Come to Waterloo on exchange

First you must check to see if you are enrolled at one of the University of Waterloo's Exchange Partner Universities. If you are, please contact the exchange coordinator at your home university as they will help determine if you are eligible to come to Waterloo. Your home university will then be able to submit the online student nomination form. Once they have done so, all incoming non-degree exchange students can complete Waterloo's online exchange application.

• Undergraduate application
• Graduate application

If your university is not among those listed as a University of Waterloo Exchange Partner, you may qualify to attend Waterloo as a visiting student or scholar, or you can consider transferring to Waterloo as a full-time degree student.

If you are coming to Waterloo on exchange, you will be required to complete course selection for your first term of study as part of your application. Review specific information for: 

• Undergraduate course selection
• Graduate course selection

All incoming exchange students must have sufficient English language skills to be successful in their exchange program of study. You may be required to meet Waterloo's English language requirements prior to admission to the exchange program.

• Undergraduate student English language requirements
• Graduate student English language requirements

If you would like to improve your English language skills, the English Language Institute (ELI) at Renison University College is Waterloo's home for English language classes. You can visit ELI to register for credit courses in spoken, or written English, or to find out more about how to increase your English language proficiency.

Tuition fees for the majority of exchange programs are paid to your home university. You should confirm the tuition fee arrangement with your university's exchange coordinator.

Every term you study at Waterloo, you will be assessed for incidental fees, which include mandatory health insurance and a student services fee that provides unlimited access to the regional transit system. All fees are approximate in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Student Financial Services will post your fees on your Quest account approximately one month prior to the beginning of term, and you must pay your fees before arriving at Waterloo. 

You will be enrolled in two health insurance plans while on exchange in Canada. The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) covers basic health care services, such as medical doctor appointments, hospital visits, and most diagnostic tests. The Studentcare extended Health and Dental Plan covers extra costs like prescription drugs, paramedical practitioners, vision, and dental care. You can opt out of the extended health and dental insurance if you meet the criteria and can prove that you have equivalent coverage. Applications for UHIP exemption are only considered if you meet the criteria outlined on the UHIP website. 

You can choose to live on or off campus.

• Off-campus: You can live off-campus with either Waterloo Co-operative Residence Inc. (WCRI) or Off-Campus Housing.
• On campus: If you choose to live in Campus Housing, you'll be minutes away from class. It's also a great way to meet new people and it's all-inclusive so your furniture, utilities, high-speed internet and a weekly grocery shuttle will be provided. Please note that space is extremely limited and exchange students are placed on a first-come, first-served basis. Although the Campus Housing applications are still open, it is unlikely that you will receive a contract for the upcoming winter 2022 term.

As of September 7, 2021, if you received a full series of COVID-19 vaccinations accepted by the Government of Canada, you can now travel to Canada as a visitor for non-essential reasons, like for an exchange program of six months or less, as long as all other requirements are met. However, if you do not meet the requirements, or you are going to be studying at Waterloo for two terms or more, than a study permit or a letter of introduction that shows approval of a study permit is required to enter Canada.

If you are not a citizen of the United States, you'll also need either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada depending on your country of citizenship. If you are applying for a study permit, this entry document would be issued to you with a study permit approval. If you are applying for an eTA only, you need to also fill out the IRCC special measures web form with your Waterloo Offer of Admission and Letter of Acceptance, and vaccination records.

As an exchange student, you can work on campus (no limitations on hours per week) or up to 20 hours per week off campus if you have a post-secondary study permit with work eligibility stated on it and you’re registered in a full-time course load. If you're going to study at Waterloo for only one term, you still need to apply for a study permit. In your study permit application, it's important that you include a letter of explanation to clarify why you are applying for a study permit for one term of study. If you receive approval for a study permit, and wish to work on and/or off campus during your studies, we strongly encourage you to verify that the study permit states eligibility to work on and off campus when it is issued to you at the airport.

Please review the travel FAQs on Waterloo's COVID-19 Information website to ensure you're eligible to enter Canada based on the most up-to-date travel restrictions and check out the immigration documents webpage for additional resources. Contact one of University of Waterloo's immigration consultants for free if you have questions.

You should plan to arrive in time for Orientation at the beginning of your exchange. You should not make any travel arrangements during the exam period until you have your exam schedule; travel plans are not considered an acceptable reason to have an exam rescheduled. Check Quest for a complete list of important dates by year. 

The International Student Experience (ISE) team is your connection to the University of Waterloo. Our friendly, knowledgeable, and supportive staff are here to help you every step of the way as you transition into a new life in Canada and become a part of the campus community. The International Peer Community is one ISE program you might be interested in joining.

The International and Canadian Student Network (ICSN) is an on-campus, student-run service that runs weekly events on-campus and monthly trips where you can explore some of the great attractions Ontario has to offer.

Our student unions, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (undergraduate) and Graduate Student Association (graduate), will also keep you busy throughout the term with a huge variety of clubs and events.

Cheer on our Waterloo Warriors, or stay active yourself with Waterloo Athletics.  

Exchange Orientation is an opportunity for new students to experience a balanced introduction to the academic, social and community aspects of university life with the guidance and support of upper-year students. You’ll receive more information about orientation, including registration information, after you’re admitted. 

Once you have completed your exchange program at the University of Waterloo it is important that you settle any outstanding fees before you leave campus. If you have any fees owing on your account, your University of Waterloo transcript will not be issued until the fees are settled. You can verify your finances through Quest.

Your official Waterloo transcript will be automatically issued in electronic format to your home institution approximately two months following the end of your study term to be used for credit transfer purposes. Your home institution's coordinator should inform you when the transcripts have been received.  

1. Obtain the required study permit approval from a Canadian visa office.
2. Arrange for housing in Waterloo.
3. Set-up and regularly check your @uwaterloo.ca email. All official communication including news and updates, course selection, fee deadline reminders, and messages from Waterloo Residences, your faculty and professors will be sent to this account.
4. Get answers to any questions you have about courses, residence, fees and accessibility concerns.
5. Register for orientation.
6. Pay your mandatory incidental fees.

The International Student Guide has tips on living in Waterloo, getting ready for classes and adjusting to Canadian culture, which can help you feel prepared and know what to expect.