International Students
Tips on communicating with IRCC
Immigration documentation
Immigration documents you need to study at UBC
There are three main categories of people in Canada: citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents. International students, foreign workers, and visitors are all temporary residents.
As an international student, there are a number of documents you need to study in Canada. You are responsible for maintaining your immigration status and complying with immigration regulations while you’re in Canada.
Most international students at UBC require:
Passport
If your passport will expire while you’re in Canada, all of your immigration documents, your MSP coverage and Social Insurance Number (SIN) will normally expire at the same time. Canadian immigration documents cannot be issued beyond your passport’s expiry date. Applications can take several months, depending on your home country’s procedures, so apply for a new passport or extend (if needed) as soon as possible.
Study permit
A valid study permit authorizes you to remain in Canada while you study. If you are an international student, you require a valid study permit to study in Canada. The only exception: if you are accepted in a program that is less than six months (e.g. one-term exchange students) and you will complete the program by the end of your original stay in Canada, you do not need a study permit.
A travel document
Either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your country of citizenship. If you apply for a study permit from outside Canada, a TRV or eTA is issued automatically when the application is approved. US citizens and lawful US permanent residents are exempt.
Documentation for your family
If you’re bringing your family to Canada with you, make sure they have the immigration documentation they need.
International students coming from Canadian high schools or post-secondary institutions
As of November 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. On Dec 11, 2024, IRCC announced a temporary measure allowing students to begin studies in Winter Term 2 (Jan-Apr, 2025) while your study permit extension is being processed if you meet the requirements. 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 acceptance as soon as you receive it.
Maintaining your documents
You are responsible for maintaining your immigration status and obeying immigration regulations during your stay in Canada.
Immigration document reminder system
The UBC International Student Reminder System was created to help you stay on top of your immigration document expiry dates by emailing you reminders so you can take action before your documents expire.
You must enter the expiration dates for your immigration documents in the International Student Reminder System as soon as you receive them.
When to extend your documents
Six months before expiration date.
Before or after expiration date (depending on travel plans), usually after you extend your study permit or receive a post-graduate work permit.
Usually after you extend your study permit or receive a post-graduate work permit. Please check the maintained status impacts on your MSP Coverage for more information.
Usually after you extend your study permit or receive a post-graduate work permit (optional, if you are authorized to work in Canada).
Optional, if you want government-issued photo identification.
Optional.
If you extend your study permit (or transition from student status to worker status by applying for a post-graduation work permit) you will need to extend other documents after you receive your new permit.
amending your immigration documents
If your study permit, work permit, or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) have any mistakes (for example, your name or date of birth are incorrect), you must contact Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and request to amend your documents. Mail your documents to the address in Ottawa indicated in the Instruction Guide. You should plan to remain in Canada until your documents have been corrected.
If you are currently outside Canada, make sure to amend your documents before you travel to Canada to avoid issues or delays at the Canadian border.
Note: Amendments apply only to the mistakes that are made by IRCC when your documents were issued.
Your valid temporary resident documents are meant to demonstrate to employers, schools, or other authorities that you are authorized to work, study, visit, or remain in Canada. The information contained in these documents should be the same as the information contained in your entry passport.
Changes made to personal information after you entered Canada will not be amended on your temporary resident document. The information on this document should match your passport. If the information on your passport changes, you should apply for a new document.
If your immigration documents get lost or stolen
- If your passport is lost or stolen, you must replace it immediately. You must have a new passport before replacing any Canadian permits or applying for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), if you had one.
- If your study or work permits are lost or stolen, you must request a replacement from IRCC.
- Follow instructions on the IRCC website and submit your application with proof of payment of the $30 processing fee. Expect your documents to arrive by mail in approximately two weeks.
- You may continue studying and/or working while your documents are being replaced.
- You should not leave Canada until you receive your replacement study or work permit.
It’s a good idea to keep photocopies of all your important documents (including your credit cards, passport, immigration documents, bank information, and health insurance cards) in a safe place in case the originals are lost or stolen.
International student resources
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
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.
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.
