Document Requirements for International Students

Immigration Documents, Study Permit (Visa)

Persons who are not Canadian citizens or Landed Immigrants require a Study Permit (Student Authorization, Visa) in order to enter Canada to study. This Study Permit is obtained from a Canadian Consular or Immigration Office. For additional information regarding citizenship and residency, please click here.

Once you have received the official UBC admission letter from the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, apply to the nearest Canadian Immigration Processing Centre or Embassy/High Commission/Consulate as soon as possible. It may take eight to twelve weeks to process a Study Permit request; for students from the People's Republic of China it may take three to six months.

To apply for your Student Permit you will require:

• a UBC admission letter.
  
• a valid passport.
• evidence of adequate funds to support yourself and any dependents that may accompany you to Canada.
• a completed Application for a Student Authorization form. (You may obtain this form from a Canadian Visa office.)
  
• any other documentation as outlined in the Application for a Student Authorization form.
  

For application forms, procedures, fees, and any additional information on Student Authorization, please refer to the Canada Immigration home page or contact your nearest Canadian Immigration Processing Centre or Embassy-High Commission-Consulate.

If your application for a Study Permit is approved, your UBC admission letter will be returned to you. You should retain it for presentation to the Immigration Officer at the Canadian point of entry.

On-Campus Employment and a Social Insurance Number

In order to work while completing your graduate degree, or to receive award and scholarship disbursements, you must have a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN). International students are permitted by Canada Immigration to accept part-time employment on campus. After you arrive, you must apply as soon as possible to the nearest Canadian Employment Centre for a Canadian Social Insurance Number.

Spouses of students holding a valid Study Permit may apply for Employment Authorizations in order to accept employment in Canada for the duration of the Study Permit provided they can show legal proof of marriage to the holder of the Study Permit.

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Last reviewed 10/15/2009 3:47:31 PM