New International Student Arrival

Below is everything you will need to know for arriving at the Providence Downtown Campus!

International Health Plan:

It is mandatory for all international students to purchase Guard.me International Health Insurance, even if they already have travel health insurance from their own country.

Guard.me for Individuals

To purchase the insurance, visit the Guard.me website. Guard.me accepts any major credit card, visa debit, and PayPal.

Students are required to purchase health insurance through Guard.me prior to their arrival at Providence. Students will not be permitted to attend classes until their enrollment in Guard.me is confirmed.

Guard.me coverage provides benefits resembling Manitoba health (up to a limit of $5,000,000) as well as providing additional coverage for prescription medicines, accidental dental, ambulance, semi-private hospital room and many other benefits. Full details of coverage provided by the plan can be found on the Guard.me website in several languages. A visit to a hospital in Canada without insurance can cost between $1000-$1500 CAD and that is BEFORE any treatment.

Accident insurance is provided for all students while attending or participating at any Providence sponsored activity approved by and/or supervised by the University College or Seminary, such as Athletic and other student events, which includes travel to and from such activities.

Guard.me for Families

Students bringing families with them to Canada will be required to obtain insurance for all of their family members. Children of international students cannot attend Canadian schools without Health Insurance. There is a discount for families after 4 members are signed up.

Students who have a spouse with a full-time job in Canada can get Manitoba Health and will not be required to purchase Guard.me Insurance, provided they show proof of coverage by Manitoba Health.

The nearest international airport to the school is the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG).

When you first arrive in Canada, you’ll meet a border services officer who will make sure you meet some basic requirements. To enter Canada, you must:

  • have a valid travel document, such as a passport
  • have the port of entry letter of introduction the visa office sent you when they approved your study permit
    • This letter has your permit reference number, which we use to issue your study permit.
  • have a copy of a valid letter of acceptance from your school
  • have letters of reference or any other documents the visa office told you to bring
  • have either a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
    • If you have a valid eTA, it will be linked to the passport you used to apply for your study permit.
  • have enough money for your stay (the amount you will need can vary—it depends on things such as how long you will stay, and whether you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives)
  • be in good health
  • have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
  • convince an immigration officer that
    • you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
    • you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
  • have valid immigration medical exam results (if you needed one)
    • Your exam is valid for 12 months from the day you get it.
    • It must be valid the day you enter Canada.
    • If your exam will expire before you enter Canada, you need to get another medical exam.
      • This applies even if your letter of introduction is still valid.
  • prove that you’ll leave Canada at the end of your stay

Transportation from Airport to Downtown:

To get to your rental accommodation or hotel from the airport you should use a taxi service. Taxi service from the airport is provided by Unicity Taxi and they are available on Arrivals Level 1 near Door 3 of the terminal. It is best to book a taxi by either calling 204-925-3131 or making reservations online by downloading the Unicity Taxi Winnipeg app from the App Store or Google Play. We recommend you arrive minimum a few days prior to the program start date to make all necessary living arrangements.

List of hotels that offer shuttle service to and from the airport:

  1. Best Western Plus Downtown Winnipeg 204-942-0101 www.bestwestern.com
  2. Best Western Pembina Inn & Suites 204-269-8888 www.bestwesternpembina.com
  3. Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garr 204-261-7450 www.canadinns.com
  4. Canad Inns HSC 204-594-9472 www.canadinns.com
  5. Canad Inns Polo Park 204-775-8791 www.canadinns.com
  6. Clarion Hotel 204-774-5110 www.clarionhotelwinnipeg.com
  7. Courtyard by Marriott Winnipeg-Airport 204-505-8600 www.courtyardwpg.com
  8. Fairfield Inn & Suites 204-783-7900 www.fairfieldinnwinnipeg.com
  9. Hilton Garden Inn Winnipeg South 204-594-7436 www.hilton.com
  10. Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites 204-783-1700 www.hilton.com

Arrival Dates

We recommend you arrive a few days prior to the program start date to make all necessary living arrangements.

Orientation

International Orientation is required by the Canadian Government for all Designated Learning Institutions. It is mandatory for all international students, including students from the USA. During orientation you will be introduced to Providence and life in Manitoba and Canada and how to get a Social Insurance Number, sign up for a bank account, get a phone SIM card, buy bedding, etc.

Additional Charges

If you miss orientation without a valid excuse, you will be charged $325.00 to cover the costs for personal orientation.

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