Coming to Saskatchewan, Canada

Nicknamed “The Land of Living Skies,” Saskatchewan has a rich mix of history and culture. Saskatchewan became a province of Canada in 1905 and currently has 1.1 million residents. Historically, Saskatchewan’s economy was primarily associated with agriculture. Recently, however, mining and natural gas have become key facets of the economy. Saskatchewan ranks second in Canada in GDP per capita by province and consistently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada. 

Be sure to take advantage of everything that Saskatchewan has to offer.

Here are a couple of recommendations we advise you to pay particularly close attention to:

1. Do not let your study permit expire. Start the renewal process at least two to three months BEFORE the expiry date.
2. Keep your passport valid. Your immigration documents cannot be renewed if your passport has expired or will soon expire.
3. If you are planning to work while you are studying or after, you must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada. To find out how to get a SIN, visit the Service Canada website. Once you receive your SIN, you should give the number to Enrolment Services. 
4. If you work, you will need to file an income tax return every year. For more information on the process of filing a tax return as an International student, please visit Get ready to do your taxes. 
5. If work terms, practicums, clinical training or co-operative education placements are a part of your program, you have to fulfill additional admission requirements. Check your program’s admission requirements and ensure that you have met these requirements or that you can provide evidence that you have met these requirements before registration. These might include:
   • Having a valid driver’s license
     A driver’s license could be required in many of the engineering co-op placements. Programs such as the Automotive Service Technician, Heavy Equipment and Truck and Transport Technician and Agricultural Machinery Technician programs (and others) will require a valid driver’s license. 
   • Certain immunizations
   • Criminal Record Check
     Programs that require a criminal record check include those where you could be working in a hospital, working with children and working with confidential information. When entering a job placement, co-op work placement, practicum, work experience component, or if you plan on staying in Canada and working upon graduation, you may be requested by the employer or host that you have a criminal record check. It is always a good idea to have one completed in your home country before arrival at Sask Polytech. 

6. You will receive a “Notice to Register” letter approximately one month before your classes begin. In this letter, you will be provided details of when (date and time) and where (campus and room number) to register for classes on your first day. You will also receive your initial login information for mySaskPolytech, our staff and student portal.  

Regina is the closest city to fly into.

A few things to consider when booking your flights:

• Regina is the best location to fly into. Saskatoon is another option, but it may lead to additional accommodation and transportation expenses.
• The two main airlines operating within Canada are WestJet and Air Canada.

Flying into Regina International Airport

• If you arrive in Regina after 3 p.m. and your final destination is Moose Jaw, make arragements to stay in Regina overnight. Regina is a small city and most places can be reached within 20 minutes from the airport. You can hire a taxi at the airport to take you anywhere in the city for $20 to $40 (Canadian dollars).
• Moose Jaw is approximately 65 kilometers west of Regina. Various transportation options are available to help you get there.
  • Your own vehicle
    • Turn right onto Lewvan Drive and travel south until you reach the exit for Highway 1 west (the Trans-Canada Highway). Follow the road until you reach Moose Jaw.
  • Other transportation
    • There are numerous private contractors that offer transfers between Regina and Moose Jaw and can be found and contacted online.

Flying into Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport

• If you fly into Saskatoon, you need accommodation for at least one night and transportation to Moose Jaw or Regina. Below are affordable options for you to consider:
  • Accommodation: Air B & B is an online marketplace and hospitality service throughout Canada, enabling people to lease or rent short-term lodging including apartment rentals, homestays, hostel beds, or hotel rooms, at reasonable rates.
  • Transportation: Rider Express Transportation makes daily trips from Saskatoon to Regina, at a cost of $57 per passenger (additional charges will be applied for extra baggage).

 

Saskatoon is the closest city to fly into. The two main airlines operating within Canada are WestJet and Air Canada.

Prince Albert is approximately 140 kilometers north of Saskatoon. Here are some transportation options to move from Saskatoon to Prince Albert:

Your own vehicle

• If you are driving from the airport, follow Airport Drive until you reach Circle Drive. Turn left and drive until you reach Idylwyld Drive. Then, turn left onto Idylwyld Drive and follow the road until you see the signs for Highway 2 north to Prince Albert.

Rider Express Transportation

• Rider Express Transportation offers an affordable shuttle service between Saskatoon and Prince Albert, at a cost of $38 per person (additional charges apply for extra baggage). The bus operates every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It departs at 12:00 p.m. from the Tim Hortons at 619 22nd Street West, Saskatoon – about a 10-minute drive from the airport. Check their website for ticket and service information.
• If you arrive in Saskatoon on a day that the shuttle does not operate, or after the shuttle has departed, make arrangements to stay overnight in Saskatoon. There are several hotel options you can choose from.

Other transportation

• United Cabs and Comfort Cabs both operate in and around Saskatoon, and are both prepared to offer transfers to Prince Albert at the standard taxi rate.
• There are numerous private contractors that offer transfers between Saskatoon and Prince Albert. They can be found online and contacted directly.

We recommend, when possible, you arrive four weeks before classes begin. 

There are many things you need to arrange before school starts and they all take time. Here are just a few things to consider:

1. Find a place to live. Unless you have pre-arranged housing, it can be difficult to find a place to live on short notice. Remember, you'll need to buy furniture, food and other things for your apartment.
2. Arrange for utilities – electricity, phone, etc.
3. Open a bank account.
4. Learn your way around the city to find banks, grocery stores, public transportation.
5. Apply online for your Saskatchewan Health Card.

Arriving at the last minute can cause additional stress. If you do arrive late, contact Sask Polytech International Education for advice.

Here's our recommendation as to when you should arrive:

Visit the Government of Canada COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for up to date information.