Frequently Asked Questions: International Students

To aid in difficulties with your student’s study, Student Learning Commons, Academic advisors, TA & Instructor office hours are great resources to improve academic standings.

Accommodations for On and off-campus information can be found here.

SFU is bound by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP).  This Act prevents us from releasing information to anyone except the student in question without written permission from that student.  If you would like to be able to act on behalf of your child, or receive information on your child, we will need written consent from him/her indicating that he/she grants permission for us to release information to you.

Information about tuition fees of international students click here.

Information about employment of international students click here.

Information about career services click here.

Your son/daughter must have health insurance for the entire duration of his/her studies at SFU. The Canadian health system provides a high standard of health care, but medical care is very expensive without insurance.
In Canada, there are generally two types of insurance: basic and extended. Basic health insurance typically covers visits to doctors, hospital stays and diagnostic medical testing. Basic health insurance is mandatory for all SFU students. Extended health insurance generally covers vision care, prescription drugs and dental care. Further information on application procedures is provided at international student orientation and may also be found here.

Depending on your citizenship, you may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. To assist with your visa application, your son/daughter may provide a letter of invitation along with a current letter of enrollment and photocopies of his/her immigration documents.

If you need to arrange for temporary off-campus accommodation for a few days,  you may contact SFU Conferences & Accommodation: www.sfu.ca/conference-accommodation

Different support services for international students are listed below:

Orientation
Clubs
International Student Handbook
SFU International Mentorship Program
ISA advising services

Simon Fraser University offers many extracurricular activities for students to meet others. For a list of student clubs click here.
SFU International has an International Mentorship Program which offers international students a chance to meet new people.

At International Services for Students we offer the International Mentorship Program to help international students adjust to like in Canada. In addition, Heath & Counselling Services and  ISA services are available to help students with any questions or concerns that may arise.

The Interfaith Centre at SFU is available for students.

If your son/daughter is graduating from a degree, diploma or certificate program (of at least eight months' duration) at SFU, he/she may apply for a Work Permit that will allow work off campus for up to three years after graduation, depending on the length of the program completed.  Post-graduation work permits are issued as "open" work permits, meaning that once your son/daughter successfully applies for and receives a post-graduation work permit, he/she may work for ANY employer. He/she may also change employers within the period of authorization without applying for a change of conditions.

There are a number of different categories of Permanent Residence applications and each have specific requirements as they relate to employment requirements, labour market trends, education and language abilities. A minimum of one year of work experience in managerial, professional or technical positions (i.e., at level 0, A or B under the National Occupational Classification system) will be necessary to apply for most Permanent Residence programs.
International Student Advisors will be available throughout your son/daughter’s time at SFU to provide the most update-to-date information and assist in planning his/her immigration future.
For further information on the different types of Permanent Residence Categories that currently exist, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.