During your studies at UBC, there may be different definitions for different purposes, such as academic, tax, funding, financial aid, and more.
UBC’s enrolment definitions for immigration purposes clarify when international students are in active pursuit of studies, and when you are eligible to work on and off campus or post-graduation.
Importance of enrolment status
Having a study permit comes with certain responsibilities—that is, to actively pursue studies and make reasonable progress towards completing your program.
Your enrolment status impacts whether you can:
- Remain in Canada as a student
- Work in Canada
- Remain eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
Twice a year or more, UBC is required to report on your enrolment status to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) based on the definitions below.
Four-letter codes that define your student status for immigration purposes
The record of your enrolment status is on the Student Information Service Centre (SISC), which is accessed by UBC staff. If you are unclear about your student status for immigration purposes, you can confirm with your graduate program staff, academic advisor, or Enrolment Services Advisor to see what is on record in the SISC. The following definitions include the 4-letter code that is on your record as your enrolment status in the SISC.
“Regular academic session”
UBC has two academic sessions per year that are divided into two terms:
- Winter Session: Term 1 (September to December) and Term 2 (January to April)
- Summer Session: Term 1 (May to June) and Term 2 (July to August)
Undergraduate, Diploma (other than the Diploma in Accounting), Certificate, Juris Doctor, exchange, VIRS, visiting students, and unclassified students
You must be enrolled in Winter Term 1 and Winter Term 2. Summer is a scheduled break and courses are optional.
Graduate students and students in the Diploma in Accounting Program
You must be enrolled throughout the year (Winter Term 1, Winter Term 2, and the Summer Session).
“Scheduled Break”
This definition is for immigration purposes to denote students who are not required to be enrolled during program breaks. Students are considered to be ‘actively pursuing studies’ while on a scheduled break.
Dates are based on the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan Calendar
Scheduled breaks include:
| Term 1 Midterm Break | First day of Midterm Break | Last day of Midterm Break |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 Midterm Break | First day of Midterm Break | Last day of Midterm Break |
| Winter Break | Day after posted final exam period for Winter Term 1 | Day before the start of classes for Winter Term 2 |
| Term 2 Midterm Break | First day of Midterm Break | Last day of Midterm Break |
| Break between Winter Term 2 and Summer | Day after posted final exam period for Winter Term 2 | Day before the start of classes for Summer Term 1 |
| Summer Session (not available for students in graduate programs or the Diploma in Accounting Program [DAP]) | Start of classes for Summer Term 1 | Last day of posted final exam period for Summer Term 2 |
| Break between Summer Session and Winter Term 1 | Day after posted final exam period for Summer Term 2 | Day before the start of classes for Winter Term 1 |
Exception to the Scheduled Break
If your academic program has start and end dates which differ from those specified in the applicable academic calendar, the program dates will apply.
Students in graduate programs or the Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) in summer are deemed to be on an academic summer session, not a scheduled break.
Working during a scheduled break
You might be eligible to work full-time on or off campus during a scheduled break. Work refers to work which is authorized by a study permit. Students who also hold work permits may be able to work supplemental days/hours in addition to work authorized by study permits.
Registered, eligible, or continuing students in UBC degree, diploma, certificate, and Juris Doctor programs are considered to be eligible to work while on a scheduled break if you meet all of the following criteria:
- You are eligible to work on and/or off campus
- You were full-time for immigration purposes in the term immediately before the break.
- Your degree has not been conferred.
- You will resume full-time studies in the term immediately following the break.
If you meet the above requirements
You are permitted to work full-time on or off campus during a scheduled break for a total of 180 days per calendar year, but not more than 150 consecutive days.
If you do not meet the above requirements
You are not eligible to work during a scheduled break. For further clarification, exchange, VIRS, visiting students, and unclassified students are not eligible to work during scheduled breaks.
Undergraduate, diploma, certificate, and Juris Doctor students on a scheduled summer break who do not meet the above requirements may only work up to 20 hours a week and unlimited hours on campus during the Summer Session only if enrolled in a full-time course load in the Summer Session. If you are enrolled in a part-time course load in summer, you are not eligible to work on or off campus.
For the 2023 Summer Session, if you think you are eligible for the temporary policy on off-campus work hours, please seek advice from an International Student Advisor before you start to work.
“Full time”
This definition is for immigration purposes to denote students who are actively pursuing studies and who may be eligible to work on or off campus. Full-time status is the minimum requirement to work on or off campus, among other requirements.
Work refers to work which is authorized by a study permit. Students who also hold work permits may be able to work additional days/hours in addition to work authorized by study permits.
Students with full-time status can start work on the first day of the term as per the UBC Vancouver or UBC Okanagan academic calendar. You must stop work on the last day of the posted final exam period according to the academic calendar or when you no longer meet requirements to work.
Additional information
- Students who meet the “full time” definition in summer and are not eligible for a scheduled break during the summer session will be deemed full time from May 1 to August 31.
- Courses spanning two terms are counted as half the credit value per term (e.g. a 6 credit course counts as 3 credits in Term 1 and 3 credits in Term 2).
Definitions for being “full time”
UBC students are considered by UBC to be “full time for immigration purposes” if they meet any one of the following definitions:
- Registered (“REGI” on the SISC), or
- Continuing (“CONT” on the SISC)
This category also includes Diploma in Accounting (“DAPP” on the SISC), Juris Doctor (JD), Unclassified (“UNCL” on the SISC), Access Studies (“ACES” on the SISC), Exchange (“EXCH” on the SISC), and Visiting (“VISI” or “VISO” on the SISC) students.
Students taking graduate-level courses but not enrolled in a UBC graduate program also fall into this category, including graduate exchange students.
Winter Term 1 or 2:
- Registered (“REGI” on the SISC) in 9 or more credits per winter term
Summer (May to August):
- Registered (“REGI” on the SISC) for 9 or more credits, and
- Do not meet the definition of “scheduled break”
Final academic term
- Registered (“REGI” on the SISC) in any number of credits in the “final” term—“final” as determined by your academic advising office and denotes that you will have satisfied all program requirements upon successful completion of the current term’s activities.
- If a final course spans two terms (e.g. 6 credits), each term may be determined to be a final term.
- If final coursework is taken during the summer session (May to August), you can be registered for any number of credits during this period. Your full-time status continues until your letter of completion is available.
Visiting International Research Students (VIRS or VIRO) and Visiting Research Exchange Students are considered by UBC to be “full time for immigration purposes” if you are registered (“REGI” on the SISC). Please check with Go Global if you think this applies to you.
Students with academic accommodations are considered to be “full time for immigration purposes” if you are registered in the minimum number of credits for your reduced course load accommodation as determined by the Centre for Accessibility (Vancouver), or the Disability Resource Centre (Okanagan) in line with Disability Accommodation Policy LR7.
UBC students away on exchange term(s) abroad are considered “full-time for immigration purposes” if you are registered (“REGI” on the SISC).
UBC students on a co-op work term, internship, practicum, or other program-required work are considered by UBC to be “full-time for immigration purposes” if you are registered (“REGI” on the SISC).
UBC students enrolled in the UBC Okanagan English Foundation Program are considered by UBC to be “full-time for immigration purposes”.
UBC students who have completed program requirements and whose program completion letter is not yet available are considered by UBC to be “full-time for immigration purposes”.
“Part-time”
UBC students are considered by UBC to be “part-time for immigration purposes” if they meet both of the following criteria:
- They are registered (“REGI” on the SISC).
- They do not meet the “full time” or “scheduled break” definition.
No minimum number of credits is required to have “part-time” status.
Part-time students are considered actively pursuing studies but cannot work on or off campus. Work refers to work which is authorized by a study permit. Students who also hold work permits may be able to work additional days/hours in addition to work authorized by their study permits.
Part-time studies (except during a final term) also impact eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. Learn more about immigration impacts of part-time studies or withdrawing from courses.
“Authorized leave”
UBC students are considered to be on an “authorized leave for immigration purposes” in a given term if you meet one of the following:
- You are on leave (“OLVE” on the SISC)
- You have been issued a leave letter under the International Undergraduate Authorized Leave Procedure, which began in 2021/22 Winter Session.
Some authorized leaves can be considered “actively pursuing studies”. Learn more about taking time away from studies.
“Deferred enrolment”
UBC students are considered by UBC to have “deferred enrolment” if they meet all of the following criteria:
- The Letter of Acceptance was issued.
- The offer was not revoked.
- UBC allows your start date to be delayed to a subsequent term or session, because UBC postponed the program of study or you initiated a delay.
Deferred enrolment is determined by Admissions, the Faculty, or program.
“Academic suspension”
UBC students are considered to be on “academic suspension for immigration purposes” when they are suspended due to poor academic performance or violation of the institution’s policies. The student is allowed to return after the period of suspension.
Learn more about taking time away from studies.
“No show”
UBC students are considered to be “no-shows for immigration purposes” if all of the following happen:
- The Letter of Acceptance was issued.
- Your offer was not revoked.
- The Add/Drop date for the first term has passed.
- Enrolment was not deferred.
- You never registered or enrolled in the current program of study at UBC.
“Not started”
This status applies to students who are enrolled in a program of studies that begins the following semester. They have not yet started their studies.
International Student Guide
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
If you have questions
You can connect with International Student Advising for questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.