If you are an international student, you need a valid study permit to attend UBC. This process can take time and we encourage you to apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your offer of admission.
Obtaining your study permit and waiting for it to be approved can be frustrating. To help you, here are some tips from students who have been through the study permit application process.
Tips for a smooth study permit application process
Use official websites only. And celebrate every step of the way.
“Think of your application like assembling a perfect sandwich – every essential layer in place, no crumbs left behind. Passport? Layer one. Acceptance letter? Layer two. Financial proof? Layer three. Stack it all up, then double-check your masterpiece.
Start early, like way early! The earlier you apply, the smoother it’ll be. Plus, if something weird pops up, you’ll have time to fix it.
Use the official websites only! Sure, those third-party services promise magic and speed, but trust me, the official Government of Canada site is where you want to be. Avoid scams, avoid extra fees.
Hit ‘submit’? Do a happy dance. Got the acknowledgment? Take a moment to smile. Those tiny celebrations keep your sanity intact.”
– Bhavya J., fifth year Psychology and International Relations student
Use UBC’s International Student Guide.
“Read everything carefully and double check the documents you’re submitting. Applying for a study permit can seem like a long process and sometimes it is, but be patient and make sure that you are submitting the documents they’re asking for. UBC has an International Student Guide which was very helpful to me and always a good resource to look into. For me, it was helpful to make a list of things I had to do when moving to Canada, so: applying for a study permit, applying for the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP for health insurance), applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), etc. Staying organized is so helpful to keep track of all your to-dos!”
– Miwa K., fifth year Media Studies student
Make sure your documents don’t expire soon.
“If I could give my past-self advice about study permits, I would say to ensure your documents do not expire soon. Study permits usually allow students to study until they graduate, but if the documents that you use to apply for your study permit expire before you graduate, your study permit will only extend to that expiry date. My passport expired before I expected to graduate from UBC, which meant my study permit expired at the same time. I had to reapply for another study permit after I renewed my passport, and that process took a lot of time and required another fee. All of that would have been avoided if my passport was renewed before applying for my original permit.”
– Kodi B., fourth year Bioeconomy Sciences and Technologies student
Stay organized.
“Applying for a study permit can feel overwhelming, but staying organized truly makes all the difference. Make sure to apply early, if possible, ideally as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance from UBC and make your decisions. Also double-check document requirements as it might be different depending on the country, and be mindful of processing times in your country. Using the IRCC’s official website is key and there are useful guides to check out on the website as well, and don’t hesitate to reach out to UBC’s International Student Advising for guidance. Keep digital and printed copies of all documents, you’ll thank yourself later!”
– Nusaibah H., fourth year Economics and Statistics student