Last updated: March 22, 2024

International students need a valid study permit to attend UBC. Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government department that handles immigration. As an international student, you’ll either need to extend your existing study permit from inside of Canada or apply for a new study permit from outside of Canada.

 

You’ll need to apply for a new study permit or an extension directly with IRCC as soon as you are able. You can’t apply for a study permit until you’ve accepted your offer of admission and paid the deposit. For new study permit applications from outside Canada, you must also receive a Provincial Attestation Letter before you can apply for your study permit. You must have your application approved and receive your letter of introduction from IRCC.

 

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a medical exam or you may need to provide biometric information in addition to supporting documentation. To get started:

 

For international undergraduate students outside Canada

If you are applying for a new study permit from outside of Canada, you need a Provincial Attestation Letter. To apply for your study permit:

1. Verify your personal information with UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Edit Profile and select Contact Summary to confirm that your name matches the name on your passport and that your home address and birthdate is correct. You can update your address there. To update your name or other personal information, email us at ubc.pal@ubc.ca.
2. Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit.
3. UBC will send you your Provincial Attestation Letter in about 3 business days. Check your email account that UBC has on record to get your Provincial Attestation Letter.
4. Download your letter of admission from UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Admissions, and select Letter of Admission. You will need both your offer of admission and your Provincial Attestation Letter in your study permit application.
5. Follow the steps to apply. Learn more about how to apply for an initial study permit for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver.

 

For international undergraduate students inside Canada

If you are extending your study permit from inside of Canada before it becomes invalid, you don’t need a Provincial Attestation Letter. You can confirm that you’re exempt from requiring a Provincial Attestation Letter on the IRCC website. To extend your study permit:

1. Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit.
2. Download your letter of admission from UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Admissions, and select Letter of Admission.
3. Follow the steps to apply. Learn more about how to apply for a study permit extension for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver.

 

If you are in Canada as a visitor or asylum seeker, contact International Student Advising at UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver for support.