International FAQs

We accept the Duolingo English Test. It is an English proficiency test taken online anytime. No travel to a test center or appointment is needed, you can take the test on a computer with a camera.  It will cost $49 USD and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample. These are shared with CMTN when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session. CMTN recognizes overall 95 score on Duolingo English Test equivalent to IELTS 6.0.

We also have another online English upgrading program available with our partner institution. Please contact international@coastmountaincollege.ca to find out more.

No, you cannot register for your first-term courses yourself. Your first-term courses will be registered with the support of our international advising office. You will need to email a copy of your study permit approval letter (Letter of Introduction) as soon as you receive it to international@coastmountaincollege.ca and includes your student number in the email. Your study permit approval status will then be input into our system up to 5-7 working days. Our advising team will reach out to you regarding course registration information. All your course registration (for the first term) will be done through the international advising office. Note: Without a copy of the study permit approval, you won’t be eligible to register for courses.

If you are already in Canada with a study permit, IRCC recommends you participate in in-person courses for the upcoming term wherever possible. However, there is no negative impact on your Post Graduation Work Permit if you have to take online courses due to COVID-19.

You must still maintain all eligibility criteria for a Post Graduation Work Permit throughout your studies.

You will need to have your official Letter of Acceptance to Coast Mountain College. Please visit canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html on how to start an application. You may also refer to this link on our website for additional information: https://www.coastmountaincollege.ca/international/how-to-apply/study-permits

IRCC is still processing study permit applications. Please visit canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html on how to start an application.

You are ineligible to register for courses without a study permit decision. If you are still waiting on a decision for study permit, you may defer your application to the next available intake. Once your study permit has been approved, kindly email us a copy of your study permit approval letter (also known as Letter of Introduction) to international@coastmountaincollege.ca and includes CMTN student number in the email. Without a copy of valid study permit approval letter, you won’t be able to register for courses.

You are eligible for a tuition deposit refund, less a $250 administration fee and the $100 non refundable application fee. We must have a copy of your refusal letter from IRCC before starting the refund process. Please review our refund policy here. You can find a copy of the Refund or Deferral form here.

At this time, you must be approved for a study permit in order to register for courses and attend. Most courses have now resumed back to in-person instruction. Please ensure you send a copy of your immigration documents to international@coastmountaincollege.ca with your student number in the subject line.

Make sure we have a copy of both your study permit approval letter (aka POE Letter of Introduction) and your Temporary Resident Visa (counterfoil in passport). You must then notify the International Student Advisor – Myrna MacConnachie (mmacconnachie@coastmountaincollege.ca) of any travel intentions. With the approved study permit letter, our international advisor will be able to reach out to you for course registration. Please check your emails often. 

Email a scanned copy of your documents to international@coastmountaincollege.ca including your student number. We will keep a record on your student profile.

As of October 1, 2022, the Government of Canada ended all COVID-19 border measures. However, students still need to carry the required documentation ready for presentation at the Port of Entry.

If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you will be required to quarantine for 14 days. We strongly recommend you plan this quarantine period in Vancouver (Port of Entry). Only after completing the 14 days without feeling any symptoms of COVID 19 can a student proceed to their campus location.

The College has partnered with hotels in the Vancouver area to provide students with affordable nightly rates (page 9 of CMTN travel and quarantine document).

If you are fully vaccinated, please ensure you can safely isolate in a space where you will have no physical contact with others. 

Make sure we have a copy of your study permit approval and that your registration for first term is complete. Arrival to campus location should be planned 7 days before the term starts.

Contact the International Student Advisor, Myrna MacConnachie, to discuss your options and any implications.

Yes. Please complete the Acknowledgement of Travel Plan form once your travel plans have been finalized. This is to help us better support you in your journey to Canada, and provide any follow up if necessary.

As per IRCC, there is no set timeframe for when you should arrive to Canada before your studies. However, you will need to consider the following:

• You are not permitted to work on or off campus until your program begins
• Your temporary health insurance, GuardMe, will not begin until 7 days before your program start date. Therefore, you are strongly recommended to travel with your own health insurance for additional coverage until your program begins. It is not advised to travel without any health insurance.

Due to the ease in restrictions for entering Canada, the College no longer provides Letters of Support. Students are responsible for carrying all required documentation ready for presentation. The decision to enter Canada is up to the border services officer.

You are eligible to work off-campus if you fulfill ALL requirements below: 

1. Hold a valid study permit in Canada, and
2. Your program of study has started, and
3. Your valid study permit states you are authorized to work on or off-campus, and
4. Meet ALL other eligibility requirements stated on the IRCC website (such as being a full-time student at a DLI, enrolled in a program of study that is at 6 months long, etc)

If your study permit does not state you are authorized to work on or off campus, please contact International Student Advisor, Myrna MacConnachie.

If you are eligible, you can work off-campus up to 20 hours during regular academic terms. During scheduled breaks, you may work more than 20 hours a week provided that you maintain your eligibility to work off campus and you are resuming your studies the following academic term.

**Important Update from IRCC: From November 15, 2023 until December 31, 2023, you can work more than 20 hours per week off campus during regular academic terms. Please review the additional eligibility criteria for this new temporary measure.

International students are reminded to continue to actively pursue their studies. Off campus work eligibility and Post Graduation Work permit eligibility still apply. If you have any questions or concerns about the new temporary measure, please contact the International Student Advisor, Myrna MacConnachie.

Learn more about your rights as an employee in British Columbia here: Employment Standards (Province of British Columbia) Additional resources: International Mobility Program – Get to know your rights while working in Canada

 You can only work off-campus if

1. you meet ALL eligibility requirements AND
2. you are studying part-time in your last term because you do not need a full-time course load to complete your program AND
3. you enrolled as a full-time student throughout your program of study in Canada up until your last term.

Learn more about your rights as an employee in British Columbia here: Employment Standards (Province of British Columbia)

Learn more about the rights you have as a tenant when you rent a place to live in BC and get assistance with dispute resolution if you need it: Tenancy Laws & Rules - Province of British Columbia

International students must have health insurance coverage while studying in British Columbia. Medical services are expensive if you do not have a medical plan.

Medical Services Plan, MSP is BC’s provincial health insurance plan. Anyone living in BC for 6 months or longer (including international students) is required by law to enroll in MSP and pay the monthly premiums. You must apply for MSP upon your arrival as soon as you arrive in your campus locations. You may apply either online (simple 15-minute process) or on paper.

While your MSP is being processed (could take up to three months of processing times) you are required to have medical coverage when residing in British Columbia. Here is another medical coverage known as Guard.me, it is a temporary health insurance for new international students with a medical coverage of at least 120 days. Your Guard.me fee (one-time fee) is included when you register for your first term and coverage begins up to 7 days before the start of your program. If you plan to arrive more than 7 days before the start of the program, you are responsible for additional health insurance coverage. You will receive your Guard.me insurance package upon arrival at your selected campus.

Once you receive your MSP, you may present your MSP coverage at the front registration on your campus location, and your enrollment of Guard.me will be terminated after 120 days.

For more information, please visit

https://www.coastmountaincollege.ca/international/current-students/medical-insurance