How to extend your study permit from within Canada

Immigration updates

As of Jan 22, 2025, most new to UBC students submitting study permit application from inside Canada must include a valid Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with their  study permit application.   

Current UBC students who applied for their study permit with a UBC Letter of Admission and are applying to extend their  study permit to continue in the same level of studies (undergraduate level or graduate degree level) are exempt from the PAL. Check the full list of students who are exempt from the PAL.

Find out who needs a PAL and how to get a PAL, if you need one.

Plan ahead if your documents expire soon and you have travel plans. You will need to get a PAL if you apply for a study permit from outside Canada. 

As of Nov 8, 2024,  you must be enrolled at the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) named on your study permit. If you change institutions, you must apply for a study permit extension for your new institution and most students need to receive the new study permit before beginning studies at your new institution. If you are coming to UBC from a Canadian high school or from another post-secondary institution, be sure to apply for a study permit extension with your UBC Letter of Admission and Provincial Attestation Letter as soon as you receive them. 

As of Jan 1, 2024, the minimum cost-of-living financial requirement has increased from $10,000 to $20,635 for 2024. The cost-of-living amount will be adjusted each year based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off.

Get timely updates on immigration, work eligibility, and health insurance for international students.

Overview of the process

First, create your document checklist

The steps outlined below are applicable for online applications only.

1. If you’re applying online, login or create a Secure Account on the IRCC website. 
2. Complete the questionnaire to generate a checklist of application forms and required documents.
3. After completing the questionnaire, you will be guided to a screen titled “Your document checklist.“

In the questionnaire, for the question “do you have a provincial or territorial attestation letter or meet an exemption from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter”:

• New to UBC students: if you are coming to UBC from a Canadian high school or another post-secondary institution, or you are in Canada as a visitor or worker, you must include a PAL in your application. Select “Yes, I have a provincial or territorial attestation letter”. 
• Current UBC students in the same level of studies:  If you applied for your study permit with a UBC Letter of Admission and need to extend your study permit to continue in the same level of studies at UBC (undergraduate level or graduate degree level) you are exempt from the PAL. For example, you are an undergraduate student continuing in the same program, or a master’s degree student who will begin a doctoral degree. Select “Yes, I meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter”.
• Current UBC students changing levels of study at UBC: If you applied for your study permit with a UBC Letter of Admission and are changing levels of study at UBC, such as from a bachelor’s degree or a graduate diploma/certificate to a master’s degree, you will need a PAL.  Select “Yes, I have a provincial or territorial attestation letter”. 
• Check the full list of students who are exempt from the PAL and find out more on who needs a PAL and how to get a PAL from UBC, if you need one.

Check the Canvas study permit extension application review course for more tips and a video on how to answer the questionnaire and generate your document checklist.

Gather your required documents

You’ll need to prepare your transcript, Letter of Enrolment, a copy of your passport, and more.

Complete the application form

Your application form is an important part of your application. Missing or incorrect information can negatively impact the outcome of your application. Follow five steps to a comprehensive application.

Get your study permit

If your application is approved, IRCC will mail the new study permit to your mailing address. Save a digital copy immediately in a safe and accessible location.

After you receive your permit

Keep your immigration and health insurance documents up-to-date by completing the following important steps:

1. Add the expiry date of your new study permit in the UBC Reminder System.
2. Extend your Medical Services Plan (MSP).
3. Extend your Social Insurance Number (SIN) if you have one. You need to meet eligibility criteria and have a valid SIN to work in Canada.
4. Apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to travel to Canada (if your country of citizenship requires one).

If your contact information changes after submitting your application, be sure to update it via IRCC’s webform.

If you need help

Before submitting your application

Sign up for the new Canvas application review course to go over required documents, learn how to fill out the form, avoid common mistakes, and be ready to submit your application.

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.

International Student Guide

Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

The information on this page may change

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.