You are responsible for maintaining your immigration status and following Canadian immigration regulations. We are here to support you.
The UBC International Student Reminder System was created to help you stay on top of your immigration document expiry dates by emailing you reminders so you can take action before your documents expire.
The system was redesigned in August 2024. If you added your expiry dates in the previous Student Service Centre reminder system, you’ll need to enter them again in the new system.
The reminder system is a requirement for international students in degree, diploma and certificate programs.
Documents tracked through the system
How the system works
- Add your document expiry dates
You will get an email asking you to add your document expiry dates into the International Student Reminder System (ISRS) or you can enter your details on this page at any time. The email subject is “Action required: enter your immigration document expiry dates”. Sign in with your UBC Campus Wide Login, enter your document expiry dates in YYYY-MM-DD format, then click “submit”.
You will only receive reminder emails for the documents you’ve entered into the Reminder System. US permanent residents and citizens should leave the TRV/eTA field blank. - Get a confirmation email
After you’ve entered a document expiry date, you will get a confirmation email that your submission was received for each document you’ve provided. - Get reminders
If you have entered an expiry date, you will receive email reminders according to the following timelines for each document. You will also receive an email the day after your documents expire asking you to input your new document expiry dates into the system.- Passport: 6 months, 5 months, 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, final reminder 1 month in advance
- Study Permit: 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, final reminder 1 month in advance
- Temporary Resident Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization: 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, final reminder 1 month in advance
- Medical Services Plan (BC Services Card): 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, final reminder 1 month in advance
- Extend your document(s)
Follow the instructions in the email to extend your document(s) and be sure to apply well in advance before they expire. See the table below for timelines. - Enter your new document(s) expiry dates
After you’ve extended your document(s), enter the new expiry dates in the International Student Reminder System. You will then get reminders as per above.
Tips
- Add your documents expiry dates in your personal calendar and take note of the dates you took action to extend your document(s).
- Visit the International Student Guide to get up-to-date information and plan ahead to extend your documents.
Extending your documents
Canadian immigration documents cannot be issued past the expiry date of your passport, so you’ll need to extend this first, if it expires soon.
If you extend your study permit or apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, you will need to wait for your new study or work permit, then extend your TRV (if you need one), MSP and SIN since these are based on your study or work permit.
See the table below to help you plan your document extensions.
| Document type | When to extend it |
|---|---|
| Passport | At least 6 months before the expiration date |
| Study Permit, co-op work permit | 3 to 4 months before the expiration date |
| Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) | Your TRV is based on your study permit. You can only extend your TRV after you receive your extended study permit or a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Plan ahead if you want to travel outside Canada. |
| BC Services Card (Medical Services Plan) | If you’ve never applied for MSP, you can apply anytime. You can only extend your MSP after you receive your extended study permit or a Post-Graduation Work Permit. If your study permit is expiring and your study or work permit application has not been processed yet, you must take action and request temporary coverage. |
| Social Insurance Number (SIN) | If you’ve never applied for a SIN, you can apply anytime. You can only extend your SIN after you receive your extended study permit or a Post-Graduation Work Permit. If your study permit is expiring and your study or work permit application has not been processed yet, you can continue to use your SIN on maintained status. |
Frequently asked questions
- Navigate to the “Edit Submission” link here.
- Navigate to the “Edit” button in the top-right corner of the screen, highlighted in this screenshot.
- Re-enter your expiry dates into the form.
- Click “submit”.
- You will receive another email confirming that you have submitted expiry dates (1 email per document).
No. The Reminder System was designed to benefit you as an international student, and the expiry dates you provide will not be reported to the government of Canada or any third party.
You will receive email reminders for the following documents (if expiry dates were entered into the system for that document) according to the following timelines:
Passport: 6 months, 5 months, 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, final reminder 1 month before expiry
Study Permit: 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, final reminder 1 month before expiry
Temporary Resident Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization: 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, final reminder 1 month before expiry
Medical Services Plan (BC Services Card): 4 months, 3 months; 2 months; final reminder 1 month before expiry
You will also receive an email the day after your documents expire asking you to enter your new expiry dates into the system.
Start with the information and step-by-step “How-Tos” on the International Student Guide. If you still have questions or encounter a situation that’s not outlined in the International Student Guide, you can contact International Student Advising.