First Year Moving Information

The move-in period is from Thursday, September 1 to Sunday, September 4. Move-in appointments are required. The September 1 to September 4 move-in period will be supported by campus volunteers who will point you in the right direction and help move you into your residence!  

International students are encouraged to arrive on Thursday September 1. Move-in appointments are required.  If you need accommodations prior to moving into residence, please see our  Short Term Accommodations page. 

If you are unable to arrive during the main move-in period (September 2-4), but will arrive September 5-7, you will not need to book a move-in appointment. You may move-in anytime as long as your front desk is open. See desk hours here. Please note that move-in support will not be available these days. 

If you need to arrive after the first day of class please book a late move-in appointment letting us know which day from September 8 - September 15 you're planning on arriving.  

The chart below explains what you can expect on each move-in day and if you need a move-in appointment or not.  

 If you have any questions related to move-in please email movein@uwaterloo.ca

Download and save your move-in map to guide you when you arrive on campus: 

Download the Village 1 Move-in Map

Download the Mackenzie King Village Move-in Map

Download the Ron Eydt Village Move-in Map

Download the UW Place/Claudette Millar Hall Move-in Map

Download the Columbia Lake Village Move-in map

Students can move into residence anytime between Tuesday, January 3 until Monday, January 9 and do not need to sign up for a move-in timeslot.

Students moving in between January 10-January 16 must complete a Late Arrival form or their contract will be cancelled. The late arrival form will be available later in the fall term. Instructions on how to complete a late arrival form will be provided in your move-in email that you'll receive in December. 

• Important: if you are already living with us on a Fall 2022/Winter 2023 contract, you do not need to complete a Late Arrival form.
• Move-in details will be provided by email closer to the start of the Winter term. Campus Housing will not be able to accommodate early move-in for the winter 2023 term. Please visit our short term accomodations page for more information.

You will have a 30-minute time slot to pick up your keys, but you have as much time as you need to move in all your belongings! We ask that you try to be the most efficient with your time as we have many students moving in so don’t want to hold them up. 

Yes, you are allowed as many companions as you need to help you move in. 

Your keys will be available for pick up at your residence front desk. Please refer to the contact and hours page for desk hours and location. You will need a physical piece of government ID and your student number when you go to move in.   

Parking permits can be purchased prior to moving in and picked up at Parking Services during their office hours: https://uwaterloo.ca/parking/apply-student-permit  

Not sure what you should pack and what is best left at home during your studies? Refer to What Should I Pack list, with a printable checklist of what to bring (and what not to bring) whether you’re living in a traditional room or a suite. 

Campus Housing will not be able to accommodate early move-in for fall 2022 term. The earliest date for winter 2023 move-in is January 1, 2023. Please see our short term accommodations options if you need to arrive before  January 1, 2023. 

For the Winter 2023 term, students who need to arrive after the first day of classes must complete a Late Arrival form or their contract will be cancelled. The late arrival form will be available later in the fall term. Instructions on how to complete a late arrival form will be provided in your move-in email that you'll receive in December. 

Students who do not pick up their keys by January 16, 2023, will be assumed to not be coming and your contract will be cancelled. By cancelling your contract, you will lose your $500 non-refundable deposit and be held financially responsible for your booking.  

Need extra time before moving in or have family and friends visiting? Our short term accommodations list has plenty of local options! 

Students who are travelling to campus and need to self isolate as per Public Health guidelines will need to do so prior to moving into residence.  Residence space can not be offered to students for this purpose. A list of options and resources can be found on the short term accommodations page that can help you find a place to stay during this time. 

Students can then make their own decision of the best accommodation option before moving into residence.  Students will be required to plan their own activities and make payment directly with the accommodation provider.