UBC determines a student’s tuition and fee assessment based on their citizenship status. Generally, students who are citizens or permanent residents of Canada are assessed domestic tuition and fees. Students who do not meet the criteria for domestic tuition are assessed international tuition and fees.
Certain Indigenous International students may be eligible to pay domestic fees.
This page specifies the International Tuition Exemption application instructions for students at the UBC Vancouver campus. If you are a UBC Okanagan student, contact Student Records & Financial Services instead.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the International Tuition Exemption, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You belong to one of the exemption categories below:
- You’re affiliated with an Indigenous nation of Canada (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).
- You’re of a transborder Indigenous nation (American Indian or Alaska Native).
- You have registered and are being assessed tuition at UBC during the term you are seeking an exemption for.
- You are in good academic standing at UBC. Students who are not in good academic standing or those required to leave UBC are not eligible for the exemption.
Changes to eligibility
Effective May 1, 2025, UBC will no longer offer international tuition rate exemptions to new international students in the work permit category who begin their studies in or after the 2025 Summer Session. This change was approved by the Board of Governors on Mar 28, 2025.
Please contact Enrolment Services if you are a continuing student who was previously approved under this category.
How to Request an International Tuition Exemption
First, gather your supporting documentation
Review and gather the supporting documentation required by the category you are eligible for.
Supporting documentation may include a certificate of Indian Status or a Métis citizenship card that meets the Métis National Council Guidelines. Those without formal documentation may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Supporting documentation may include enhanced tribal identification cards, which are preferred for the application, or recognition from an American Indian or an Alaska Native tribe. Those without formal documentation may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Examples of eligible Nations include American members of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, Kootenai Tribes, and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Next, submit your request to Enrolment Services
- Submit a request via email to your Enrolment Services Advisor with the following information before the tuition payment deadline:
- Category you’re applying for
- Program and campus to which you’ve been admitted
- Start and end dates of the study period for which you are requesting domestic tuition
- If you meet the eligibility requirements for the category you’re applying for, your ES Advisor will send you an application to complete. Submit the application and your supporting documentation in person to Enrolment Services on or before the tuition payment deadline.
- Exceptions to deadlines are not permitted, and retroactive fee changes will not be granted.
- UBC will make copies of the documents and may verify them with the issuer to validate their accuracy and authenticity.
- After your submission, you will receive an email from Enrolment Services with next steps. You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your application.
- You’ll receive a decision by email in approximately 3 to 4 weeks once your application has been received. Processing times may be longer at the start of the term.
After you’ve been approved
It is your responsibility to report any changes to your student status immediately during the study period.
You will be required to provide documents to renew or maintain your international exemption on an annual basis. You may be asked to provide documents at other times during your studies at the discretion of Enrolment Services.
Extending an International Tuition Exemption
Some students may be able to submit a request to extend their tuition exemption. Requests to extend a tuition exemption are assessed on a case-by-case basis. You can submit a written statement with supporting documentation to Enrolment Services for consideration if you meet both of the following conditions:
- You unexpectedly left due to medical issues or extenuating personal circumstances.
- You have been away from UBC for a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.
If you have questions
Please contact your Enrolment Services Advisor directly.
For questions about applying for a study permit, contact International Student Advising.