FAQs for New International Students

An immigration medical examination (IME) is usually required for any students coming from or living in a designated country or territory for at least 6 months in a row within the last year, or if the student will attend any placement in teaching or medical environment in Canada.

An IME is usually valid for 12 months since the exam date and needs to be valid upon entry to Canada. Usually, it is first taken during the initial study permit application period, therefore, for students who have been studying outside Canada since their study permit approval, they will need to make sure the IME results are still valid when they travel to Canada.

For continuing students with valid study permits who have left Canada, they might need a new IME result if they have stayed in a designated country or territory for more than 6 months in the past year.

We are working hard to prepare for your arrival and will have a booth at the Calgary airport located at door 12 of arrivals from December 14 to December 30 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. We need your input and flight information to ensure we can schedule the best services for your arrival.

SAIT accepts a number of different payment options from students.

There are now more online payment options for students from Canada, most countries around the world, and in most currencies. There are also various payment options for third parties, such as parents, family, friends or others, to pay fees online.

If you have a Canadian bank account, you can pay with pre-authorized debit (PADs) or Online banking. There are no charges to use these systems. If you use PADS please ensure you carefully check your account information before submitting your payment and be sure to leave sufficient funds in your bank account. It may take a few days for this to process through your bank.

If you don’t have a Canadian bank account, you can pay using a credit card, PayMyTuition, or CIBC International Student Pay portal.

You can access instructions on how to use PayMyTuition in 11 languages, instructions on how to use CIBC International Student Pay portal, PADs, and Online banking by clicking here.

Please refer to the following English Proficiency.

We understand how life can happen and affect your study plan. If you would like to attend SAIT in a future intake, we recommend you read and review the Deferral process. Please note, timing is important when it comes to a refund request. If you are not planning to attend SAIT in the future, please review our refund policy here and cancel your seat in your program.

You do not need an approved study permit to register for your courses. If your study permit is denied, you must contact us to cancel your spot before the first day of classes. If you cancel after this, you will not be eligible to receive a full refund. Review tuition and fees for our full refund policy.

Deferrals cannot be approved if your study permit application is denied. If you wish to move to a later intake for this reason, you will need to cancel your current seat and reapply for a later term by paying the $150 application fee. Review the Deferral process for full international application deferral eligibility rules.

You do not need an approved study permit to register for your courses. If you do not register before the deadline, your seat could be rescinded and offered to someone from the waitlist. If this happens, you will need to contact us to see if there is a still a spot for you in the program which will allow you to choose your courses. If the program is full at that time, you will be placed on the waitlist. Review waitlists to learn your next steps in this situation.

Study permit processing delays may be considered eligible for a deferral in some cases. Supporting documents and proof of study permit application submission are required for consideration. If you wish to pursue a deferral, please read and review the Deferral process and submit the deferral request form by the deadline. A declined study permit is not eligible for a deferral.

You will not be eligible for a full refund if you cancel after the first day of class. Cancellations made after the add/drop period (the first two weeks of the semester) will not receive any money back. If your study permit application is declined, please let us know by submitting a support ticket and request to cancel your application. You will be eligible for a refund of the full amount you paid minus your tuition deposit and application fee if you cancel before the first day of classes. You must include a copy of your refusal letter for us to refund your tuition deposit minus a $250 administration fee. Review our refund policy here.

International students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada require a study permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to study in a program that is longer than six months.

Once you have received your SAIT confirmation/acceptance letter and accompanying documentation for IRCC, you can start the application process for your study permit. The application for your initial study permit must be submitted outside of Canada (if you are already in Canada as a visitor or worker, please contact the International Centre for more information.)
Visit the IRCC website to learn more about how to apply for your initial study permit.

Tips to avoid delays in your study permit application

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Your TVR is a document (counterfoil sticker) issued by IRCC, which is placed in your passport. This means that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident. A TRV can be issued for a single entry or for multiple entries. Typically, international students are issued multiple entry visas.

If you are from a visa-exempt country, you require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of a TRV.

If you are located outside of Canada, please note currently some Visa Application Centres (VAC) are still closed. Please check on the website whether the VACs close to you are open before you go there.
If the time exceeds the 90 days on your biometrics letter and the VACs are still not available for you, you do not need to request a new biometrics letter as the deadline will be automatically extended and your application will not be refused because you can’t provide your biometrics.

If you are located in Canada, please note that IRCC has recently removed the biometrics requirement for temporary residents who apply from inside of Canada. Types of application include:

• A study permit, work permit and visitor record extension
• Temporary residents status restoration
• A new study permit, work permit or visitor visa application
• Temporary resident permit application

For the newest biometrics information, please check the government website here.

If you were not issued a co-op permit along with your study permit and your program has a mandatory work component, then you will need to apply for the co-op work permit online from Canada. You must apply for a co-op work permit before you start your work placement.

For information about working as a co-op student or intern, please check the government website here.

According to the COVID-19 program delivery, students who are already in Canada and have applied for a co-op work permit may begin their co-op placement using their on-campus and off-campus work authorization, provided they meet all the eligibility requirements. Please be mindful of off-campus work hour limitations.

Please click here to read further information about working while waiting for a co-op work permit to be processed.

You are able to take a break from your study if it is your programs scheduled break. Scheduled breaks are part of SAIT’s academic calendar and are pre-scheduled as breaks for all students in a particular program and intake. You should contact your Academic Advisor if you are unsure when is your program scheduled break. International students cannot create their own scheduled breaks.

If you feel you need to take a leave from your studies please contact your school and an International Student Advisor.

Extenuating circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis for an authorized leave. Please note that international students have to complete at least two terms of study before requesting an authorized leave. Please contact International Student Advisors to discuss details at international.advising@sait.ca.

You do not need an approved study permit to register for your courses. If your study permit is denied, you must contact us to cancel your spot before the first day of classes. If you cancel after this, you will not be eligible to receive a full refund. Review refunds for our full refund policy.

SAIT now offers a one-time tuition deposit transfer to any future open intake instead of deferrals. As long as you have not had a previous deferral or tuition deposit transfer, all students are eligible for the transfer. You can make the request through this form. Read more about tuition deposit transfers.

You do not need an approved study permit to register for your courses. If you do not register before the deadline, your seat could be rescinded and offered to someone from the waitlist. If this happens, you will need to contact us to see if there is a still a spot for you in the program which will allow you to choose your courses. If the program is full at that time, you will be placed on the waitlist. Review waitlists to learn your next steps in this situation.

SAIT now offers a one-time tuition deposit transfer to any future open intake instead of deferrals. As long as you have not had a previous deferral or tuition deposit transfer, all students are eligible for the transfer. You can make the request through this form. Read more about tuition deposit transfers.

You will not be eligible for a full refund if you cancel after the first day of class. Cancellations made after the add/drop period (the first two weeks of the semester) will not receive any money back. If your study permit application is declined, please let us know by submitting a support ticket and request to cancel your application. You will be eligible for a refund of the full amount you paid minus your tuition deposit and application fee if you cancel before the first day of classes. You must include a copy of your refusal letter for us to refund your tuition deposit minus a $250 administration fee. Review our full refund policy.

You will receive a confirmation letter which you can use to apply for your study permit after you have paid the tuition deposit listed on your offer letter. This will only be sent if all the following conditions are met in the order listed:

• You have applied for a SAIT program and paid the $150 application fee
• You have submitted the appropriate documentation to verify you meet the admission requirements for your program
• There is space for you in the program
• You have paid the tuition deposit listed on the offer letter you received

Review how to apply for the process from application to acceptance.

Saitsa Health & Dental Plan: All International Students are covered by the Saitsa Health and Dental Plan. The health plan is paid for as part of your tuition with SAIT. Coverage commences on the first day of September, January, or May, based on the semester you begin your studies at SAIT. If you have alternate comparable insurance, you will need to request to opt-out of the Saitsa benefits, if eligible.

For more information please refer to the Saitsa Student Health and Dental Plan page.

Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (ACIP): As an International Student at SAIT, you may be eligible to apply for AHCIP for FREE if you meet the eligibility requirements below:

Eligible residents
You are eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage for FREE if you are:

• legally entitled to be in and remain in Canada and make your permanent home in Alberta
• committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in any 12-month period
• not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another province, territory or country
• any other person deemed by the regulations to be a resident or temporary resident, not including a tourist, transient or visitor to Alberta

Find more information about health care coverage for temporary residents in Alberta here.

Find out what health care services are covered by AHCIP here.

IMPORTANT: If you are under the age 18, you must be added to the AHCIP account of a custodian to be eligible.

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9 digit number that you need to work in Canada or to access government programs and benefits. SIN number is a piece of sensitive personal information so you should protect it. Usually, except for your school or your employer, you should not share it with anybody else.

You can ONLY get your SIN after you’ve arrived in Canada and you retrieved your study permit. In addition, your study permit needs to list your eligibility to work on or off-campus if you meet certain eligibility, e.g. “may work 20 hours per week off-campus or full time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in paragraph 186 (v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations”.

You can apply for a SIN online, by mail or in person at Service Canada. You will mainly need the following documents:

• Your study permit
• Your passport
• Proof of in-Canada address (e.g. bank statement, phone bill or your tenancy agreement)

For detailed instructions, please see here.

1. Update it at mySAIT (choose “my Student” tab, under “Finance Information”, click “Update SIN”)
2. Keep it safe
3. Keep it valid (extend it if your temporary resident status in Canada is extended)

Residents of Canada are required to file taxes to determine their tax status. International students might have tax credits from their paid tuition (reflected on T2202) and it can be carried forward to use in the future. If you have studied or worked in Canada in 2020, you’ll need to file your taxes.

If you have not arrived in Canada since your study permit was approved, you do not need to worry about your tax filing as you are not considered a resident of Canada yet.

If you were studying in Canada before and currently studying outside Canada due to COVID-19 interruption, you can choose to file your tax retroactively in the future as long as you don’t owe income tax to the government of Canada. If you have other income sources from outside Canada or any other questions, please see the Canada Revenue Agency website to learn more about your tax obligation.

Both Residence buildings are located right on campus. Begin Tower offers three spacious living options to choose from; a studio suite, two bedroom suite (shared unit), and our all-new bedroom and den style suite. East Hall offers two spacious living options to choose from; a one-bedroom suite, and a four-bedroom suite (shared unit).

When you live in Residence, the rate you pay covers the following:

• All units come fully furnished with utilities included — water, sewer, trash and high-speed internet.
• Access to all amenities
• Same Rates for all students

To apply for residence at SAIT, you must register and complete a full application with a $50 non-refundable application fee and a $250 refundable security deposit.

The residence fees do not include:

• Meal plan
• Cleaning services
• Laundry fees

At SAIT Residence we give you the privacy and lifestyle you deserve in an on-campus student community that is built specifically with you, the student, in mind.

• 24-hour campus security
• On-site management and maintenance
• Smart card-operated laundry facility
• Yoga Studio
• Cardio Rooms
• Art Room
• Social Lounges

SAIT Residence offers different rates depending on the term of your program. We provide academic year rates, apprentice rates, summer rates, fall rates and early arrivals or extensions.

The rates are based on your building and room preference. For further information, check our website here.

Please note that rates, fees, deadlines and utilities are subject to change and floor plans may vary.

We ask that you and your friend attempt to find each other on the roommate portal when roommate matching is open prior to emailing your request but if you are unable to locate each other both you and your friend can email us requesting to room together. We cannot guarantee that you will be roommates through email requests, but we will do our best to arrange roommates who mutually want to live together.

Yes, the Begin Tower Dining Centre is managed by Hotel Arts and residents can enjoy healthy and comforting food for every palate. Daily culinary adventures with our worldly features alongside your favourite staples.

Begin Tower Dining Centre is open from 7 am to 9 pm — hot entrée- style meals are available during designated meal periods.

The Begin Tower Dining Centre offers semester and apprentice meal plans. Residents can choose from our five- or seven-day option. Day rates and drop in rates are also available.

Yes, you have the privilege of hosting guests, only if you have permission from all of your roommates. Each resident is permitted to have up to two guests with them at a time, guests staying overnight are limited to two nights in a row and no more than ten overnight guest stays per calendar month for each resident.

Your guests are your responsibility, should their actions on campus warrant any disciplinary action you will be subject to the judicial proceedings and penalties of their actions as if the actions were yours. Guests must always be accompanied by their host and must be checked in at the front desk each day they are in the building.

SAIT is a smoke-free campus, effective Aug. 31, 2020. This includes, but is not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vapes, cannabis products, etc.

For students living on campus, SAIT has designated a single smoking area for residents only. Smoking is otherwise prohibited on campus property. Please ask the SAIT Residence staff if you need assistance locating the resident smoking area.