Safe arrival plan

iCent app

The iCent app is an essential smartphone tool for you to begin your studies at Conestoga College. It includes pre- and post-arrival information prepared by Conestoga and will guide you through the protocols you must follow prior to and upon arrival in Canada. It also provides important information to assist you during your transition to Canada and to Conestoga College. Follow these instructions to begin using iCent:        

1. To download the app, search “iCent” in Google Play or the App Store.
2. Enter “Canada” as your destination country and “Conestoga College” as your institution name.
3. You are required to log in to iCent using your Conestoga ID and password.
   
4. Fill in all the requested information to begin using the Conestoga College dashboard.
   

If you are having trouble logging into the app, contact: support@icent.app            

Note: It is mandatory for you to download the iCent app. You must complete this by the time you arrive in Canada.              

Failure to download the college’s mandatory iCent app may result in you being de-registered from your program.            

Optional: Download the ArriveCAN app

ArriveCAN is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) app provided by the federal government. You can upload your information to the optional Advance Declaration feature in the ArriveCAN app to save you time at the airport.             

Follow these instructions to begin using ArriveCAN:             

1. To download the app, search “ArriveCAN” in Google Play or the App Store.
   
2. Create an account using your valid email address. A security PIN will be sent to you for verification.
3. Follow the instructions to enter the information on the forms required.

We invite you to attend one of our upcoming Travel to Canada webinars, where our International Transition Coordinators will explain what you must know before you travel and answer any questions you may have.            

There are mandatory steps for all travellers to follow when entering Canada. Please carefully review the Government of Canada website in preparation for your travel to Canada.

Students and co-arriving immediate family members planning to enter Canada must meet the travel requirements as outlined by the IRCC.

While recent IRCC changes have been implemented regarding the ArriveCAN app, you are still required to sign in to the iCent app to complete your mandatory start questionnaire to report your travel plan to Canada and Conestoga College.

Conestoga has paused proof of vaccination requirements at all campus locations.

We will continue to monitor conditions and consult with public health advisors. It may be necessary to bring back vaccine requirements on short notice to protect the health and well-being of our college community and create a safe environment for those who are most vulnerable.

Students are encouraged to keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccines to avoid disruptions to their educational experience should it be necessary to reinstate the vaccination policy.  

Visit the college's vaccines web page to learn more.  

You are required to report your COVID-19 immunization information to the Public Health Unit of the region that you currently live in. Please register your out-of-province vaccination with your local Public Health Unit:

• Region of Waterloo
• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
• Brant County
• Huron Perth

If you are not a resident of one of the above Public Health Units, you can find your local Public Health Unit through the provincial locator.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available to Conestoga students at the Kitchener - Doon campus. Read more.

• Conestoga vaccine FAQ
• Government of Canada: Vaccines for COVID-19
• COVID-19 vaccination appointments available on campus

Please visit the Toronto Pearson International Airport website for what to expect upon your arrival in Canada. When entering Canada, you may be asked for your required travel documents.      

Please be sure to consult the Government of Canada’s Immigration and Citizenship website prior to travelling so you can monitor for any changes or updates to policies.

If you need any additional information or have questions regarding your preparation for travel to Canada and/or your studies at Conestoga College, please email our Transition team at internationaltransition@conestogac.on.ca.

Note: It is up to the discretion of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Officer to approve or deny your entry to Canada. At your port of entry, a CBSA Officer will make the final determination on your eligibility to enter Canada.     

Do not forget to visit the iCent Airport Welcome Desk for airport assistance and support. They are located at Toronto Pearson International Airport in terminals 1 and 3.            

Complete the mandatory arrival check-in through the iCent app when you arrive in Canada.

Note: All students are required to complete the iCent Mandatory Start Questionnaire form and Arrival Check-in. If you do not comply by downloading the iCent app and completing the mandatory forms within 48 hours of arriving in Canada, this will result in your student account being put on hold and you will not be able to register for or attend your classes. You will then be removed from your program without refund. It is imperative that you give this your immediate attention in order to avoid being deregistered from your program.

International Office

Email your International Transition Coordinator team if you have any questions or concerns about your travel.                

Accessible Learning

If you require accommodations to support a temporary or permanent health condition, please contact Accessible Learning at accessibility@conestogac.on.ca or leave a voicemail at 519-748-5220, ext. 3232.

Health & Wellness

If you feel sick, have any medical concerns, or want to speak to someone about your mental health, please contact Student Health & Wellness Services by emailing mywellness@conestogac.on.ca from your Conestoga student email account.

StudentCare Insurance

Please call the StudentCare toll-free line at 1-844-418-0511 as soon as possible for any early arrival emergencies. Coverage begins 30 days prior to the start of your classes, or the day you arrive, whichever comes later.

For more information, please refer to Health insurance & medical care.               

Please note: If you arrive more than 30 days before the start of your classes, it is your responsibility to purchase additional health insurance. Medical care is very expensive in Canada, and it is up to you to arrange for adequate health insurance to cover you before the start of your college-issued health insurance plan.                 

Please see the following additional resources as you transition into our local community:                

• Ontario COVID-19 public health measures and advice
• Book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment
• Self-isolation: Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts
• Stop the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario
• COVID-19 related stigma
  
• Conestoga College accessible learning accommodations
• Conestoga College mental health support and resources
• Good2Talk: 24-hr Student Mental Health Helpline

Regional updates regarding COVID-19:

• Region of Waterloo response to COVID-19 / Waterloo Region face covering by-law
  

For up-to-date FAQs and COVID-19 information, please visit our college website.