COVID-19 Information for International Applicants
COVID- 19 and Arrival Information for International Applicants
The University will be mandating vaccinations for the University of Guelph community including faculty, staff and students at our Guelph and Ridgetown Campuses and indoors at all U of G-managed field stations. The University of Guelph’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy is in effect until the end of the winter 2022 semester.
For more details regarding the University of Guelph’s current response to the virus please visit the COVID-19 Information webpage.
The University of Guelph’s International Recruitment and Admissions team is working alongside all departments at the University to make accommodations, where possible, for all internationally-based applicants affected by the COVID-19 virus.
Please note, these practices are constantly being reviewed and may change as we learn more.
General International FAQs
My school has closed, and I can't send my transcript(s) to U of G?
Please inform us in writing of your situation and list which courses you were finishing in your final year and ensure that we recieve all of the relevant documents officially or unofficially that you have access to. Admission consideration may be made on earlier years coupled with a list of specific final year required courses and conditions. If you are elgible for admission, official documents will be required by August 13, 2022 or a deadline specified in your offer of admission.
There is a travel advisory for my country – what should I do?
Please connect with the international Student Experinece team if it is related to travel questions: intl.student@uoguelph.ca. If is it admission-related, keep us informed by emailing Andy Moonsammy, including the details of your particular situation, your full name and U of G Student ID.
Can I defer my offer if I cannot travel to Guelph in September?
The deadline for deferrals has passed but if you want to defer your fall 2022 offer due to extenuating circumstances, please contact Andy Moonsammy.
I have general questions about the University of Guelph, who do I need to contact?
Our International Recruitment and Admissions staff and students can be reached online through UniBuddy!
Staff are available during business hours (Monday through Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm EST) to answer any general questions you might have during this difficult time. Please visit the website, scroll down and click on the “staff tab” to reach us.
Current students are also available and require up to 24 hours to respond to any of your questions about their personal student experience (admissions, programs and majors, residence, employment opportunities, living in Canada, etc). Please visit the website, scroll down and click on the “student tab” to reach them.
Where can I find out about registering for classes?
Helpful information will be available in the Registration Guide for New Students, and on WebAdvisor once courses are available for registration. The mode of Delivery will be clear at the time of registration which we anticipate will be in July.
I have reviewed the program information in the Registration Guide, and I still have questions about what courses I should be selecting.
Refer to the list of Program Counsellors for current contact information.
Will I receive a refund if I begin classes online in September but do not receive my study permit?
There are two options for students in this situation. 1) A full refund is granted but your academic record at the university is deleted. 2) No refund but you can retain your academic record at U of G for possible use in the future either at U of G or as transfer credit to another institution. If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your travel plans or Canadian immigration processes and requirements, please reach out to your International Student Advisors before moving forward with your arrangements. They can be reached at international.student.advisor@uoguelph.ca
I need assistance with my immigration or study permit into Canada.
If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your travel plans or Canadian immigration processes and requirements, please reach out to your International Student Advisors before moving forward with your arrangements. They can be reached at international.student.advisor@uoguelph.ca.
Do I need a vaccine to travel to Canada? Can I get one when I arrive?
The University will be mandating vaccinations for the University of Guelph community including faculty, staff and students at our Guelph and Ridgetown Campuses and indoors at all U of G-managed field stations. International students will be eligible for vaccinations based on the same rollout as Canadians. Please see more information here. If you have any questions please contact Student Experience.
Can I get a refund if my study permit is denied?
International applicants who study permit is denied by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may be eligible for a refund of their tuition and fees. Applicants must request a refund, drop their courses through WebAdvisor and forward a copy (PDF) of their IRCC denial letter to accquest@uoguelph.ca. This request must be received within fourteen days of the denial letter date, otherwise, a refund will be denied. Please visit this webpage for further details.
What are the Fall 2022/23 Tuition fees for my degree?
Incoming international students are encouraged to visit our Funding Your Education website for international tuition fees and financial assistance options.
When should I apply for my Study Permit/Visa?
By May 15, 2022. We highly encourage incoming international students to review guidance posted on the IRCC's website outlining Study Permit timelines.
Offer Conditions for International Education Systems
The global impact on school systems, examining boards and international curricula around the world means that the U of G International Admissions team will adapt our evaluating and assessment methods to work with what is possible in your area of the world or for your curriculum type. We will accept adjusted assessment methods as determined by the school system, examining boards or international curriculum provider in order to meet our conditions.
In the event that your schooling type is unable to send us final transcripts or exam results by the document deadline, we will consider the documents submitted to date as final and as meeting offer conditions. If you anticipate that you will receive your graduating document but that it won't be available prior the August 13th, 2022 final document deadline, and you have not recieved a letter regarding an October 1, 2022 deadline extension, but you need one, please contact Andy Moonsammy to book a WebEx appointment. Andy is also available for anyone to connect with regarding any challenges or concerns you may have regarding offer conditions.
Residence FAQs
Below are some of the most common questions we receive regarding Student Housing. For more information on housing please visit the Student Housing FAQ page.
If I have already submitted my application and deposit, do I need to resubmit?
No, your current application remains active. If you have applied, but not yet paid your deposit, please do so by June 1 to confirm your guarantee. We ask that you log in to your active application and review it for accuracy. We have added a new question about vaccination that should be completed before we start room assignments. You can log back in to your application through the Housing Portal.
Can I update my application to change my preferred room type or residence location?
Yes, you can log back in to your active application and adjust your preferences on the Housing Portal.
Will triple and quad rooms be available?
No, we are limiting assignments to single and double rooms only.
What if I have special circumstances?
If you have a medical condition or other circumstance that may impact your residence assignment please visit housing.uoguelph.ca/specialaccommodation or reach out to us by email at housing@uoguelph.ca or by phone at 519-824-4120 ext. 58700.
Will Living Learning Centres and Academic Clusters be available?
We will be offering the following Living Learning Centres this fall: Indigenous House, International House, Eco House, La Maison Française and Arts House. Academic Clusters will be available in all programs. Locations for each cluster have not yet been confirmed. Learn more about all of our Residence Learning Communities.
When will I know my room assignment?
We are anticipating that room assignments will be released at the end of July. You will receive an email to your @uoguelph.ca account from Residence Admissions to let you know that your room assignment is posted on the Housing portal with instructions on how to view it.
If I submitted the residence deposit and decide not to live in residence, will I get this deposit back?
If you change your mind before July 15, you will receive a refund of $500 of the $750 deposit. If you receive an offer and cancel AFTER July 15, you will not receive a refund.
Can I still live in residence if some (or all) of my courses are online?
The University of Guelph is planning for face-to-face delivery for most courses. It is anticipated some faculty will leverage remote technologies and teaching approaches that have proven effective during the past year to make greater use of blended and hybrid teaching. This will not affect your residence guarantee. For up-to-date information on course delivery, visit the University of Guelph COVID information page.
If COVID numbers continue to increase, what will happen if you need to reduce the numbers in residence?
In consultation with our Public Health unit, we have protocols in place to reduce the potential for transmission of the virus. Further restrictions (such as no gathering and isolation practices) will be implemented as needed. We will continue to follow our outbreak response plan. With mandiated vaccinations and education of our students, we are optimistic that we can offer a safe and supportive residential environment for our incoming students.
Want to Defer?
The deadline for deferrals has passed but if you want to defer your fall 2022 offer due to extenuating circumstances, please contact Andy Moonsammy.
Contact Us
For any questions not listed on this page regarding exceptions needed to support your application to the University of Guelph, internationally based students should contact:
- Applicants and Schools: Andy Moonsammy – Manager, International Admissions at amoonsam@uoguelph.ca
- Agents: Amy Van Rensburg – Manager, International Recruitment at avanrens@uoguelph.ca
- Transfer/Non-Semester 1 students: applicant@uoguelph.ca
To reach us by phone during normal business hours, please visit the Meet the Team webpages for the appropriate extension numbers.