Greetings!
We hope you are starting to get excited about beginning your program at SAIT in Fall 2020!

At this time, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules for essential and non-essential travel continue to be in enforced at the Canadian border.

If you are in a blended program, your travel is considered essential. Please read the following sections on how to ensure that you are prepared to travel to Canada.

If you are in an online or e-learning program, your travel to Canada is considered non-essential. Please read the section for students in an online or e-learning program.

Irrespective of which type of program you're in, SAIT International Centre is excited to meet you online at Orientation!

Warm Regards,
SAIT International Centre
Minimum Requirements to Travel

In order to be able to travel to Canada for the Fall 2020 semester, you have to satisfy the following minimum conditions:

  • Must have a study permit or study permit approval dated March 18, 2020 or earlier

  • Federally-compliant quarantine plan (with proof)


  • Travel support letter from SAIT (see process below)

  • Proof that you are not travelling earlier than August 17, 2020
Students in a Blended Program

Is my travel considered essential?

As a student in a blended program at SAIT, your travel to Canada is considered essential, non-discretionary and mandatory since there are practical components of your program that you will have to attend in person on the SAIT campus.

SAIT will provide you with a support letter for your travel to Canada.


How do I apply for the support letter for international travel as a blended student?

If you are a student in a blended program, we will issue you a letter of support for your travel to Canada. To apply for this letter (blended students only!), please send all of the following in ONE EMAIL as soon as you have all of the information:

  • Proof that study permit approval was issued before March 18, 2020


  • Proof of payment for two weeks of stay at SAIT Residence Quarantine Quarters (this is a mandatory component, no alternative accommodation is allowed)

  • A copy of your flight ticket (your travel date can be no earlier than August 17 and please ensure you do not have extensive layovers if you are landing in other Canadian cities)


  • Subject line of email must be "BLENDED PROGRAM SUPPORT LETTER FALL 2020"

  • Please email all the above documents in one email to [email protected] and make sure to include your full name, your SAIT ID, and your program of study.


When will I receive my support letter?

Once we receive all this information, we will verify it against our records. You will then be issued your support letter for international travel for your blended program.

If you have sent us all the requested documents and we do not need to reach out to you for additional information, the letters will be issued within one week from the receipt of your email request.

Please make sure to apply for the support letter well in advance of your scheduled date of travel.

How do I apply for the SAIT Residence Quarantine Quarters?

Please see the following sections for information on how to apply and how to pay for the SAIT quarantine package.

Please note that all SAIT students coming to Canada MUST quarantine only on the SAIT campus. No alternate quarantine plans will be allowed and the support letter will not be provided.

The SAIT quarantine plan is approved by the Federal Government of Canada and is IRCC and Public Health Agency of Canada compliant. It has been designed not only keeping in mind the health and safety of our incoming students but also to ensure an all-encompassing quarantine package for students who are unfamiliar with Calgary.

👉 Please note that the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has final authority on who can cross the Canadian border.
Students in Online and E-Learning Programs

Please note that if your program is online or e-learning, your travel to Canada is considered NON-ESSENTIAL. In this case, we strongly recommend and encourage you to take advantage of online studies.

With online studies you can:

  • Get a world-class education from the comfort of your home

  • Save on living and travel expenses while studying outside Canada

  • Continue to be eligible for the full length of your Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if you get in-principle study permit approval before your program begins

  • Travel to Canada when there is no risk of you being turned back at the border for non-essential travel

If you have a valid reason to travel even though your travel is deemed non-essential (please note that time change is not considered to be a valid reason) and you understand there is a high risk of you being turned away at the Canadian border, please request for a support letter from SAIT.


👉 For students in online or e-learning programs, support letters will be issued on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of the SAIT International Centre

How do I apply for the support letter for international travel as a online/e-learning student?

If you are a student in an online or e-learning program, please send us an email with all the following information in ONE EMAIL :

  • Explanation of why you want to travel to Canada (reason must prove your travel is essential)

  • Proof of the explanation above (e.g: if internet issues are a reason then proof of internet speed must be provided to show that the student cannot study at current speed and no alternatives are available)

  • Proof that study permit approval was issued before March 18, 2020

  • Subject line of email must be "ONLINE/ELEARNING PROGRAM SUPPORT LETTER FALL 2020"

  • Please email all the above documents in one email to [email protected] and make sure to include your full name, your SAIT ID, and your program of study.

Once we receive this information, we will assess your request on a case-by-case basis and get in touch with you directly with our final decision. Please allow a week for this process. Applying for the support letter does not guarantee that the SAIT International Centre will issue you a letter.


👉 Please note that the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has final authority on who can cross the Canadian border. You will be responsible for all cost associated with CBSA's refusal to let you enter Canada.
Apply for SAIT Residence Quarantine Quarters

SAIT has submitted a quarantine plan to the Federal Government of Canada and is providing an IRCC, Government of Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada-compliant quarantine plan for students flying to Canada for the Fall 2020 semester.

Is there any important information I should know about quarantine?

Yes, following the rules of quarantine are VERY important! The quarantine plan is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms.

  • Please note that all new international students MUST quarantine at the SAIT on-campus quarantine quarters. No alternate accommodations are permitted for quarantine for Fall 2020 intake students.

  • Please make sure to follow the rules for quarantine at all times and do not leave your room unless you have a medical emergency. As per Government rules, persons who are found to be non compliant with the quarantine regulations will be:
  • fined $750,000
  • jailed for 6 months OR
  • will be deported and banned from re-entering Canada for 1 year

  • Please note that you will not be allowed to attend in-person classes until you complete your 14-day quarantine. Please make sure you schedule your travel accordingly.

What does the SAIT quarantine package include?

This 14-day plan includes:

  • SAIT Welcome Booth at the Calgary Airport (Quarantine info packet will be provided)

  • Taxi from the Calgary Airport to the SAIT campus

  • Accommodation in our state-of-the art Residence facilities on campus (14 days)

  • Three meals a day delivered to your room (14 days)

  • Free access to fresh linen and towels

  • 24-hour on-site security

  • Free wifi

  • Special requests can be made by calling the Reception Desk

  • Access to SAIT Safety Ambassadors

How do I apply for the quarantine package?

To apply for the SAIT Quarantine package:


  • Choose SAIT Short Term Stay 2020-2021 in your application.

How much does the package cost?

The price for 14 days would be approximately $1,555:

  • $855 for accommodation and local transport

  • $700 for food (approximately $50/day x 14 days) 

Who do I contact if I have questions regarding the quarantine package?

If you have questions regarding the accommodation, meals or payment please email Tori at [email protected]


👉 Please note that the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has final authority on who can cross the Canadian border. In the unfortunate event that you are not allowed to enter the country, SAIT will refund your quarantine package fees (minus the $50 application fee).
Questions?

Email us at [email protected] with your full name, SAIT ID, program and question.