The University of Toronto has entered into an agreement to assist Harvard international students who may have trouble re-entering the US.
As part of this agreement, international students from Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), a school of public affairs at Harvard University, will be able to continue their studies in Canada, through University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
This arrangement is specifically for returning international students.
How Harvard and UofT’s “contingency plan” will work
As part of the agreement, international students that are impacted by US visa uncertainty will be able to complete their HKS degree from the Munk School’s campus in Toronto.
These students will be able to take a mix of online and in-person courses taught by both HKS and UofT faculty.
They will be enrolled as full-time, non-degree special students at the Munk School, and have access to co-curricular activities.
Upon completion of their program requirements, they will be able to graduate with their HKS master’s degree.
This arrangement is intended for returning international students. Students who are interested in this option will need to apply for a Canadian study permit.
As per reports, the Harvard students’ presence at UofT will not reduce the number of spaces available for UofT students in any academic programs or in university housing.
Both new and returning international students will have the option to enroll in HKS Global, a blended program combining online learning with in-person sessions in select locations.
Students who choose to participate in this contingency program and later resolve their visa issues may return to the Harvard Kennedy School campus in Cambridge at any point up to September 11, 2025. After that date, students will generally be expected to remain in their chosen program — either HKS Global or HKS at Munk — until the end of the semester.
Those who resolve their visa issues during the semester can return to HKS campus at the start of the following term.
This marks the first time one of Harvard’s schools has introduced an international student contingency plan following recent changes proposed by the US Department of Homeland Security regarding international student enrollment.
This contingency plan will move forward if there is sufficient demand from affected international students and pending approval from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
The University of Toronto is regularly considered one of the top-ranking universities in the world. According to the 2026 QS World University Ranking, it ranked 29th globally. It was the second-highest ranked university in Canada, just behind McGill which came in 27th place.
UofT was ranked favourably for academic reputation, employment outcomes, employer reputation, and international student diversity.
How to apply for a Canadian study permit
To be eligible for a Canadian study permit, international students need to have a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from an eligible Designated Learning Institution.
Other required documents include a Provincial Attestation Letter or Territorial Attestation Letter.
International students applying for a Canadian study permit also have to show proof of financial support.
Students may also need to provide biometrics, undergo an immigration medical exam, and/or provide one or more police certificate(s) to attain a Canadian study permit.
Once the documents have been collected and the application submitted, international students are issued with a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization (after an application is approved).
