UBC definitions have been updated in order to clarify your eligibility to work on and off campus [1]. The definitions below are effective as of September 7, 2016.
[1] Work refers to work which is authorized by a study permit. Students who also hold work permits may be able to work additional days/hours in addition to work authorized by their study permits.
Updated: April 2018
Record of your enrolment status is on the Student Information Service Centre (SISC), which is accessed by UBC staff. If you’re unclear about your student status for immigration purposes, you can check in with graduate studies staff, academic advisors or your Enrolment Services Advisor to see what's on record in the SISC. The following definitions include the 4-letter code that is on your record as your registration status in the SISC.
This definition is for immigration purposes to denote students who may be eligible to work full time on or off campus [1].
Registered, eligible, or continuing students in UBC degree, diploma, or certificate programs are considered on a “scheduled break” if:
Graduate & DAP students: Students in graduate programs or the Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) are deemed to be on an academic summer session, not a scheduled break.
Students on a scheduled break are permitted to work full time on or off campus for a total amount of 180 days per calendar year.
Scheduled breaks include:
International students on a scheduled break can start work on the first day after the posted final exam period of the term as per the UBC Vancouver or UBC Okanagan academic calendar. They can work until the day before the first day of classes of the term that follows the break.
Exception: If an international student’s academic program has start and end dates which differ from those specified in the applicable academic calendar, the student can start work on the first day after the posted final exam period of their program’s term. They can work until the day before the first day of classes of the term that follows the break.
[1] Work refers to work which is authorized by a study permit. Students who also hold work permits may be able to work additional days/hours in addition to work authorized by their study permits.
This definition is for immigration purposes to denote students who may be eligible to work on or off campus [1]. Starting June 1, 2014, full-time status is the minimum requirement to work on or off campus.
International students with full-time status can start work on the first day of the term as per the UBC Vancouver or UBC Okanagan academic calendar. They must stop work on the last day of the final exam period according to the academic calendar.
Exception: If an international student’s academic program has start and end dates which differ from those specified in the applicable academic calendar, the student can start work on the first day of their program’s term, and they must stop work on the last day of their program’s term.
Notes:
[1] Work refers to work which is authorized by a study permit. Students who also hold work permits may be able to work additional days/hours in addition to work authorized by their study permits.
UBC students are considered by UBC to be “full time for immigration purposes” if they meet any one of the following definitions:
This category also includes Diploma in Accounting (“DAPP” on the SISC), Juris Doctor (JD), Unclassified (“UNCL” on the SISC), Access Studies (“ACES” on the SISC), Exchange (“EXCH” on the SISC), and Visiting (“VISI” on the SISC) students.
* Students taking graduate-level courses but not enrolled in a graduate program fall into this category.
WINTER TERM 1 OR 2:
SUMMER (MAY TO AUGUST):
FINAL ACADEMIC TERM:
Registered ("REGI" on the SISC) in any number of credits in the “final” term – “final” as determined by their academic advising office before program completion
If a final course spans two terms (e.g. 6 credits), each term may be determined to be a final term.
If final coursework is taken during the summer session (May to August), the student can be registered for any number of credits during this period. Their full-time status continues until their letter of completion is available.
Visiting International Research Students (VIRS, and at UBC Okanagan, VIRO) and Visiting Research Exchange Students are considered by UBC to be “full time for immigration purposes” if they are registered (“REGI” on the SISC). Please check with Go Global if you think this applies to you.
Students with academic accommodations are considered to be “full time for immigration purposes” if they are registered in 6 or more credits and have reduced course load accommodation as determined by Access & Diversity (Vancouver), or the Disability Resource Centre (Okanagan) in line with Policy 73, Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.
UBC students away on exchange term(s) abroad are considered "full time for immigration purposes” if they are registered (“REGI” on the SISC).
UBC students on a co-op work term are considered by UBC to be "full time for immigration purposes” if they are registered (“REGI” on the SISC).
UBC students enrolled in the UBC Okanagan English Foundation Program are considered by UBC to be "full time for immigration purposes”.
UBC students who completed program requirements and whose program completion letter is not yet available are considered by UBC to be “full time for immigration purposes”.
UBC students are considered by UBC to be “part time for immigration purposes” if they are
No minimum number of credits is required to have “part-time” status.
Part-time students cannot work on or off campus [1].
[1] Work refers to work which is authorized by a study permit. Students who also hold work permits may be able to work additional days/hours in addition to work authorized by their study permits.
UBC students are considered by UBC to be on an “authorized leave for immigration purposes” in a given term if they are:
This status is available to graduate students only.
UBC students are considered by UBC to have “deferred enrolment” if:
Deferred enrolment is determined by Enrolment Services, the Faculty, or program.
UBC students are considered by UBC to be on “academic suspension for immigration purposes” (with or without the option to return) as determined by their academic program.
UBC students are considered by UBC to be “no-shows for immigration purposes” if:
This status applies to students who, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, have “not started their program yet. This status is intended for students who have not entered the country as of yet but were issued a study permit at the DLI [Designated Learning Institution].”
UBC will not use this status as it requires data not available to the institution.
Proof of Enrolment Letter (SSC) |
Enrolment Letter (Academic Advising) |
Program Completion Letter (SSC) |
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What is it? |
A standard letter proving your enrolment in a given session |
A personalized letter with detailed information about your academic enrolment, specifically your academic progress and expected completion date | A standard letter confirming the completion of your program requirements |
When do I need it? |
To extend your study permit To prove you are a full-time student (e.g. to show to an employer) |
To extend/apply for a new study permit ONLY in non-standard situations (e.g. your studies are taking longer than usual; you took a break from studies for military service) To confirm your anticipated program completion date |
To apply for a post-graduation work permit after you complete your program but before written confirmation of your completion is available (e.g. official transcript) |
How do I get it? |
If you are a student in a non-standard situation (ONLY necessary if the relevant information is unclear in your SSC Proof of Enrolment letter), email your Enrolment Services Advisor, subject line: “request for a tailored enrolment letter”
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Undergraduate students: Request a letter from your Academic Advising Office Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate students: Request a letter from your department staff or academic supervisor |
If your request is urgent, ask your academic advising office (undergrads) or department staff (grads) |
