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In 2024 and 2025, the Government of Canada has announced several measures intended to protect the integrity of Canada's international student program. 

These measures include:

• an annual 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
  • as of January 22, 2025 this requirement will be expanded to include master's and doctoral degree students, students changing institutions, and students changing their level of study)
• changes to post-graduation work permit eligibility
• changes to spousal open work permit eligibility criteria
• a requirement for international students to obtain a new study permit when changing schools
• restrictions on where applicants can apply for a study or work permit

As of November 8, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also increased the number of off-campus work hours for eligible international students.

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 be updated as more details become available. Please check back again soon.

Study permit cap and application requirements

Current UVic students

I'm a current UVic student and need to extend my valid study permit. Will I need a provincial attestation letter (PAL)?

If you are extending your study permit from inside Canada and are not changing your institution or level of study, a PAL is not required.

Effective Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), you will require a valid PAL to extend your study permit in Canada if:

• you are changing schools, or
• you are changing your level of study (e.g. moving from an undergraduate program to a graduate program)

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 will require a PAL unless you are exempt. For more information, visit the and contact an International Student Adviser for guidance based on your individual circumstances. _{Updated  January 20, 2025}

UVic students admitted to a future term

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) for the 2025 allocation 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 require a PAL, please do not apply for your study permit until you receive one. If you apply without a PAL, IRCC will return your application unprocessed.

If you are unsure if you need a PAL, contact an International Student Adviser for guidance.

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

• Students admitted to credit programs at UVic: contact admsadmin@uvic.ca
• Students admitted to offered by the Division of Continuing Studies: contact uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca _{Updated February 19, 2025}

I will be coming to UVic as an inbound exchange student through an exchange agreement with my home university. Do I need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) to apply for a study permit?

As of January 22, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. EST, foreign nationals applying for a study permit as exchange students will no longer require a PAL to apply for a study permit.

IRCC “exchange student” as “an international student who attends a designated learning institution under an exchange arrangement between the designated learning institution and the foreign national’s learning institution outside of Canada, where the exchange student does not pay tuition fees to the designated learning institution in Canada.”

Please note that if you applied for a study permit as an exchange student prior to 12:00 a.m. EST on January 22, 2025, a PAL was required for your application. _{Updated February 19, 2025}

I will be coming to UVic as a fee-paying visiting 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 visiting and study abroad students who will come to Canada as  do not need a PAL to apply for a visa or eTA.

If you will come to UVic as a fee-paying visiting 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 January 20, 2025} 

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?

As of January 22, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. EST, master's and doctoral students must submit a provincial attestation letter (PAL) with their study permit applications. 

To request a PAL, please contact UVic Graduate Admissions and Records (GARO) at garo@uvic.ca.  _{Updated January 20, 2025}

I have been admitted to a graduate certificate or graduate diploma program at UVic for an upcoming term, and I haven't applied for my study permit yet. 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. 

To request a PAL, please contact UVic Graduate Admissions and Records (GARO) at garo@uvic.ca.  _{Updated January 20, 2025}

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?

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 January 20, 2025}

All UVic international students

Are there any exemptions to the PAL requirements?

Most study permit applicants require a PAL; however, there are some limited exemptions that may apply depending on your individual circumstances. For details on who does and does not require a PAL, review the information on the IRCC website.  _{Updated January 20, 2025} 

Changing institutions

Do I need to get a new study permit if I am transferring to UVic from another Canadian institution?

As of November 8, 2024, you must be enrolled at the designated learning institution (DLI) named on your study permit. If another Canadian institution is named on your study permit, you must apply apply for a study permit extension and obtain your new study permit before starting your studies at UVic. As part of your application, you must include a letter explaining why you’re changing schools. For more information, see on the IRCC website.

Please note that as of January 22, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. EST, you must include a valid provincial attestation letter (PAL) with your study permit extension application if you are changing schools.

If you are starting your studies at UVic in the spring 2025 term (January-April 2025) and hold a valid study permit that was issued based on your acceptance to another institution, you may study at UVic while you are awaiting processing of your study permit extension application if you:

• have been accepted to UVic for the spring 2025 term, and
• have applied for a study permit extension using your UVic letter of acceptance, and
• have a study permit that remains valid and does not have another institution's name printed on it, and
• meet all your existing study permit conditions

If you meet all of the requirements stated above, you may begin your studies at UVic after you have submitted your study permit extension application from inside Canada. Please make sure to submit your extension application as early as possible.

If you have questions or would like to confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria to start your studies at UVic, please contact an International Student Adviser. _{Updated January 20, 2025}

I am currently in Canada with a valid study permit and submitted a DLI change to IRCC before November 8, 2024. What should I do?

If you submitted a DLI change (either through your IRCC secure account or the IRCC web form) prior to November 8, 2024 to advise IRCC that you would be studying at UVic, you may study at UVic using your current valid study permit. _{Updated January 20, 2025}

I am currently in Canada and applied for a study permit extension before November 8, 2024 using documentation from my current institution, but I will be transferring to UVic starting in January 2025. Do I need to apply for a new study permit?

If your extension application is still in progress, you can inform IRCC that you would like to change your DLI by submitting a new letter of acceptance and a letter explaining why you are changing schools using the . _{Updated November 29 2024}

If my current study permit lists another institution's name and I won’t receive my new study permit in time for my intended start date at UVic, who should I contact if I need to change my entry point?

If you need to change your entry point or defer your admission to UVic:

• Undergraduate students: contact your Admission Officer
• Graduate students: contact your Graduate Secretary

If you have questions about your study permit or your status in Canada, contact an International Student Adviser. _{Updated December 12 2024}

Post-graduation work permits

IRCC's January 22, 2024 announcement said that graduates of master’s degree programs would be eligible for a three-year post-graduation work permit (PGWP). How can I confirm if I qualify?

As of February 15, 2024, students who graduate from master’s degree programs of at least 8 months in duration may be eligible for a 3-year PGWP. For details, see . _{Updated October 10 2024}

I will be applying for a post-graduation work permit soon. Will I need to submit language test results with my application?

All students who submit a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application on or after November 1, 2024 are required to provide proof of language ability with their applications. This new requirement applies to all PGWP applicants regardless of when you started your studies. Students who have completed a program at UVic will need to demonstrate a minimum level of in all 4 language areas when applying for a PGWP. Your language test results must be less than two years old at the time you submit your PGWP application.

For detailed information on the new PGWP language requirements, including a list of accepted tests, review the  on the IRCC website.  _{Updated February 19, 2025}

How will the new post-graduation work permit eligibility requirements based on field of study impact me?

The impacts of the field-of-study requirements will depend on when you applied for your study permit, as well as your program and field of study.

If you applied for your study permit before November 1, 2024: Your PGWP eligibility will not be impacted, regardless of your program or field of study. Please note that you must still meet  (including the new , if you apply for a PGWP on or after November 1) to qualify.

If you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024: Your PGWP eligibility will depend on your program and field of study.

• Students who graduate from a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctoral degree program at UVic may qualify for a PGWP regardless of their field of study, provided they meet including the new .
• Students who graduate from a diploma or certificate program at UVic may qualify for a PGWP only if their program is linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage. A is available on the IRCC website. Students in eligible fields of study must also meet  including the new .

_{Updated January 20, 2025}

Spousal open work permits

Current UVic students

I am a current 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?

If your spouse currently holds a valid open work permit that was approved under the previous measures and has not expired, they can continue working as long as it remains valid.

IRCC  and again on that spouses and common-law partners of international students seeking to extend their existing open work permit may do so, as long as:

• they are applying under the same criteria as the current work permit, and
• the requested duration of the renewal matches that of the existing study permit of the principal applicant

For detailed information on eligibility criteria to extend a spousal open work permit, see . _{Updated January 20, 2025}

I am a current 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?

As of January 21, 2025, open work permits are only available to spouses of international students in:

• master's programs that are 16 months or longer,
• doctoral degree programs, or
• select

If you meet the criteria listed above, your spouse or common-law partner may still be eligible for an open work permit.

If you do not meet the criteria above but your spouse or common-law partner submitted an open work permit application to IRCC before March 19, 2024 (for undergraduate students) or before January 21, 2025 (for master’s students in programs of less than 16 months), 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 .  _{Updated January 20, 2025}

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 already been approved for an open work permit, 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 that were in place on the date the open work permit application was submitted. For more information, see  . _{Updated October 10, 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.

If your spouse or common-law partner submitted an open work permit application after March 19, you must be in an eligible degree program for their work permit application to be approved.

For full eligibility criteria based on application submission date, see .  _{Updated October 10, 2024}

I have been admitted to a master’s program of less than 16 months and my spouse or common-law partner 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 January 21, 2025 will be . If your spouse or common-law partner submitted an open work permit application before January 21, 2025 and meets all other criteria, they may still be eligible for an open work permit. Please note that approval is not guaranteed and final decisions are made at the discretion of the processing officer.

If your spouse or common-law partner submits an open work permit application on or after January 21, you must be in an eligible program of study for their work permit application to be approved. Spouses and partners of international students in master's programs of less than 16 months are no longer eligible for open work permits as of January 21, 2025.

For full eligibility criteria based on application submission date, see .  _{Updated February 19, 2025}

Recent UVic graduates

I have recently completed my program at UVic and am planning to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Can my spouse apply for an open work permit, or extend their current open work permit, on the basis of my PGWP?

As of January 21, 2025, only spouses or common-law partners of certain foreign workers can apply for an open work permit. Open work permits will be limited to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in

•  0 or 1 occupations, or
• select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities
  • These include occupations in the natural and applied sciences, construction, health care, natural resources, education, sports and military sectors. The full list will be available from IRCC on January 21, 2025.

In addition, you must have at least 16 months remaining on your work permit at the time your spouse or common-law partner applies for their open work permit. Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible for an open work permit as of January 21, 2025.

For full eligibility criteria, see . _{Updated February 19, 2025}

All UVic international students and recent graduates

What if my spouse no longer qualifies to apply for an open work permit?

Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for another type of work permit under . Please note that International Student Advisers cannot advise on other types of work permits as they fall outside our scope of practice.

Alternatively, your spouse or common-law partner may choose to apply to come to Canada as a visitor, or extend their stay as a visitor if they are already here. In this case, they would not be eligible to study or work in Canada during their stay. For guidance on this option, please connect with an International Student Adviser. _{Updated January 20, 2025}

Applying at a port of entry & flagpoling

What is flagpoling?

Flagpoling happens at the border when temporary residents bypass normal wait times by leaving Canada and then re-entering to receive same-day immigration services such as a study permit or work permit.  _{Updated January 20, 2025}

I am a current student and will soon be finishing my program. Can I flagpole and apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border?

, it is no longer possible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at any Canadian port of entry. All international students must now apply online for a PGWP.  _{Updated January 20, 2025}

I am a current student inside Canada. Can I flagpole and apply for a new study permit and/or co-op work permit at the border?

On December 23, 2024, IRCC an end to flagpoling for both work and study permits at all Canadian ports of entry. International students are now required to submit their study or work permit applications online, unless they meet (for example, your application may still be accepted for processing at a port of entry if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident).

If you meet one of the limited exemptions, please consult with an International Student Adviser before attempting to access immigration services at a port of entry.  _{Updated January 20, 2025}

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 .