International Student Advising
For COVID-19 related information, visit the COVID-19 Information webpage and the UVic Return to Campus website. Please note, as information can change without notice, for the most current immigration information, always visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website and the Government of Canada website.
The International Student Advising team provides non-academic support, such as settlement resources and referrals, and immigration advice related to being a student (e.g. study permit, work authorization) throughout your program of studies at UVic.
The International Centre for Students (ICS) is located in room B202d of the Jamie Cassels Centre.
Regular office hours are Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 4:30pm (PT).
- Notes:
- Gustavson School of Business students should contact International Student Advisers in the GSB International team at gsbimmigration@uvic.ca.
- Continuing studies students should contact uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca.
Have questions?
There are many ways to access our services and get help when you need it.
Immigration drop-in hours
Our International Student Advisers (ISAs) are regulated immigration practitioners who can provide advice about Canadian immigration documents and how UVic policies relate to your international student status.
ISAs are available to answer quick immigration questions during drop-in hours every weekday (Monday-Friday) between 2-4pm, except for statutory holidays or scheduled office closures.
Students meet with an ISA on a first-come, first-served basis via Microsoft Teams, phone, or in person. To meet with an ISA for a short appointment (10 minutes):
- To meet with an ISA via phone or Microsoft Teams: phone us at +1 250 721 6361 starting at 1:30pm (PT) for a same-day appointment between 2-4pm
- To meet with an ISA in person: visit the International Centre for Students (room B202d, Jamie Cassels Centre) starting at 1:30pm (PT) for a same-day appointment between 2-4pm
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Note for in person meetings: At this time, masks are no longer required in indoor public spaces. Wearing a mask is now a matter of personal choice. On campus, UVic strongly encourages the use of masks, particularly in indoor spaces where people are in close proximity such as in-person advising appointments. For detailed health & safety measures on campus, refer to the UVic Health & safety website.
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Prepare for your drop-in meeting with an ISA with the following:
- Student number (V#) or UVic ONECard
- Original or copy of your Canadian temporary resident documents (e.g. study permit, work permit, temporary resident visa) and passport
- Any other relevant documents you have that may be needed for the consultation
- Your list of questions
Please note: Our ISAs cannot complete your immigration applications for you or advise on Permanent Residence (PR) programs. Students seeking immigration representation or PR consultations should consider hiring an authorized immigration representative.
In person
If you are on campus and plan to visit our office in person, our office is open during weekdays between 9:00am and 4:30pm (PT).
At this time, masks are no longer required in indoor public spaces. Wearing a mask is now a matter of personal choice. On campus, UVic strongly encourages the use of masks, particularly in indoor spaces where people are in close proximity such as in-person advising appointments. For detailed health & safety measures on campus, refer to the UVic Health & safety website.
Alternatively, you can also contact our office via phone (+1 250 721 6361) or email (icsinfo@uvic.ca) for supports if you cannot visit us in person.
By email
Emailing icsinfo@uvic.ca is another great way to connect with the ISA team. However, if you need more immediate assistance, it might be faster to reach us by phone at +1 250 721 6361.
When emailing us, be sure to use the email address on your UVic student record and include the following:
- Your questions
- Your student number and full name
- Your country of citizenship, study permit expiry, passport expiry
- Where you are currently residing (in Canada or elsewhere)
By phone
Call us at +1-250-721-6361. Calls are responded to on weekdays between 9:00am and 4:30pm (Pacific Time) except for holidays or school closures. If you are not in the Pacific time zone, you can use this Time Zone Converter to plan a time to call us.
Please note, our office procedures follow UVic’s privacy and access to information policies.
Advice for parents, guardians, and supporters of international students
We know that support is important for a student’s successful transition to university. Here are two tips for you, if you play a supporting role in your student’s life:
- British Columbia's privacy legislation strictly limits the information that we are able to disclose to anyone other than the student in question.
- If a UVic student is unable to communicate with ICS regarding their own record, they may designate a proxy to act on their behalf. Contact icsinfo@uvic.ca for further information.
Last updated: March 2023Back to top