multiple aspects of your life in tandem with your academic expectations.