Arriving at Queen's University as an international student means managing a large administrative checklist alongside the social and academic demands of starting university in a new country. The first four to six weeks in Kingston involve a series of tasks that must be done in roughly the right order — some things can't happen until others are completed. This guide organizes the most important first-steps for international students at Queen's in Kingston, with practical detail on each.
Before You Arrive in Kingston
Several things are easier to handle before you leave your home country:
- Study permit — ensure your Canadian study permit is issued and valid for the duration of your program. The permit is issued by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) and must be in your hands before you board your flight. Keep both the physical permit and a digital copy accessible at all times
- Letter of acceptance and enrollment confirmation — bring your official Queen's acceptance letter and enrollment confirmation. You'll need these at the border and for numerous administrative processes in Kingston
- Proof of funds — Canada requires international students to demonstrate financial capacity; you may be asked about this at the border. Have documentation of your funding source readily accessible
- Travel health insurance — UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan), Queen's mandatory health coverage for international students, begins on your program start date. The period between your arrival and your program start may not be covered — consider short-term travel health insurance for any gap period
- Arrange temporary accommodation — if your permanent Kingston accommodation isn't available immediately, book a hostel, Airbnb, or hotel for the first few nights. Don't arrive in Kingston without somewhere to stay
Getting Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) in Kingston
Your Social Insurance Number is the Canadian government identifier used for employment, banking, and tax purposes. As an international student with a valid study permit, you're eligible for a temporary SIN. You need a SIN to legally work in Canada and to file Canadian taxes.
How to get your SIN in Kingston:
- Locate the nearest Service Canada centre. In Kingston, Service Canada is located at 1055 Princess Street — accessible by Kingston Transit
- Bring: your valid study permit, your passport, and proof of Kingston address (a lease agreement, a letter from Queen's confirming your residence address, or a utility bill)
- Apply in person. Your SIN is issued on the spot in most cases — you'll receive a paper SIN letter. The SIN card itself is no longer issued; the number on the letter is your SIN
- Store your SIN securely. It's used on T4 tax slips, in your bank account applications, and for any Canadian employment. Treat it with the same security as a password
Apply for your SIN within the first two weeks of arriving in Kingston. You'll need it to open most Canadian bank accounts and to start any campus employment.
UHIP — Your Health Coverage at Queen's
UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) is the mandatory health insurance plan for international students at Queen's University. It covers the cost of physician visits, hospital care, and some diagnostic services in Canada — comparable in scope to what OHIP provides for domestic Ontario residents, but administered through a private insurer contracted by Queen's.
Key UHIP facts for Queen's international students:
- UHIP enrollment is mandatory and automatic — you're enrolled when you register at Queen's. The premium is included in your student fees
- UHIP covers you for physician visits, hospital services, laboratory tests, and some specialist referrals. It does not cover dental, vision, or prescription drugs (for these, review the AMS Health and Dental Plan, which international students can opt into separately)
- When you visit a doctor or hospital in Kingston, present your UHIP card (available through the Queen's UHIP portal) and your photo ID. The provider bills UHIP directly for covered services
- UHIP covers you across Canada, not just in Kingston — useful for when you travel to Toronto or Ottawa during breaks
- If you have dependents (spouse, children) in Canada, they can be added to your UHIP coverage for an additional premium — contact the Queen's UHIP office to arrange this
UHIP is your health coverage for as long as you hold your Queen's student status. When you graduate or leave Queen's, your UHIP coverage ends. If you plan to stay in Canada after graduation, investigate whether you'll be covered by OHIP (requires three consecutive months of Ontario residency and a valid status to work/live in Canada) or will need to purchase private health insurance.
Opening a Canadian Bank Account in Kingston
A Canadian bank account is essential for receiving OSAP (if applicable to your situation), receiving employment income, paying rent by e-transfer, and managing daily expenses without paying international transaction fees on a foreign card. Open a Canadian bank account within your first two weeks in Kingston.
What you need to open a Canadian bank account as an international student:
- Passport
- Study permit
- Proof of address in Kingston (Queen's acceptance letter with Kingston address, or your lease)
- SIN (most banks ask for this; some will open a basic account without it and add it later)
Bank options in Kingston for international students:
| Bank | Student Account | Monthly Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank | Student Banking Advantage | Free (student) | Branches near campus; SCENE+ rewards |
| TD Bank | TD Student Chequing | Free (student) | Large ATM network; good app |
| RBC | RBC Student Banking | Free (student) | Multiple Kingston branches |
| BMO | BMO Student Banking | Free (student) | Strong international wire transfer options |
| Simplii Financial | Free chequing (online) | Free | No branches; digital only; no fee on CAD transactions |
For international students who need to receive money transfers from home, consider which bank has the best international wire transfer rates. BMO and Scotiabank both have relatively competitive international transfer handling compared to the other Big Five. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a widely used third-party service for receiving international transfers into a Canadian bank account at significantly better exchange rates than the Big Five banks charge — many international students at Queen's use Wise for their monthly allowances from home.
Setting Up a Canadian Phone Plan in Kingston
Your home country phone plan almost certainly doesn't work economically in Canada — roaming charges are typically $10–$15/day or higher. Set up a Canadian SIM within your first week. Month-to-month plans are the right choice for international students because you don't know exactly how long you'll be in Canada or whether you'll switch providers.
Affordable options for international students in Kingston: Public Mobile (uses Telus network, $25–$34/month for 2–5GB), Fizz ($28–$40/month on Rogers network), and Freedom Mobile ($35–$45/month with larger data buckets). All three are no-contract carriers that make it easy to change or cancel when your circumstances change. Bring your phone unlocked from home — all three carriers issue Canadian SIM cards at their service locations. Public Mobile and Fizz can be set up entirely online with the SIM delivered by mail.
Queen's International Student Resources
Queen's has a dedicated set of resources specifically for international students:
- Queen's University International (QUI) — the primary international student services office. Located in the JDUC; runs orientation programming specifically for incoming international students, peer mentoring, and immigration advising
- Immigration advising — QUI employs registered immigration consultants who can answer study permit extension questions, post-graduation work permit eligibility, and status questions. This service is free for enrolled Queen's students
- International Student Network (ISN) — the AMS-affiliated club for international students at Queen's. Runs social events, connects international students with peers, and is an excellent source of practical peer advice on navigating Kingston and Canada
- English language support — Queen's Student Academic Success Services (SASS) offers writing support, language tutoring, and academic skills programming that is particularly useful for students whose primary academic language isn't English
Tax Filing as an International Student in Canada
International students in Canada for more than six months in a tax year are generally considered Canadian tax residents for that year and must file a Canadian income tax return by April 30 of the following year. Even if you earned no Canadian income during the year, filing a tax return may be required and may make you eligible for the GST/HST credit (a quarterly government refund available to lower-income Canadian residents). The T2202 tuition tax credit and any eligible Canadian income tax credits cannot be claimed without filing. CVITP (Community Volunteer Income Tax Program) provides free tax filing assistance — Queen's runs CVITP clinics each February and March specifically for students.
Where do international students get a SIN card in Kingston Ontario?
International students get their SIN (Social Insurance Number) at a Service Canada centre. The Kingston Service Canada location is at 1055 Princess Street. Bring your valid Canadian study permit, your passport, and proof of Kingston address (your lease agreement or a Queen's residence confirmation letter). SINs for international students are issued the same day in most cases; you receive a paper letter with your SIN number rather than a physical card. Apply within your first two weeks of arriving in Kingston.
What health insurance do international students have at Queen's University Kingston?
International students at Queen's are automatically enrolled in UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan), which is mandatory and included in student fees. UHIP covers physician visits, hospital services, and diagnostic tests — functionally similar to OHIP for domestic Ontario students. UHIP does not cover dental, vision, or prescription drugs; international students can enroll in the AMS Health and Dental Plan for additional coverage. Present your UHIP card and photo ID at any Ontario healthcare provider; they bill UHIP directly for covered services.
What is the best bank for international students at Queen's in Kingston?
Scotiabank and TD both have branches near Queen's campus and offer free student chequing accounts with no monthly fee while enrolled. For international students who need good international wire transfer service, BMO is often recommended for its relatively competitive handling of inbound international transfers. Simplii Financial (online-only, no monthly fees) is a strong option for students comfortable with digital banking who don't need branch access. Many international students at Queen's use Wise (formerly TransferWise) alongside a Canadian bank account to receive money from home at significantly better exchange rates than the Big Five banks offer.
Sending Money Home from Canada as a Queen's Student
Many international students at Queen's need to send money from a Canadian account to a family account abroad — returning unspent funds at the end of the year, repaying family loans, or managing finances across two countries. The Big Five banks charge significant fees for international wire transfers and use exchange rates that add 2–4% above the mid-market rate, costing $20–$60 on a $1,000 transfer compared to services like Wise.
Wise (wise.com) uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a transparent fee (typically 0.5–1% on major currency pairs), making it significantly cheaper than bank wire transfers for most international students. You link your Canadian bank account to Wise, initiate the transfer in Canadian dollars, and the recipient receives the target currency in their bank account within 1–3 business days. Wise is the most widely used money transfer service among Queen's international students for exactly this reason.
Study Permit Extensions — Staying Compliant at Queen's
Your Canadian study permit must be valid for the duration of your Queen's program. If your program extends beyond your current permit's expiry date (common when co-op terms or thesis work push graduation past the original expected end date), you must apply for an extension through IRCC's online portal before your current permit expires. Apply at least 30 days before expiry — IRCC recommends 90 days. Queen's University International (QUI) offers free immigration advising to help you through this process. An expired study permit while still studying at Queen's creates serious immigration status issues; the extension application is critical to file on time.
