The Guide for New Students (PDF) is a comprehensive handbook on how to prepare for your exchange to Nipissing University.
Housing
Exchange Students
Space is reserved in our 4 on-campus residences for exchange students. You can live in any of our residence complexes. For more information please visit our residence website.
Note: Exchange students are not required to pay their residence deposit prior to arrival at Nipissing. Please do not send money before arrival. (paymytution payment)
What items are provided for exchange students living on-campus?
Students are provided with sheets, a pillow and quilt plus a kit containing dishes, cutlery and cooking pots. All utilities and phone service are included. There is no mandatory meal plan for the on-campus residences, but an optional meal plan is available.
Costs and Fees
Most exchange students will pay tuition fees to their home institution rather than Nipissing University. However, in certain cases, incoming international exchange student will pay tuition fees at the Canadian domestic rate as noted in the International Student Handbook. If you are a fee-paying exchange this will be noted in your acceptance letter from Nipissing University.
Fees for exchange students
Note: The fees are subject to increase each academic year.
Immigration
You do not need a study permit if your studies in Canada will be less than 6 months.
If your studies are more than 6 months or if you would like to have the option to work on campus, you need a study permit. Application instructions for a study permit are available at the website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Your acceptance letter from Nipissing will be part of the documentation you must include with your study permit application.
Most international students need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.
- If you apply for a study permit, your TRV or eTA will be issued to you automatically
- If you don’t need a study permit, check to see if you need a TRV or an eTA. You should indicate that you plan to “visit Canada” or “visit as a tourist”. This letter may be used in a TRV application to explain the purpose of your visit to Canada.
Who Needs a Study Permit?
Most international students need a study permit to study at a Canadian university.
Most students must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for their study permit before coming to Canada to study.
These are general rules, but there are exceptions.
Citizens and permanent residents of the United States may apply for a study permit as they enter Canada.
A study permit holder has temporary resident status in Canada. They may remain in Canada and study at a Designated Learning Institution for the period indicated on the permit. Most Nipissing students have a study permit that indicates they may also do some work in Canada.
It’s important for students to know the terms and conditions that apply to study permit holders in Canada as well as what work may be authorized by their study permit. Students who don’t meet the conditions that apply to their status are at risk of losing their status and being asked to leave Canada.
Note: You may be required to provide Biometrics (fingerprints and photos) with your application. Please refer to the instruction guide in your application package, and/or visit this website for more details.
Students who require a visa should submit a copy of their Letter of Acceptance with their visa application to the nearest Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.
Orientation
An orientation session is offered in August/September for students attending in the Fall term and in December/January for students attending in the Winter term.
The session provides information and resources to help students transition successfully to student life at Nipissing.
All exchange students are required to participate in the session preceding the start of their exchange term.
Students are provided with the session details in advance.
