International Student Services

• Apply to Ryerson
• Accommodation
• Pre-Arrival Checklist
• Personal Journal
• Travel Information
• Guide to Toronto

• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions

It is highly recommended that you secure housing prior to arriving in Toronto.

Two possibilities include applying for on-campus residence or arranging for short-term temporary accommodations in order to give you the opportunity to look for something long-term off-campus.

While private housing may be found in Toronto after arrival, housing suitable for students is limited, particularly during the back to school period in late August and early September. A standard private residential lease is one year. Inexpensive short term housing (5-6 months) is more difficult to arrange. Keep in mind that most landlords will require you to pay first and last month's rent up front.

• Follow the steps toapply for your study permit for the first time. For those students who already have a Study Permit but need to extend it, click here for details and application forms.
• If you are entering from outside of Canada, you may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
• An excellent source of Canadian immigration information is the Canadian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy in your country, click here to find the closest visa office to submit your application.
• Consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for more immigration information.
• Purchase travel insurance to cover the time period from date of departure until arrival at Ryerson. Every full-time international student will have mandatory health coverage under the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).
• Visit a physician and dentist before departure to Canada.
• Bring a copy of your health records, with information on allergies and immunizations, especially in the case of previous medical concerns or an existing medical condition.
• Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses if appropriate.
• Be sure to carry adequate prescription medication, if required. When traveling to Canada, it is best to have a doctor's note for injection kits for students who are insulin dependent.
• Apply for residence or arrange short-term housing or off-campus housing.
• Arrange to arrive in Canada with at least $200 in Canadian currency and about $1000 in traveler's cheques to cover initial expenses.
• Buy a phone card (available at the airport and at convenience stores) for emergency purposes.
• Put emergency numbers for your home country and Canada in your phone book.
• Leave copies of your documents with family members at home.

Consider keeping a personal journal to chronicle your overseas experience. Such a journal can be a record of both your experiences for later reflection and can also provide a primary source of documentation regarding immigration details and emergency numbers, etc. We also recommend that you maintain a file containing all correspondence with Ryerson.

Complete the steps outlined on the Pre-Arrival Checklist. The following website provides general travel information and tips:

• Canada.Travel

The following links are also useful if you are new in Toronto.

• Toronto Tourism
• All you need to know about Toronto!
• Toronto.com