International Students
Tips on communicating with IRCC
IRCC Announcements
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a series of policy changes since Jan 22, 2024.
Latest update: July 16 at 1:40 PM
Information may have changed since publishing. This post was accurate at the time of publication.
Important changes to the Co-op work permit program
As of April 1, 2026, a Co-op work permit will no longer be required to participate in a Co-op, internship, or practicum that is part of your program of study.
If work is required to complete your academic program, such as a Co-op, a practicum, or an internship, you will now be able to use your on-campus or off-campus work eligibility.
Review the April 9, 2026 news release for details.
Provincial Attestation Letters
All students outside Canada (except Master’s and Doctoral students, as well as exchange students through Go Global) and most new to UBC students submitting a study permit application from inside Canada must include a valid PAL with their study permit application.
Check UBC’s Provincial Attestation Letter page for more information on the PAL and how to get a PAL, if you need one.
If you plan to travel outside Canada
If you are a current student, plan ahead if your documents expire soon and you have plans to travel outside Canada. You would need to get a PAL if you apply for a study permit from outside Canada.
Changing institutions
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 for your new institution and most students need to receive the new study permit before beginning studies at your new institution.
Check important considerations for details.
On Dec 11, 2024, IRCC announced a temporary policy allowing students to begin studies between Jan 1, 2025 to May 1, 2025, while their study permit extension was being processed. This temporary policy has not been extended.
Canadian high school students
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 expires or within 90 days of finishing high school—whichever comes first—you can begin studies at UBC while your study permit extension application is being processed. If you apply, then leave Canada after your study permit becomes invalid, you will lose maintained status and will not be able to study until you receive your study permit.
Students transferring to UBC from another post-secondary institution must wait to receive their new study permit before beginning studies at UBC.
Check important considerations for details.
Living expenses
As of Sep 1, 2025, the proof of funds required for one year of living expenses in study permit applications will increase from $20,635 to $22,895 for an individual. If you have dependents, check IRCC’s table for details.
Application changes for students pursuing Master’s and Doctoral degrees
On Nov 6, 2025, IRCC launched a Graduate Student portal, where international graduate students can find information about how to apply for a study permit, life in Canada, and other updates.
Provincial Attestation Letters
Starting Jan 1, 2026, Master’s degree and Doctoral degree students attending a public university, such as UBC, will be exempt from the requirement to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) when applying for a study permit. If you will submit your study permit application before Jan 1, 2026, you still need to include a PAL with your application.
Faster processing for Doctoral degree students
On Nov 6, 2025, IRCC announced that Doctoral degree (PhD) students and their accompanying family members may be eligible for faster processing of their applications. Make sure that you are eligible and follow the instructions to benefit from this update.
Work eligibility
Off-campus work policies
The temporary policies allowing some international students to work more than 20 hours a week off-campus were not extended beyond April 30, 2024. From May 1, 2024, the usual off-campus work policies resumed allowing eligible students to work up to 20 hours a week off-campus.
As of Nov 8, 2024, off-campus work hours have been increased from 20 to 24 hours a week during academic sessions. Review the Nov 15, 2024 news release. Make sure you are eligible to work off-campus.
Co-op work permits
IRCC update for students in a Co-op, internship, or practicum
As of April 1, 2026, a Co-op work permit will no longer be required to participate in a Co-op, internship, or practicum that is part of your program of study.
If work is required to complete your academic program, such as a Co-op, a practicum, or an internship, you will now be able to use your on-campus or off-campus work eligibility.
Review the April 9, 2026 news release for details.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
As of Feb 15, 2024, graduates of master’s degree programs which are 8 months or longer can apply for a 3-year PGWP if eligible for the PGWP. Graduate certificates and diplomas are not master’s degrees and thus do not qualify.
As of Jun 21, 2024, PGWP applicants can no longer apply at the Canada-US border through “flagpoling”. Learn about applying for the PGWP online.
As of Nov 1, 2024, all PGWP applications require proof of English or French language skills. University students require a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English, or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) 7 in French. See the equivalency table for different language tests.
As of Nov 1, 2024, students who apply for a study permit for certificate or diploma programs (including graduate certificates and diplomas) at universities must meet the field of study requirement to be eligible for the PGWP. This does not apply to students in undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees, or doctoral degrees at universities.
Spousal Open Work Permit
As of Mar 19, 2024, only spouses of students in master’s degree, doctoral degree or professional degree programs are eligible for a spousal open work permit while pursuing studies.
As of Dec 23, 2024, it is no longer possible to apply for a spousal work permit at the Canada-US border through “flagpoling”. US citizens, lawful US permanent residents as well as some individuals can still apply for a work permit when entering Canada at the airport or land border, such as those who are exempt from a Temporary Resident Visa. Note this does not include Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) expansion countries.
On Jan 14, 2025, IRCC confirmed the policy changes for spousal work permits which are effective Jan 21, 2025.
For your spouse or common-law partner to be eligible for a spousal work permit during your studies, you must be enrolled in a doctoral program, master’s degree program which is 16 months or longer, or select programs.
For your spouse or common-law partner to be eligible for a spousal work permit while you are applying for/have a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must be employed in TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or select high-skilled TEER 2 or 3 occupations, and have at least 16 months remaining on your work permit at the time of application. Dependent children are no longer eligible for a work permit.
If your common-law partner or spouse has a spousal work permit under the previous rules, it will remain valid until the expiry date. If they are in Canada it could be extended to match your study or work permit if they are applying under the same criteria as their current work permit. Contact International Student Advising for support.
Immigration and Health Insurance updates and FAQs
Find out about updates and FAQs on immigration, health insurance, and more.
Links to IRCC policy announcements since Jan 22, 2024
For specific details, review the following online resources:
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.
