Student Travel and Pre-Arrival Sessions

Welcome to Cape Breton University! We can’t wait to welcome you for the Fall 2025 semester. Below you will find helpful information that will help you prepare for your travels to Canada to begin your studies.

AIRPORT PICK-UP REQUEST FORM

Free airport pickup from August 18 - August 31, 2025
Student working on computer

PRE-ARRIVAL CHECKLIST

Information Students Need for What's Next

International Student Travel: Fall 2025

In preparation for your arrival in Canada, please carefully review the terms from the Government of Canada to make sure you meet the criteria for travel. Students who have not secured housing and accommodations should not travel to Canada and are encouraged to defer their studies to a future semester.

Refer to the Pre-arrival Checklist that will guide you to prepare yourself before you arrive in Canada.

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.

Travelling to Sydney, Nova Scotia

CBU is happy to offer a free airport pick-up service from JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport from August 18-August 31, 2025. Airport pick-up requests should be submitted 48 hours prior to your arrival time in Sydney, Nova Scotia. For additional questions about the free airport pick-up service, please reach out to airportpickup@cbu.ca.

All students must have accommodations secured before booking. For more information about on- and off-campus housing, please visit CBU.ca/accommodations or CBU.ca/off-campus. 

AIRPORT PICKUP REQUEST FORM

International Student Health Insurance

Arriving in Canada on September 1 or later? Your international student health insurance plan with Cape Breton University will begin on September 1, 2025, or on the date you arrive in Canada if you arrive after September 1, 2025. Arriving in Canada before September 1, 2025? We strongly encourage that you enrol for the emergency plan to cover you until your CBU plan begins.

Please visit www.guard.me/cbu and click EARLY/LATE ARRIVALS. You can also learn more about international students health insurance at CBU. A list of international students health insurance FAQs is also available.

 

Pre-Arrival Sessions

To ensure you are prepared to begin your studies in September 2025, we are thrilled to share that CBU will be hosting a pre-arrival sessions on Tuesday, June 17, Wednesday, June 18 and Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

CBU’s pre-arrival series will 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.

Unable to attend a session? Following each session the key takeaways, will be posted below.

Quicklinks

Quick Links

Pre-Arrival Session Schedule

Key Takeaways from the Session:

Services offered to International students from the Advising Centre located Marvin Harvey Building:

    • International Student Advising
    • Academic Advising
    • Success Coaching
    • Career Support Services
    • Student Life & First-Year Experience

CBU’s International Student Advisors (ISAs) are your first point of contact for immigration-related questions, including study permits, co-op work permits, and post-graduation work permits (PGWP). ISA’s also provide pre-arrival and on-arrival support

  • Airport pick-ups are free for International students arriving at the JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport (YQY) for the start of our Fall 2025 semester. Airport pick ups start from August 18th and end on August 31, 2025.  Please use this link to sign up for airport pick ups:
  • All International students are enrolled into a International Medical Insurance which is provided by Guard.Me
  • Students are encouraged to bring warm clothing, a reusable water bottle, traditional attire for cultural events, and a laptop.
  • Students are asked not to pack money or essential documents in checked luggage. These should be on your person at all times.  These documents include:
    • Passport with TRV or eTA
    • CBU Letter of Acceptance
    • Proof of registration
    • Proof of funds, one year living expenses of $20,635 plus one-year tuition or proof of payment
    • Medical exam (if required)
    • Study Permit Approval Letter/Letter of Introduction
    • A copy of all documents submitted in their study permit application (please also have a soft copy of this on your phone).
    • Address and contact number, of their residence in Canada
  • Arrival & Border Process
    • Students will receive their Study Permit and Co-op Work Permit (if applicable) at their first Canadian port of entry:
    • Please be prepared to answer any questions related to your visit and have the documents mentioned above with you
    • Please check all details carefully after you have received your Study Permit and Co-op Work Permit (if applicable)
    • You can politely ask for corrections or additions (e.g., work authorization) from the CBSA officer however DO NOT argue with the CBSA officer

Other services offered to all Cape Breton University Students:

      • Health & Wellness
        • Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre
        • CBU REC & Fitness Centre
      • Housing & Ancillary Services
        • On-campus residence and dining
        • Off-campus housing support and listing of available housing in the community
      • CBU Student’s Union

International Student’s Orientation/PR Pathway Sessions will be on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 1:00-3:00pm in the Yvonne Levert Hospitality Suite.