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What people arrive with

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All stages

Stage 1 of 5

Before you arrive

What to have sorted before you fly, in the order it tends to matter.

  1. Before
  2. First weeks
  3. Studying
  4. Final term
  5. After grad

Steps, in order

Open a step to read its answer, or go to the page that covers it.

  1. Arrival

    Work through the pre-arrival checklist

    Confirm your documents, course registration, housing, health insurance, money and the trip from the airport before you book the flight.

    At minimum, confirm your immigration documents, admission status, course registration access, housing plan, health-insurance plan, finances for tuition and living costs, and arrival transportation. Also review UAlberta preparation pages, international orientation information, and any faculty-specific onboarding instructions.

    SourcesPrepare for UAlbertaFind housing - ISVS
  2. Arrival

    Keep your travel documents in your hand luggage

    Your passport, study permit approval letter, admission letter and proof of funds may all be asked for at the border, so keep them with you, not in a checked bag.

    Carry essential documents in your hand luggage, not checked baggage: passport, letter of introduction or port-of-entry letter if applicable, study permit approval documents, UAlberta admission letter, proof of funds, housing address, contact information for UAlberta and family, health-insurance information, and any documents IRCC told you to carry. Border officers may ask to see supporting documents.

    SourcesImmigration resources - UAlberta
  3. Housing

    Find a place to live for your first weeks

    Arrive with an address, even a temporary one. Never pay a deposit for a place you have not seen or verified.

    Do not send large deposits before verifying the landlord, unit, lease terms, and legitimacy of the listing. Be cautious if the landlord refuses a video tour, pressures you to pay immediately, asks for unusual payment methods, or offers rent far below market value. Use UAlberta housing resources, local tenant information, and trusted contacts before signing.

    SourcesFind housing - ISVS
    Housing and settling in
  4. Arrival

    Sign up for International Student Orientation

    It covers housing, winter, campus services and your first paperwork, and it is the easiest place to meet other new students.

    Yes. International Student Orientation and related welcome programming help you understand travel planning, housing, winter preparation, campus services, cultural adjustment, and practical first steps such as getting a SIN when eligible. Check the orientation page and your UAlberta email for term-specific dates and registration.

    SourcesPrepare for UAlberta
  5. Getting around

    Plan the trip from the airport

    Edmonton International Airport is a long way south of campus, so know how you are getting to your housing before you land.

    UAlberta welcome services may offer term-specific arrival supports such as airport information or transportation guidance. Check the current orientation/welcome page before you travel. If no arrival program is available, plan a safe airport transfer in advance and keep your accommodation address offline on your phone and on paper.

    SourcesGetting around - ISVS
  6. Health

    Check your health insurance

    Know which plan covers you from your first day, and what to do if you get sick before any provincial coverage starts.

    Yes. UAlberta states that international students must have basic health insurance. Depending on your immigration status, length of stay, age, and residency situation, you may be covered through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) or through UAHIP.

    Before you rely on this

    • Do not assume you are covered until you confirm your status.
    SourcesHealth insurance - UAlbertaAHCIP: coverage for students
  7. Arrival

    Plan for an Edmonton winter

    Bring the basics and buy the rest here, where local students can tell you what is worth the money. Dress for the wind chill, not the number.

    Do not panic-buy everything before you arrive. Focus first on a warm winter jacket, gloves, hat, scarf, thermal layers, winter boots with grip, and a way to protect your phone battery in the cold. Weather apps may show both the actual temperature and a “feels like” wind-chill temperature; dress for the wind chill, especially on windy days. ISVS orientation and settlement sessions often cover winter preparation, and local students can help you avoid overpriced or unsuitable items.

    SourcesPrepare for UAlberta

Who to ask1

A guide to where to go, not immigration or legal advice.

  • International student support

    ISVS

    International Student and Visitor Services: your starting point for permits, visas, health insurance and settling into Edmonton.