New Information for International Students Preparing to Travel to Canada:
NEW! Please refer to the recent IRCC announcement regarding travel to Canada: Starting January 7, 2021, anyone flying to Canada from another country, unless exempted, will be required to provide written or electronic documentation showing they received a negative result from a COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to their scheduled boarding.
The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Without a negative COVID-19 test, travelers will be denied boarding onto their flight.
Please review additional information on this announcement here.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced changes to travel restrictions that will facilitate the entry of international students into Canada and Bow Valley College.
The Government of Alberta has implemented a pilot program for eligible individuals who arrive through Calgary as a port of entry, to participate in a reduced quarantine period. Please review the quarantine guide for more information.
Only students who possess a POE letter with a VISA, or a study permit, are eligible to arrive to Canada.
Please review the following steps to make informed plans for travelling to Canada:
- Review the Student Quarantine Guide, to understand what you need to include in your quarantine plan, and what to expect during your 14-day quarantine, if you are approved to travel to Canada.
- If this is your first time submitting the quarantine plan, please provide it through this link.
- If your travel itinerary or other details require updates, please use this link and submit a new quarantine plan.
- If you are arriving with a family member(s) each family member must be identified in the quarantine plan.
- Students with complete quarantine plans, will be issued a travel support letter, and pre-departure checklist.
- Submit your quarantine plan to the Government of Canada, through the ArriveCAN mobile app.
- Submit your Alberta Isolation Questionnaire to the Government of Alberta.
- Download the ABTraceTogether mobile app.
- Upon your arrival to Calgary please complete the arrival form that will be sent via email.
- Students will be required to complete their check-ins for 14 days, which will be received through email.
Hotels for Quarantine
International students must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada (starting from the date you arrive in Canada). If you are considering a hotel or motel for your quarantine, the Hampton Inn (traditional guestrooms) and Homewood Suites (suites with kitchens) offer our students discounted rates. Please review the links below for more information and to book your stay:
- Hilton Garden Inn (Downtown Area)
- Homewood Suites (Downtown Area)
- Hampton Inn (Airport North East Area)
- Homewood Suites (Airport North East Area)
- Sandman Hotel & Suites (Airport North East Area)
Housing
Bow Valley College does not offer on or off-campus housing, however we offer a list of resources for housing options, including, homestay, rentals, and student housing at SAIT.
Please note that Bow Valley College is not affiliated with any of these companies. We cannot guarantee the quality of service or accommodation.
Homestay and student residence
- Pick Homestay and Airport Pick-up: Bow Valley College students receive a discount with Pick Homestay. It allows international students to live with a host family and have an amazing cultural experience.
- Canada Homestay International: Allows international students to live in a Canadian home as a member of the family.
- SAIT residence: Bow Valley College students are eligible to live in SAIT residence.
- Places4Students.com has partnered with SABVC to ensure that you can find affordable off-campus housing.
Rental options
- Students' Association of Bow Valley College (SABVC): Off-campus housing ads listed through SABVC.
- Rent Faster
- Rent Spot
- Rentals.ca
- Capreit
- Rent Seeker
- Search for Student Housing
- Mainstreet Apartments
These websites provide information on the rights of renters and landlords:
Medical Health Insurance
Insurance Coverage
Students arriving before the start of class, must ensure they possess their own private medical or travel insurance that covers medical expenses in Canada. This coverage must be valid until the start of their term. After the start of their term, mandatory student insurance plans will come into effect.
For career students:
Career students can request a copy of their Gallivan insurance card from the Student Benefits Plan Office at bowvalleyplan@mystudentplan.ca. Click here for additional information on the student benefits plan.
For ELL students:
All ELL students receive their Guard.me insurance cards via email within the first week of classes. If you do not have your card, please email issc@bowvalleycollege.ca
For all students:
All students must enroll themselves in the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan when they arrive. Registration is not automatic.
Alberta Health Care Insurance is a basic health care coverage that is administered and governed by the provincial Government of Alberta. All eligible recipients are required by law to be covered by this insurance plan.
Students must enrol themselves for Alberta Health Care Insurance when they arrive and establish a residence in Alberta, registration is not automatic. For specific details on Alberta Health Care Insurance benefits and how to register please refer to the website health.alberta.ca.
Other links of interest:
To find health care information, please visit Alberta Health Services' website.
