IRCC updates: Frequently Asked Questions

On January 22, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced several measures intended to protect the integrity of Canada's international student program.

These measures include:

a cap on new study permit applications submitted outside Canada
a requirement for most study permit applicants to include a letter of attestation from their destination province with their study permit application
changes to post-graduation work permit eligibility and spousal open work permit eligibility

International students are a vital and valued part of UVic’s social fabric, learning environment, and co-curricular life. We want to reassure international students that we remain committed to welcoming you to our campus and supporting you through every stage of your studies.

UVic is actively engaging with the provincial and federal governments as well as with national organizations, to seek clarity on these updated policies and to understand the impacts and next steps for our international students. Thank you for your patience as we navigate these changes.

This page will continually be updated as information becomes available. Please check back again soon.

For more information

Study permit cap and application requirements

Current UVic students

I'm a current UVic student in Canada with a valid study permit. How will IRCC's new cap on study permit applications affect me?

The IRCC announcement indicates that current study permit holders will not be impacted by the cap. The cap applies to new study permit applications submitted from outside Canada only. _{Updated January 25, 2024}

I'm a current UVic student and need to extend my study permit. Will I need an attestation letter from the province?

No, an attestation letter is not required for a study permit extension application from inside Canada. For more information about the study permit extension process, see Extend your study permit.

If you are outside Canada and need to apply for a new study permit before you return, you may require an attestation letter unless you are exempt. For more information, visit the IRCC website and contact an International Student Adviser for guidance based on your individual circumstances. _{Updated February 14, 2024}

UVic students admitted to a future term

I submitted my study permit application before January 22, 2024, but I haven't received a decision yet. Do I need an attestation letter?

Based on the information on the IRCC website, it is our understanding that applications submitted before 8:30am (ET) on January 22, 2024 do not require an attestation letter. _{Updated February 14, 2024}

I have been admitted to UVic as an undergraduate student for an upcoming term and I've paid my acceptance deposit, but I haven't applied for my study permit yet. How can I get an attestation letter from the province for my study permit application?

UVic is now able to distribute provincial attestation letters (PALs) to incoming international undergraduate students who have received a letter of offer and have paid their acceptance deposit. If you have not yet paid your UVic acceptance deposit, please do so as soon as possible to ensure you can receive a PAL.

If you are already in Canada and/or are holding a valid study permit, you may not need a PAL. Please contact an International Student Adviser for advice.

If you are an undergraduate student outside Canada, please do not apply for your study permit until you receive a PAL. If you apply without a PAL, IRCC will return your application unprocessed.

To request a PAL, or for questions about the PAL process:

Students admitted to credit programs at UVic: contact admsadmin@uvic.ca
Students admitted to non-credit programs offered by the Division of Continuing Studies: contact uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca _{Updated March 13, 2024}

I will be coming to UVic as an exchange or study abroad student for one term and I don't need a study permit because my program in Canada is less than six months in length. Do I still need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) if I am only applying for a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA)?

No. A PAL is only required if you are applying for a study permit. Short-term exchange and study abroad students who will come to Canada as study permit-exempt visitors do not need a PAL to apply for a visa or eTA.

If you will come to UVic as an exchange or study abroad student for more than six months, you will require a study permit, and you will need to include a PAL with your study permit application. _{Updated March 8, 2024}

I have been admitted to a master's or PhD program at UVic for an upcoming term, and I haven't yet applied for my study permit. Do I need an attestation letter from the province to apply for a study permit?

No. As per the IRCC website, students in a master's degree or PhD program do not need an attestation letter from the province. You may apply for a study permit without this letter. _{Updated February 14, 2024}

I have been admitted to a graduate certificate or graduate diploma program at UVic for an upcoming term, and I haven't yet applied for my study permit. Do I need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) to apply for a study permit?

Yes. Students admitted to graduate certificate and graduate diploma programs are not exempt from the PAL requirement, so you will need a PAL to apply for a study permit from outside Canada. _{Updated March 8, 2024}

I have been admitted to UVic as a Graduate Visiting Research Student (GVRS). Do I need an attestation letter from the province to apply for a study permit?

IRCC has clarified that the exemption from the provincial attestation letter (PAL) requirement only applies to graduate students who will be completing a master's or doctoral degree at a designated learning institution in Canada. As non-degree students, Graduate Visiting Research Students (GVRS) will require a PAL if applying for a study permit; however, not all GVRS require a study permit. Depending on the details of your visit, another document such as a work permit may be more appropriate.

For guidance on the immigration documents you will require to come to Canada as a GVRS, please contact an International Student Adviser as soon as possible after you've received confirmation of your admission to UVic. _{Updated March 8, 2024}

Post-graduation work permits

IRCC's announcement says that graduates of master’s degree programs will soon be eligible for a three-year post-graduation work permit (PGWP). How can I confirm if I will qualify, and what will the process be?

As of February 15, 2024, students who graduate from master’s degree programs of less than 2 years (8 months minimum) may be eligible for a 3-year PGWP. For details, see Work in Canada after you graduate. _{Updated February 21, 2024}

Spousal open work permits

Current UVic students

I am a current undergraduate student at UVic and my spouse or common-law partner is in Canada with an open work permit based on my student status. Will my spouse/partner be able to extend their open work permit?

IRCC has confirmed that spouses and common-law partners of international students seeking to extend their existing open work permit may do so, if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. For detailed information on eligibility criteria to extend a spousal open work permit, see Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated March 19, 2024}

I am a current undergraduate student at UVic and my spouse or common-law partner hasn’t come to Canada yet. Can they still apply for an open work permit?

Effective March 19, 2024, open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in:

master's or doctoral degree programs, or
one of the following professional degree programs:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
- Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
- Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.)
- Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng., BE, BASc)

If your program at UVic is listed above, your spouse or common-law partner may still be eligible for an open work permit.

If your UVic program is not listed above but your spouse or common-law partner submitted an open work permit application to IRCC before March 19, 2024, they may be eligible for an open work permit based on the previous criteria.

For detailed information on spousal open work permit eligibility criteria based on application submission date, see Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated March 19, 2024}

I am a current student in a master's or PhD program at UVic and my spouse or common-law partner is in Canada with an open work permit based on my student status. Will my spouse/partner be able to extend their open work permit?

Spouses and common-law partners of students in UVic master's and PhD programs are not impacted by the changes to open work permit eligibility. For current spousal open work permit criteria, see Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated March 19, 2024}

UVic students admitted to a future term

I have been admitted to UVic as an undergraduate student and my spouse or common-law partner has been approved for an open work permit with my study permit approval, but we haven't travelled to Canada yet. Will they still be able to come to Canada with me?

If your spouse or common-law partner has been approved for an open work permit based on an application they submitted before March 19, 2024, they should still be eligible to receive an open work permit upon entry to Canada, provided you and your spouse or common-law partner continue to meet the eligibility criteria for applications submitted before March 19. For more information, see Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated March 19, 2024}

I have been admitted to UVic as an undergraduate student and my spouse or common-law partner has applied for an open work permit together with my study permit application, but it hasn't been approved yet. Will their application be refused due to the change in spousal open work permit eligibility criteria?

IRCC has confirmed that spousal open work permit applications submitted before March 19, 2024 will be assessed against the previous eligibility criteria. If your spouse or common-law partner submitted an open work permit application before March 19 and meets all other criteria, they may still be eligible for an open work permit. For full eligibility criteria based on application submission date, see Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated March 19, 2024}

I have been admitted to a master's or PhD program at UVic for an upcoming term, and my spouse or common-law partner would like to accompany me to Canada. Can they still apply for an open work permit together with my study permit application?

Legal notice

The information on this page is current as of the date published and may change without notice.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.