Once you arrive in Canada, there may be people you should reach out to and advise that you have safely arrived. You should contact them as soon as you reach your destination and let them know you are doing well and how they can contact you.
We are here to help! Niagara College has an International Office at each campus to help make your life easier.
Do you have questions about your program, visas, housing and more? This is the spot to be! With Niagara College specialists and student staff working there who speak multiple languages called Student Assistants, our team is available to help you throughout your Niagara College journey and hope that you have the best student experience possible. We are all excited to meet you and welcome you to Canada.
A new country can be an overwhelming experience, so prepare yourself as best you can by doing some research on the Niagara Region and the neighbouring areas. Even so, it can sometimes feel lonely when you first arrive, so be sure to bring a few reminders of home.
- Learn about travelling in Canada and living in Niagara. If you would like to drive while in Canada, you will need to bring your driver’s license with you and then apply for a Canadian one when you arrive.
- If you want to visit the United States (US), as many students do, we strongly encourage you to apply for your US entry visa from your home country, as it is often easier to do that than obtain one from Canada.
Most students arrange for a cell phone rather than land-based telephones. If you are looking to buy a brand-new phone in Canada, you have options to purchase it directly from an authorized dealer in stores. There are many service providers such as: Bell Mobility, Rogers, AT&T, Fido, to name just a few of the many options! Before choosing a service you should thoroughly compare what each company offers and then sign with the one that best suits your needs.
If you’re interested in a land-based phone there are two major providers: Bell Canada and Rogers. For more information, please visit their websites.
Having a bank account is one of the main priorities all international students require, as this will help avoid carrying large amounts of cash around. The primary banks or trust companies are: TD Canada Trust, CIBC, Scotia Bank, BMO Bank of Montreal and RBC Royal Bank.
Please make sure you have the following documents when you visit your chosen financial institution to open your bank account for the first time:
- Your Valid Passport
- Landing Documents (IMM 1442 or 1208) or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
- Letter of Acceptance of Confirmation of Enrolment
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Proof of Address (may not be required, but strongly encouraged)
If you would like assistance opening a Canadian bank account come speak with a Student Assistant at the International Centre!
If you are not being met at the airport by anyone, the best way to get to your destination is through our Airport Pickup Service. Alternatively, you can use Go Transit to travel from the airport to the Niagara Region. Within the Niagara Region are numerous bus route options to ensure safe transportation options for all of your travelling needs.
For more information on bus passes, please visit our NC SAC webpage, and to review available bus routes within Niagara, please visit the Regions Transit Route web page.
Our Career Services area can assist you in a job search as well as resume reviews, cover letter critiques, interview tips and job search strategy-coaching. Please visit our Career Services website.
Planning and persistence are key to finding a job. There are lots of opportunities for work in Canada, but you might find that getting a job can be challenging. The process is probably different from the one you’re used to in your home country and can take anywhere between a couple of weeks to months. You will need access to personal savings to get you started in Canada.
As a part of the study permit application process, applicants are required to prove they have the financial support to be able to study and live in Canada – please refer to IRCC Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada guide for study permit applications made outside of Canada.