Student Travel and Pre-Arrival Sessions
Welcome to Cape Breton University! We can’t wait to welcome you for the Fall 2026 semester. Below you will find helpful information that will help you prepare for your travels to Canada to begin your studies.
International Student Travel: Fall 2026
CBU is happy to offer a free airport pick-up service from JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport from August 24-September 8, 2026. Airport pick-up requests should be submitted 48 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 2026 will take place every Thursday in July.
Schedule:
Thursday July 2, 2026, 9:00-11:00am
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/281650319294844?p=xFAdE5zjdVZPR2m4IH
Meeting ID: 281 650 319 294 844
Passcode: fm2aP7Kv
Thursday July 9, 2026, 11:00am-1:00pm
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/242126155504273?p=TWXxFDYfuRExaEcyZl
Meeting ID: 242 126 155 504 273
Passcode: Yw3Wn9uw
Thursday July 16, 2026, 2:00-4:00pm
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/244562806227199?p=qlUiUTEkpUoV3Rx5lg
Meeting ID: 244 562 806 227 199
Passcode: DR2dV2KC
Thursday July 23, 2026, 4:00-6:00pm
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/232398004039355?p=IIHVsTYLfA8A7EvN0O
Meeting ID: 232 398 004 039 355
Passcode: 8XK6VS7N
Thursday July 30, 2026, 6:00-8:00pm
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/254355325900849?p=2vsEGVNwCmGFscZpPl
Meeting ID: 254 355 325 900 849
Passcode: Pt3ox7uH
Unable to attend a session? Following each session the key takeaways, will be posted at the bottom of this page.
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.
