To study in Canada, you’ll need to apply for a study permit well in advance and receive approval before you travel to Canada and start your UBC classes. You’ll also need to ensure you have a valid study permit throughout your studies. Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and allow you to study and stay in Canada. Learn more about study permits at UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver.

Depending on your country of citizenship, you also need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada (US citizens are exempt). If you apply for your initial study permit application outside Canada, you will automatically be issued a TRV or eTA when your study permit is approved.

You can’t apply for a study permit until you’ve received your letter of admission. For new study permit applications from outside Canada, you must also receive a Provincial Attestation Letter before you can apply for your study permit.

When do you apply?

You should apply for a study permit online as soon as you receive your letter of admission to UBC and Provincial Attestation Letter, if required. Applications can take several months to process.

You cannot travel to Canada until you’ve received your Letter of Introduction (study permit approval letter).

 

How do you apply?

To prepare your application, visit UBC’s step-by-step initial study permit tutorial for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver. Here, you’ll learn about the application process, how to fill out the application form, and what documents to provide.

If you are currently a resident of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, or Vietnam, you have the option to apply through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Learn about pre-payment of tuition for SDS for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver.

If you are a US citizen, US permanent resident, or a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you have the option to apply for a study permit at the airport or land border crossing on arrival.

Be sure to check our Canvas application review course for the regular process or Student Direct Stream (SDS) to go over your application before you submit it.

What if you’re already studying in Canada?

You do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter if you apply for a study permit extension inside Canada before your study permit expires.

You are coming to UBC from a Canadian high school

You should apply for your study permit extension as soon as you receive your letter of admission. You can include a letter of explanation to request conditions to work in Canada.

If your study permit expires more than 6 months from now or you have more than 150 days between schools, contact International Student Advising for support.

You can only apply for a study permit extension when you are in Canada. In this case, a Provincial Attestation Letter is not required. If you are in Canada, apply for a study permit extension by reviewing the step-by-step study permit extension tutorial for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver as soon as you receive your letter of admission. Check the Canvas application review course before you submit your application. If you will not be returning to Canada before your study permit becomes invalid or expires and your Temporary Resident Visa expires (if applicable), contact International Student Advising for support.

You are transferring to UBC from a Canadian college or university

If your study permit is still valid, you can use the same study permit to study at UBC. However, you must notify IRCC by changing your DLI number online.

Contact International Student Advising for support with your study permit validity if you completed a program in Canada, as well as with your status in Canada if you will have more than 150 days between institutions.

What do you need to prepare before travelling to Canada?

Before making travel plans, be sure to review our Travelling to Canada Guide for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver to learn about when to travel, what to bring, ensuring your study permit allows you to work, and more.

If you still have questions

The UBC International Student Guide for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver is a great resource and reference handbook for everything you need to know about coming to UBC.

If you still have questions, our International Student Advising team at UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver is here for you.

We also recommend that you enroll in iPREP, a pre-arrival course designed for new students to learn about immigration documents, health insurance, banking, cell phones, and more.