International students in Canada: Remember to update your study permit

International students in Canada: Remember to update your study permit

If you’re an international student coming to UBC from a Canadian high school, you’ll need to take action to extend your study permit while you are in Canada.

You must extend your study permit before it becomes invalid. Your study permit becomes invalid in one of two ways: either 90 days after you receive written confirmation of your high school completion (even if your study permit has not expired), or on your study permit’s expiry date – whichever comes first.

You can start your studies at UBC if you applied for a study permit extension before your study permit became invalid and you’re waiting for your new study permit, as long as you didn’t leave Canada after your study permit became invalid.

You can maintain your study permit requirements in Canada if you have less than 150 days between programs or institutions and have a valid study permit, or have applied to extend it before it expired. If it will be more than 150 days between programs or institutions please contact International Student Advising for support.

When do you apply?

You should apply as soon as you receive your letter of admission from UBC. If you are in Canada you must apply before your study permit becomes invalid.

How do you apply?

If you’re in Canada and your existing study permit is still valid, apply to extend your study permit by reviewing the step-by-step study permit extension tutorial for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver, then complete the Canvas application review course. Be sure to apply before your study permit becomes invalid.

You can only apply for a study permit extension when you are in Canada. If you have travel plans, you have a few options:

  • Apply for an extension before you leave Canada using a trusted friend’s Canadian address, and return before your study permit becomes invalid and your Temporary Resident Visa expires (if applicable). If your study permit is issued while you are away, ask your friend to send a digital copy and mail the original study permit to you so that you can return with it.
  • If you have already left, you may come back to Canada and extend your study permit before your study permit becomes invalid and your Temporary Resident Visa expires (if applicable).
  • If you will not be returning to Canada before your study permit becomes invalid, apply for an initial study permit by using the step-by-step initial study permit tutorial for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver from outside Canada as soon as possible. Check the Canvas application review course for regular applications or Student Direct Stream before you submit it. In general, extension applications submitted in Canada are faster and simpler.

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

What if you still have questions?

To find out more about your study permit requirements, check out our UBC International Student Guide for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver. If you still have questions, our International Student Advising team at UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver is here for you.

Share this post