VISA/Study Permit Delays

Information for International Students Arriving Late Due to VISA Delays

We urge ALL STUDENTS experiencing delays with their VISA/Study Permits to contact the International & Exchange Student Centre: https://www.uwo.ca/international/iesc/

If you are an international student who expects to arrive late to campus because your VISA/Study Permit has been delayed, you need not worry as long as you arrive before September 15. Catching up on missed work after a short absence and by the add deadline will be manageable.

If there are class components missed in this short time frame, contact your instructor for guidance on how to proceed. Please be aware that catching up on missed course components after a short absence will be your responsibility.   

International students, who expect their absence to run into the end of September may contact our office to discuss their options. Connect with us through our help portal: https://help.sci.uwo.ca/servicedesk/customer/portal/9

Regretfully, Social Science is not able to offer academic consideration for longer absences; nor can our professors offer online options for courses offered in blended or in-person formats. Students who will arrive after September 15 are advised to select courses offered online in the first term. We understand this may not be feasible for all classes and course planning may need to be adjusted to accommodate longer absences. Some suggestions we have made to students in this case include:

  1. Focusing on electives in first term, since electives often allow for more flexibility and broadens your online choices
  2. Taking breadth and/or essay course requirements in first term that are offered online – these courses are required for all undergraduates in Social Science
  3. Requesting a Letter of Permission, which allows Western students to take courses at another university, assuming approval is granted, and eligibility requirements are met e.g., you must be a student in YR 2 or above to qualify, and be in good academic standing
  4. Reducing your course load in first term, if permitted, or taking a Leave of Absence – please check in with Western International to discuss your eligibility before making a decision on this option 

Please visit Western’s Timetable for Fall/Winter 2023-2024 to search for courses offered exclusively online: https://studentservices.uwo.ca/secure/timetables/mastertt/ttindex.cfm. When you visit this site, please set the Course Delivery Type filter to Distance Studies/Online. 

We are here to help! Our Departmental Advisors can assist you with questions about online courses and access.  Please see this link for their contact information: https://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/connect/department_advisors.html.

Other inquires should be submitted through our Social Science Academic Counselling Help Portal, which can be found on our home page: https://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/.