Incoming International Students

All incoming international students for Winter semester 2023 should refer to Campus Announcements in myUPEI and to emails from the ISO and UPEI Recruitment Office for information regarding orientation and travel to Prince Edward Island.

Are you a new English Academic Preparation (EAP) student? Please visit the English Language Centre website for complete information.

International Student Orientation

Our International Student Office (ISO) team is really looking forward to meeting you! This December, UPEI will be hosting online sessions to help you prepare for your arrival on campus. Please monitor your UPEI email address and our UPEI International Student Facebook page.

two upei students at new student orientation

Sign-up for the online International Student Orientation

During International Student Orientation, you will learn more about what life at the University of Prince Edward Island and in Canada is like, and find out about the great supports and assistance programs we offer! If you're concerned about starting your degree online or making friends, we have you covered.

Topics covered at the orientation include:

  • Immigration information
  • COVID-19 and border travel information
  • UPEISU's health insurance
  • Transition to the Canadian culture
  • Academic and social supports and information
  • Housing support and information
  • How to make friends
  • Fun social events, activities, and clubs
  • The bus system

... and much more!

We now have an online orientation module!

Topics include travel preparation, arriving in Canada, and arriving at UPEI! Sign in with your UPEI email address and password.

Get your documents in order

COVID-19 emergency border measures have ended. However, all students should continue to monitor the IRCC website for any changes. 

Regarding Winter 2023 registrations of courses for international students

To be able to enter Canada as a student, you must meet these requirements:

  1. You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
  2. You must have a valid passport that will not expire in less than six (6) months (US citizens are exempt from this rule).
  3. You must check the Government of Canada website to make sure that you are aware of any border restrictions or special requirements that may arise.
  4. You must have a valid immigration medical (if it was required when you applied).
  5. If you are from a visa required country, you must have a valid visa.
  6. You must be registered full-time for the winter semester (students should not enter Canada until four [4] weeks prior to the start of the semester).

Your travel to Canada will be considered essential (non-discretionary) if you have all of the required documents; you are registered full-time; and, your DLI is on the approved list. Please note that travelling during the pandemic potentially comes with risks; students are fully responsible for making the decision to travel.

The temporary measure introduced by IRCC to allow students to study online as part of their Canadian degree has been extended beyond August 31, 2022. Please see the government of Canada notice issued August 25, 2022. New undergraduate students who have not received approval for a study permit/visa and cannot arrive to Canada before the final add/drop date of January 13, 2023 should request a deferral, and await a decision by the admissions team.

We kindly ask that you submit your request for a deferral before the start of the academic semester on January 4, 2023. The university recommends that students do not study online without knowing if they have been approved to study in Canada. Studying online does not guarantee you that IRCC will approve your application. Students who choose to study online without approval from IRCC are subject to the regular refund policy, and therefore study at their own risk. Please email apply@upei.ca to speak to a first-year adviser. If you would like to discuss your options with a member of the admissions team, please email inte@upei.ca.

Undergraduate international students should receive proof of study permit approval (Letter of Introduction received from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) no later than December 16, 2022 in order to start in the winter 2023 semester. If you are an undergraduate student and you would like to defer your admission to a later semester, please contact inte@upei.ca.

Welcome, incoming international students! We're looking forward to your arrival at UPEI.

Welcome to UPEI New Student Package
UPEI International Student Guide

I have received a letter of acceptance from UPEI. What should I do now?

We are excited to continue these discussions and look forward to having you join us at UPEI. While we cannot provide immigration advice we can direct you to the proper IRCC websites to assist you with your study permit application.

Please visit our Immigration Information page for complete details.

Apply for on-campus housing

You need to apply for on-campus housing (residence) separately. We have some exciting residence options, but spaces are very limited, so apply early. If you apply after March 31, you may not get a space.

Visit the Residence website to complete a residence application. Wondering which residence to choose? Read more about your options.

We can meet you at the airport

We usually can arrange for student volunteers to greet you at the airport. Our airport greeter service has some restrictions (for example, we cannot meet people after 12:30 am, and require sufficient time to arrange for a greeter to pick you up).

NOTE: A decision about our volunteer taxi service will be made closer to the start of the fall semester. The safety of our student volunteers is a top priority, so the decision will be made based on the COVID-19 situation at the time.

Once you arrive at Charlottetown airport, you can take a local taxi to your residence. The local taxi line is located on the left side of the airport's main entrance. There will be taxies waiting when flights come in no matter what time you arrive, and you can also call ahead (before boarding the flight to Charlottetown) to arrange a taxi to pick you up.

Here are some local taxi numbers:

  • City Taxi: 902-892-6567
  • Co-op Taxi: 902-628-8200
  • Grabba Cab: 902-892-6000
  • PEI Online Taxi: 902-370-2258
  • Yellow Cab: 902-566-6666

Important note: You must travel directly from the airport to your new residence. Do not make any stops.

While you wait:

International Students

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