University-Sanctioned International Activity Update

To all faculty and contract lecturers (to be shared with your staff team leaders, as appropriate):

On October 21, 2021, the Government of Canada (external link)  lifted the world-wide “avoid non-essential travel” advisory. While all unvaccinated travellers are still advised to continue avoiding non-essential travel to all destinations, this change has allowed Ryerson to revisit its university-sanctioned international activity protocols for fully vaccinated individuals.

Please find the details below, as well as relevant international risk-management protocols:

Outbound Student Activities Can Resume

As a result of this new direction, the university is pleased to resume travel support for outbound student activities for fully vaccinated individuals, effective immediately. Please note that this includes all university-sanctioned international activity connected to faculty-led trips, study tours, academic exchanges, internships, placements, co-op, student research, conferences, competitions, student group travel and Letters of Permission (LOPs) that entail travel.

Note: Though we made the decision to cancel the winter 2022 exchange program previously as a precautionary measure, the university has been working diligently with Faculties, students and partner institutions to reinstate the program, where tenable.

All students participating in university-sanctioned international activity must follow and complete the university’s international risk-management requirements, and it is recommended that students start this process 4-6 months prior to their departure. In alignment with the Government of Canada’s current COVID-19 Travel Advice, (external link)  all students should be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before travelling. Faculties and academic departments should understand and communicate these requirements to their students to ensure effective compliance.

Travel for any reason to a geographic region/country that has an elevated travel advisory for Global Affairs Canada (external link)  and/or International SOS (ISOS) (external link)  will trigger a requirement to complete a full International Risk Management Plan that is subject to approval. Please find full details regarding the international risk-management requirements for students on the Ryerson International website. Importantly, ISOS is a trusted third-party with a well-developed global footprint, and their travel advisories complement those from Global Affairs Canada. This highly competent information and analysis only serves to strengthen the university’s protocols as we continue to navigate complex regulations regarding COVID-19.

Inbound Students and Visitors 

Similarly, we are also pleased to resume inbound activities for the winter 2022 term. As the university is planning for a broader return to in-person classes and other programming on campus this January, inbound activities include welcoming incoming short-term international visitors to Ryerson, such as visiting research scholars, visiting research students and exchange students.

Individuals are required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 prior to coming to campus. The details pertaining to the university’s ongoing vaccination requirements and how proof can be provided are found here. In addition, please be advised that all international visitors must follow the Federal Government’s COVID-19 entry requirements (external link) .

Information for full-degree international students coming to Ryerson, including COVID-19 information and updates, is available from International Student Support.  

Employee Travel

Faculty and contract lecturer travel remains under the jurisdiction of individual faculty members. To help with ongoing decision making, all faculty members have access to, and are welcome to use, the resources provided by ISOS and may wish to reach out to Ryerson International for additional support.

All faculty members and contract lecturers are strongly encouraged to register with ISOS, while all staff members travelling for university activities are required to register with ISOS.

For More Information

Please be advised that COVID-19 related restrictions continue to impact international travel and operations globally. Everyone must consult the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories (external link)  for their intended destination(s) and follow all public health and security recommendations.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding student international activities, please reach out to Emma Wright, Manager of Global Learning and Engagement. For faculty and staff international activities, please connect with Sara Berman, Director of Ryerson International. For information about hosting international visiting researchers, please contact the HR Immigration unit. For additional questions about experiential learning, please contact Anita Abraham, Director of Experiential Learning.

For additional information about Ryerson’s COVID-19 practices and protocols, please visit ryerson.ca/covid-19.

Thank you,

Jennifer Simpson
Provost and Vice-President, Academic