International Student Advising

About International Student Advising

If you have questions about life as an international student, International Student Advising is here to help. International Student Advisors are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) who can support you in your experience as a UBC international student.

Top reasons to connect

• Get help with your visa, study permit, and work permit application.
• Ask about part-time or full-time work requirements.
• Learn about your health insurance coverage.
• Talk to someone about transitioning to life in Canada.

International Student Guide

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

Health and immigration updates and FAQs

Get the latest updates on immigration and health insurance for international students in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Online application review courses

Before applying for your initial study permit, study permit extension, Temporary Resident Visa, co-op work permit, or Post-Graduation Work Permit, sign up for the Canvas application review courses to go over your application and avoid common mistakes.

Additional resources

International Student Advising is unable to help with the following topics, but you can find information at the links below:

• Permanent Residence
• Prospective student inquiries
• Postdoctoral fellows immigration documents
• Parent, extended family, or friend’s immigration documents (International Student Advising can only support spouses, common-law partners, and children)
• Work permits unrelated to studies
• Influencing processing times
• Contacting IRCC on your behalf
• Taxes
• Starting your own business
• US immigration
• Advising non-UBC students (contact your institution’s international student office)

Contact us

• Phone: 604 822 5021
• Address: Room 1200, UBC Life Building (6138 Student Union Boulevard)

Submit a question

Leave a message for an International Student Advisor to get advice.

In-person advising

Visit the International Student Advising office in the UBC Life Building at room 1200 of 6138 Student Union Boulevard, located on the main floor across from Starbucks.

Before arriving at the office, you can sign in to the virtual line to save your spot. Learn more about the International Student Advising Virtual Line. You can also join the virtual line at the office by using the tablet at the front desk.

International Student Advising is closed on all statutory holidays observed by UBC.

• Monday: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
• Tuesday: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
• Wednesday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Thursday: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
• Friday: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Zoom advising

International Student Advising is available to meet virtually on Zoom. Join the virtual line with your North American phone number, if you have one, and you’ll receive the Zoom link when it’s your turn in line. Signing in with a North American phone number will give you the ability to check your place in line, push your appointment back, leave the line, or get an update when it’s almost your turn.

If you don’t have a North American phone number, you can sign up with your email and receive updates by email. 

Learn more about the International Student Advising Virtual Line and find step-by-step instructions on how to download and use Zoom.

Zoom advising hours are as follows. Advising is closed on statutory holidays.

• Monday: 9:30 to 11:30 am, 1:00 to 2:30 pm
• Tuesday: 9:30 to 11:30 am, 1:00 to 2:30 pm
• Wednesday: 10:00 to 11:30 am, 1:00 to 2:30 pm
• Thursday: 9:30 to 11:30 am, 1:00 to 2:30 pm
• Friday: 9:30 to 11:30 am, 1:00 to 2:30 pm

While we strive to support as many students as possible, when there is high volume, we may not be able to connect with you. If you are in the queue and there are a large number of students in front of you before Zoom advising hours end, you will be removed from the line without a warning message. We apologize for not being able to assist you at that time. Please rejoin the queue when we re-open or send us a webform.

Get immigration reminders

Add your document expiry dates to the confidential UBC Reminder System and receive notifications for when you need to extend your documents. You can also get helpful tips on how to prepare your application. 

Hear about jobs, news, and events

Sign up for the Community Update newsletter to get important weekly updates for international UBC students.