Study permit

You must have a study permit if your program of study is 6 months or longer.

You do not need a study permit if your program or course:

Some students are also study permit exempt.

You might want to apply for a study permit (even if this is not required) if:

Study permits become automatically invalid in one of three ways, whichever comes first:

• The expiry date on the study permit, OR
• 90 days after written confirmation of program completion first becomes available, OR
• As of Nov 8, 2024, the day you are no longer enrolled at the Designated Learning Institution that is named on your study permit (other than as a result of completing your studies).

If you do not submit an application to extend your study permit before it becomes invalid, you must stop studying and working immediately and contact International Student Advising for support.

Tip: For helpful reminders to keep track of your important documents use the UBC International Student 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. If you need to take time away from your studies but you are not eligible for an authorized leave, contact International Student Advising for support.

IRCC also requires you to remain enrolled and make reasonable progress towards the completion of your studies. You may change your majors, programs or in some cases, institutions during your time in Canada. However, an officer may request additional information to ensure your intentions to be in Canada are to study.

If you applied for your study permit with a UBC letter of Admission, you can change programs at UBC without taking further action steps with IRCC. If you need to extend your study permit and you’ve changed levels of studies at UBC, check to see if you will need a Provincial Attestation Letter in your application. If you’ve taken time away from studies or studied at another institution, contact International Student Advising for support.

If you change institutions, you must apply for a study permit for your new institution as soon as possible, and most students need to receive the new study permit before beginning studies at your new institution. There are special rules for students transferring from Canadian high schools. Check important considerations for details.

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 under 17: you must have a custodian in order to study in Canada.
• 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:

• UBC is not able to act as your custodian.
• We recommend arranging with a close friend or relative in Canada to act as your custodian.
• If you do not have a close friend or relative in Canada, you can also consider a private company to provide this service.
  • First Choice International is a company that provides custodianship services in the Greater Vancouver Area. Note: First Choice International is not affiliated with UBC in any way.

You should apply for a new study permit (an extension inside Canada or an application from outside Canada) as soon as you receive your Letter of Admission and Provincial Attestation Letter from UBC.

As of Nov 8, 2024, you must be enrolled at the DLI named on your study permit. If you change institutions, you must apply for a new study permit.

On July 4, 2025, IRCC published an update for students transferring from Canadian high schools to post-secondary institutions. As long as you apply for your UBC study permit extension inside Canada before your study permit becomes invalid, you can begin studies at UBC while your study permit extension application is being processed. Your study permit becomes invalid on whichever comes first:

• The day your study permit expires or
• 90 days after you’ve finished high school

Find your situation below for more details. If you finished high school earlier than July, or you were studying in high school as a visitor without a study permit, contact International Student Advising for support.

If you are inside Canada and don’t have travel plans

If you are in Canada, you must apply for a study permit extension inside Canada before your study permit becomes invalid. This mean you must apply within 90 days after you have finished high school, or before your study permit expires – whichever comes first.

If you apply before your study permit becomes invalid, you can begin studies at UBC while IRCC is processing your study permit extension under maintained status, even if your study permit later expires while you are waiting (so long as you stay in Canada).

If you leave Canada after your study permit becomes invalid, you would not be able to study at UBC until you receive your new UBC study permit.

If you are outside Canada or have travel plans

You can only apply for a study permit extension when you are in Canada and must apply before your study permit becomes invalid (see above section).

To return to Canada, you need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your country of citizenship. US citizens are exempt.

If you have travel plans, you have a few options:

• Apply for a study permit extension before you leave Canada using a trusted friend’s Canadian address.
  • If your study permit is issued while you are away, ask your friend to send a digital copy and to mail the original study permit to you so that you can return with it.
  • If your new study permit has not been issued at the time of travel, and you return to Canada before your current study permit becomes invalid, you would have maintained status and can begin your studies at UBC while your application is being processed (so long as you do not leave Canada after your study permit becomes invalid).
  • If your new study permit has not been issued at the time of travel, and your current study permit becomes invalid while you are outside of Canada, you will not have maintained status. If you are permitted to enter Canada, you may be granted visitor status up to 6 months. You must receive your study permit before you can begin studies at UBC. Apply to extend your stay as a visitor if you don’t receive your study permit before your visitor status ends.
• Travel, then return to Canada and apply for a study permit extension before your current study permit becomes invalid.
  • If you have already left Canada without applying for a study permit, you may return to Canada and extend your study permit before your current study permit becomes invalid. You would then be allowed to begin studies at UBC while your study permit application is being processed under maintained status (so long as you do not leave Canada after your study permit becomes invalid).
• Apply for a study permit from outside of Canada as soon as possible.
  • If you submit your application outside of Canada, you should wait for your Letter of Introduction (study permit approval letter) before travelling to Canada, then collect your new study permit at the airport/border crossing when you re-enter Canada. A Temporary Resident Visa/Electronic Travel Authorization is issued automatically when you apply for a study permit from outside Canada.

When considering your options, check estimated processing times for study permit extensions inside Canada and study permit applications outside Canada through your home country. Note that processing times are estimated and are based on how long it took to process 80% of previous applications, and can change weekly.

Learn about the differences between applying inside or outside Canada and be sure to review our travelling to Canada guide.

Contact International Student Advising for support.

You should apply for a new study permit (an extension inside Canada or an application from outside Canada) as soon as you receive your Letter of Admission and Provincial Attestation Letter from UBC.

As of Nov 8, 2024, you must be enrolled at the DLI named on your study permit. If you change institutions, you must apply for a new study permit and most students need to receive a new study permit before you can begin studying at UBC.

If you are inside Canada and don’t have travel plans

If you are in Canada, you must apply for a study permit extension before your study permit becomes invalid. This means:

• If you have finished a certificate, diploma or degree at your previous institution, you must apply within 90 days after you have finished your program, or before your study permit expires – whichever comes first.
• If you have not finished a certificate, diploma or degree at your previous institution, and you are transferring to UBC, contact International Student Advising for assistance as soon as possible.
• You cannot begin studies at UBC until you have received your new UBC study permit.

If you are outside Canada or have travel plans

You can only apply for a study permit extension when you are in Canada and must apply before your study permit becomes invalid (see above section).

To return to Canada, you need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your country of citizenship. US citizens and Permanent Residents are exempt.

If you have travel plans, you have a few options:

• Apply for a study permit extension before you leave Canada using a trusted friend’s Canadian address.
  • If your study permit is issued while you are away, ask your friend to send a digital copy and to mail the original study permit to you so that you can return with it.
  • If your new study permit is not issued before you travel, and you return to Canada before your current study permit becomes invalid, you would have maintained status and can stay in Canada while your application is being processed. However you cannot study and need to receive your new study permit before you can start at UBC.
  • If your new study permit is not issued before you return, and you return to Canada after your current study permit has become invalid with a valid Temporary Resident Visa/Electronic Travel Authorization, you would have visitor status up to 6 months and must receive your study permit before you can begin studies. Apply to extend your stay as a visitor if you don’t receive your study permit before your visitor status ends.
• Travel, then apply for a study permit extension inside Canada before your study permit becomes invalid
  • If you have already left Canada without applying to extend your study permit, you may return to Canada and extend your current study permit before it becomes invalid, however this would not allow much time for study permit processing. You will not be able to start your studies at UBC until you receive your new study permit.
• Apply for a study permit from outside of Canada as soon as possible.
  • If you apply for your study permit outside of Canada, you should wait for your Letter of Introduction (study permit approval letter) before travelling to Canada, then collect your new study permit at the airport/border crossing when you re-enter Canada. A Temporary Resident Visa/Electronic Travel Authorization is issued automatically when you apply for a study permit from outside Canada.

When considering your options, check estimated processing times for study permit extensions inside Canada and study permit applications outside Canada through your home country. Note that processing times are estimated and are based on how long it took to process 80% of previous applications, and can change weekly. Learn about the differences between applying inside or outside Canada and be sure to review our travelling to Canada guide.

Contact International Student Advising for support.

You have the option to apply for an initial study permit in person at the airport when you arrive in Canada or at most major US/Canada border-crossings.

Applications at the border require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of British Columbia (unless you are exempt). 

To apply at the border/airport on arrival, follow the same steps as outlined in the study permit tutorial and print all documents to bring with you. Note the following:

• You can pay the application fee ($150 CAD) directly at the border by cash, debit, or credit card.
• If your spouse or common-law partner will accompany you, bring along documentation of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate or common-law partnership declaration.
• If you’re under 17 years old and come to Canada without a parent or legal guardian, you must find a custodian. If you are 17 or 18 the officer will determine if you will require a custodian. For certainty, consider applying for your study permit online in advance of arrival. Generally, custodianship is not required if you travel with a parent. Refer to the section “If you are under 19 years old” for more information.

If the officer approves your application, they will print the study permit and issue it to you on the spot. Make sure that all of the information on the study permit is correct, and that the study permit says on it that you may work or accept employment.

If you are a current student, note that you typically cannot extend your study permit at the border. Contact International Student Advising for support.