FAQs for international students
Get timely updates on immigration, work eligibility, and health insurance for international students.
Get timely updates on immigration, work eligibility, and health insurance for international students.
A study permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) which allows you to study and stay in Canada temporarily.
You must have a study permit if your courses or program of studies is longer than 6 months.
You do not need a study permit if your program or course:
Some students are also study permit exempt.
Depending on your country of citizenship, you might need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.
To maintain your student status, you will need to meet all of the following requirements:
Study permits become automatically invalid in one of two ways, whichever comes first:
If you do not submit an application to extend your study permit before it becomes invalid, you must stop studying and working immediately.
Tip: for helpful reminders to keep track of your important documents use UBC’s reminder system.
International students in Canada on a study permit are required to actively pursue studies.
Certain students are exempt from this requirement such as exchange students and refugee claimants.
These enrolment statuses are considered ‘actively pursuing studies’:
Note: UBC is required to report to IRCC on your enrolment status twice a year based on UBC’s definitions for immigration purposes.
IRCC also requires you to remain enrolled and make reasonable progress towards the completion of your studies. You are welcome to change your majors, programs or in some cases institutions during your time in Canada. However, an officer may request additional information to ensure your intention to be in Canada is to study.
If you reside in India, Nepal, or Bhutan when you apply for an initial study permit, the instructions for the visa offices in India (pdf) currently list an unconditional letter of acceptance as a requirement when applying for a study permit. In December 2022, the Canadian High Commission in India announced on Twitter that you can use a conditional letter of acceptance. We have confirmed that conditional letters can be used for both Student Direct Stream and regular study permit applications. The visa office instructions are in the process of being updated.
In BC, students under 19 are considered minor children, and when you apply for a study permit you might need to have a custodian, who is a responsible adult (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) who will support you.
If you are 17 or 18: an immigration officer will decide whether or not you need a custodian; if you are not required to show proof of a custodian when you apply, you can apply without it; if you need it, an officer will notify you after you apply. For more information, visit IRCC's details about minors.
If you do require a custodian:
You should apply for a study permit extension as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from UBC. If you are in Canada, you must apply before your study permit becomes invalid.
Your study permit becomes invalid in one of two ways, whichever comes first:
You can start your studies at UBC if you have applied for a study permit extension before your study permit became invalid and you’re waiting for your new study permit, as long as you haven’t left Canada after your study permit became invalid.
You can only apply for a study permit extension when you are in Canada. If you have travel plans, you have a few options:
Learn about the differences between applying inside or outside Canada and be sure to review our travelling to Canada guide.
If you already have a valid study permit, you might be able to use that permit to study at UBC.
You can apply for an initial study permit directly at an international airport in Canada upon arrival or at most major US/Canada border-crossings.
Follow the same steps as outlined in the study permit tutorial. Note:
If you are currently a legal resident of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam, you have two pathways available for a study permit application – the regular stream and the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
If you have all the documents required for SDS at the time of application and provide your biometrics as soon as possible (if required), the SDS stream typically provides faster processing times. Please note that the SDS estimated processing times are not guaranteed. You should apply for your study permit as soon as possible.
One of the eligibility requirements for SDS is proof of upfront tuition payment. As of February 28, 2022, UBC offers pre-payment of tuition for SDS-eligible international students starting in any future term. You will need to submit a Student Direct Stream pre-payment application.
Students studying in the Diploma in Accounting program are not eligible to prepay tuition so cannot apply through the Student Direct Stream.
We recommend that you apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your UBC letter of admission. If your registration date has already arrived you can pre-pay your tuition and apply through the SDS stream. If you have already registered for courses, your tuition assessment is available in the Student Service Centre (SSC). You can view your Term 1 and Term 2 tuition amounts in 'Financial Summary' under Finances. After making a payment it may take 1-5 days for tuition payment to appear on your account. You can get proof of payment from your SSC by selecting 'Tuition History' under Finances.
If your contact information changes after you have submitted an application, be sure to update it through IRCC's webform.
If you will be studying in Canada for more than six months, you require a valid study permit for the duration of your studies. Apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance.
Every study permit has an expiration date, and you must renew it before it expires if you’re planning to study in Canada past your study permit’s expiration date. Study permits can only be renewed from inside Canada.
Amendments apply only to the mistakes that are made by IRCC when your documents were issued. For example, if you are eligible to work in Canada, but the wording on your study permit states you "may not work" or "may not accept employment", you will need to amend your study permit to get the right wording to apply for a SIN in order to work.
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC's Vancouver campus.
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.
You can connect with International Student Advising for questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.