Student Travel and Pre-Arrival Sessions
Welcome to Cape Breton University! We can’t wait to welcome you for the Winter 2027 semester. Below you will find helpful information that will help you prepare for your travels to Canada to begin your studies.
International Student Travel: Winter 2027
CBU is happy to offer a free airport pick-up service from JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport from January 2 – 5, 2027. Airport pick-up requests should be submitted 24 hours prior to your arrival time in Sydney Nova Scotia.
To book your pick-up, please submit this CBU Airport Pick-Up Request Form.
All students must have accommodations secured before booking, be registered in courses and have first-year tuition paid. For more information about on and off-campus housing options, please visit cbu.ca/accommodations or cbu.ca/off-campus.
Refer to the Pre-arrival Checklist that will guide you to prepare yourself before you arrive in Canada.
Pre-Arrival Sessions
To ensure you are prepared to begin your studies, we host pre-arrival sessions that provide an opportunity for students to connect with International Student Advisors over Microsoft Teams where they will learn more about life at CBU and ask questions. Pre-Arrival sessions for winter 2027 will take place every Friday in November.
Friday November 6, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/292937356809006?p=uvM29RoQCR4HwvMlqj
Meeting ID: 292 937 356 809 006
Passcode: Ln6GU3UF
Friday November 13, 2026, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/282272481321653?p=1WxdjRADXbnLihrjHD
Meeting ID: 282 272 481 321 653
Passcode: HC2QU36o
Friday November 20, 2026, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/214560353654175?p=Dfh0tSgRTl88NEkPZq
Meeting ID: 214 560 353 654 175
Passcode: mc6BH29L
Friday November 27, 2026, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/246014046902113?p=s5nyGh8oAiuHxIAf4V
Meeting ID: 246 014 046 902 113
Passcode: Nk2Ro78p
Explore Your New Campus
Take a virtual tour of CBU before you arrive to familiarize yourself with our beautiful campus and many student services.
Distance Learning and its Potential Impact on Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
Starting January 1, 2024, students must complete at least 50% of their program in-class inside Canada. The time spent studying outside of Canada will be deducted from the length of the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). We recommend that students not take more than one course online per semester to give themselves the best chance to get a three-year PGWP.
Detailed information on PGWP can be found on the IRCC website.
Work in Canada
Wondering if you can work while studying? Please click here for more information.
Arriving at your port-of-entry into Canada:
When you arrive at a port-of-entry into Canada, you’ll meet a border services officer who will make sure you meet the basic requirements for arrival in Canada.
International Student Health Insurance
Your international student health insurance plan with Cape Breton University will begin on the first day of the month in which your semester begins. If you arrive before this day, we strongly encourage that you enroll in the emergency plan to cover you until your CBU plan begins. Please visit www.guard.me/cbu for more information, including a list of frequently asked questions.
