Your study permit will automatically become invalid in one of two ways, whichever comes first:
- The expiry date on your study permit, OR
- 90 days after your Letter of Completion first becomes available
If you plan to stay in Canada after your studies, you must apply to extend your stay in Canada before your study permit becomes invalid to maintain status in Canada, or leave Canada before your study permit becomes invalid. You have the following options.
To maintain status in Canada, you must submit your application before 11:59 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), not local time, on the day your study permit becomes invalid and within 90 days after your Letter of Completion becomes available.
As a student
Want to study more? Apply to extend your study permit after you are admitted to a new program or new institution before your study permit becomes invalid.
If you extend your study permit before it becomes invalid, you might be eligible to maintain status between programs as well as work off-campus full-time between programs for up to 150 days.
If you are waiting for a letter of acceptance for your next program, be sure to apply for a new status in Canada before your study permit expires. If you need assistance with your timeline and options, contact International Student Advising for support.
As a worker
If you'd like to stay in Canada to work, you might be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). To remain in Canada after applying, you must apply for the PGWP before your study permit becomes invalid and within 90 days after your Letter of Completion first becomes available. With further action, you could apply for the PGWP within 180 days after your Letter of Completion first becomes available.
Find important details on when to apply, work eligibility before and after applying, and a tutorial on how to prepare your application on the PGWP page.
If you are not eligible for the PGWP, you can look into other types of work permits.
As a visitor
If you want to stay in Canada temporarily as a visitor after you complete your studies, you can apply for a Visitor Record. You must apply before your study permit becomes invalid.
Once you switch to a Visitor Record, any new application for a study permit or work permit must be made through the outside of Canada process. You can apply online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Furthermore, you won’t be eligible to work in Canada and you may not be eligible for the BC Medical Services Plan.
Permanently
Some students choose to apply for permanent residency (PR) so they can remain in Canada as a permanent resident.
At UBC, International Student Advisors provide immigration advising and support focusing on students and student-related areas such as students’ dependents at no cost, but advising on PR-related issues is not in our scope of services and we do not advise on PR.
Enrol in the Pathways to Permanent Residency Canvas course to view a recorded IRCC Permanent Residency information session for international students and presentation slides of recent IRCC and BC Provincial Nominee Program information sessions.
Use this tutorial for guidance on how to hire a private authorized immigration representative if needed.