UPON ARRIVAL IN CANADA


•    Do I need to enroll in the University’s Health Insurance Plan?
•    What about Dental insurance?
•    How do I find accommodation?  What about furniture?
•    How do I get around Kingston?
•    How/where do I set up a bank account?
•    I don’t know anyone and I have so many questions.  Where do I start?

Do I need to enroll in the University’s Health Insurance Plan?

Health Insurance Is Mandatory!

All Queen's international students residing in Ontario during their period of study must enroll in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) before being allowed to register. All international students attempting to pre-register or register through QCARD must complete a UHIP application to enrol/waive themselves and their family members who reside in Ontario before pre-registration can be completed. Participation in this plan is compulsory for all international students, including exchange and English-as-a-Second Language students. Please note that the payment deadline is mid-August, the same deadline as your tuition payment. International students must enroll themselves and their dependants in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) within 30 days of arrival in Canada or pay a late application penalty of $500 plus retroactive premiums.   As soon as you arrive on campus, go to the Queen's University International Centre, during regular office hours, to complete the UHIP application process. Your authorized copy of the enrollment form will serve as a temporary health card for 90 days.

What about Dental Insurance?

Dental Plan

To help graduate students pay for the health services they need, student health and dental plans were put in place by the student government.  The SGPS Dental Plan does not replace, but rather supplements UHIP.

How do I find accommodation?  What about furniture?

Accommodation and Furniture

The International Housing Office, located in the Queen's University International Centre (QUIC), provides a centralized housing service.  The AMS Marketplace is an online forum where you can list items you want to sell or make offers on things you want to buy.

How do I get around Kingston?

Transportation

AMS Bus-It provides students with unlimited rides during the September-April academic year on all Kingston Transit services.  Your student card gives you free access to the service.

How/where do I set up a bank account?

Bank Accounts

TD Canada Trust is the only bank with Automated Banking Machines (ABM) on Queen's Campus but downtown banks are within easy walking distance.

I don’t know anyone and I have so many questions.  Where do I start?

Orientation services

The Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) provides orientation services whenever a student or staff member arrives
•    Every day throughout the year: Queen's University International Centre staff and student resource people are available to provide information about banking, housing, orientation to campus and the wider community. New international students are encouraged to pick-up an information package about QUIC, its services and opportunities as well as services provided by other groups to all members of the Queen's Community. Whenever you go to the Centre you will find copious amounts of tea and coffee, local and national newspapers, computers (and wireless internet access), friendly conversation, and a place to meet new people.