IRCC updates: Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you are extending your study permit from inside Canada and your current study permit was issued based on your Division of Continuing Studies at UVic program Letter of Acceptance and you 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 already changed your school and did not submit the DLI change to IRCC before November 8, 2025 or
• you are changing your level of study (e.g. moving from an English Language Centre 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 IRCC website and contact uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca for guidance based on your individual circumstances. _{Updated  May 15, 2025}

Please contact your program area for the correct documentation, such as a study permit information letter, for your study permit extension application.

I have been admitted to the DCS at UVic as a post-secondary certificate or diploma program student for an upcoming term, 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 students admitted to post-secondary certificate and diploma program students with the Division of Continuing Studies who have received a letter of offer and have paid their acceptance deposit. If you have not yet paid your 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, please email uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca for guidance.

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

• Students admitted to non-credit programs offered by the Division of Continuing Studies contact:
• English Language Centre: elcreg@uvic.ca
• Business and Management Programs: BMT@uvic.ca 
• All other post-secondary certificate and diploma programs: uvcsreg@uvic.ca
• Students admitted to credit programs at UVic: contact admsadmin@uvic.ca

_{Updated May 15, 2025} 

I have been admitted to English as an Additional Language (EAL) program(s) at the English Language Centre (ELC) at UVic for studies more than 6 months in duration 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?

Yes. As per the IRCC website, most international students studying in Canada for more than 6 months in duration will require a study permit. The provincial attestation letter (PAL) will be required for the study permit application. 

If you are an ELC student and you will apply for a study permit from outside Canada, please do not apply for your study permit until you receive an attestation letter from the province. If you apply without this letter, IRCC will return your application unprocessed.

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

• Students admitted to non-credit programs offered by the Division of Continuing Studies contact:
  • English Language Centre: elcreg@uvic.ca
  • Business and Management Programs: BMT@uvic.ca 
  • All other post-secondary certificate and diploma programs: uvcsreg@uvic.ca
• Students admitted to credit programs at UVic: contact admsadmin@uvic.ca

 _{Updated May 15, 2025} 

I have been admitted to English as an Additional Language (EAL) program(s) at the English Language Centre (ELC) at UVic for studies less than 6 months in duration for an upcoming term. Do I need to apply for a study permit, and do I need an attestation letter from the province to apply for a study permit?

No. You can study in Canada for less than 6 months without a study permit if you have valid visitor status.

Visit the IRCC website to determine if you need a study permit.

Please note: If you register for a program of study for less than 6 months in duration and you are considering registering for additional programs of study inside Canada, we strongly recommend that you consider applying for a study permit before you travel to Canada. As noted on the IRCC website, having a study permit when you are inside Canada will allow you to extend your status as a student more easily if you decide to register for additional study programs. If you choose to apply for a study permit before you travel to Canada then, yes, you must receive an attestation letter for your study permit application. _{Updated October 16, 2024}

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 Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter information on the IRCC website.  _{Updated May 15, 2025} 

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 and be approved for a new study permit before starting your studies with the DCS at UVic. As part of your application, you must include a letter explaining why you’re changing schools. For more information, see Changing your school as a post-secondary student 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 January 2025 and hold a valid study permit that was issued based on your acceptance to another institution, you may begin studying 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 from January 1, 2025 - May 1, 2025. Please make sure to submit your extension application as soon as possible.

If you have questions or would like to confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria to start your studies in January, please contact uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca. 

 _{Updated May 15, 2025}

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 May 15, 2025}

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, a provincial attestation letter and a letter explaining why you are changing schools using the IRCC web form. _{Updated May 15, 2025}

If you need to defer your program start date with the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) at UVic:

• Certificate and Diploma in Business Administration Programs: contact bmt@uvic.ca. 
• Digital Marketing Diploma Program: contact bmt@uvic.ca.
• Data Analytics for Management Science Diploma Program: contact bmt@uvic.ca. 
• All other DCS programs: contact uvcsreg@uvic.ca. 

If you have questions about your study permit or your status in Canada, contact uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca. _{Updated May 15, 2025}

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

All students who submit a 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, including non-credit Division of Continuing Studies certificate and diploma programs, will need to demonstrate a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 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 PGWP eligibility criteria on the IRCC website.

_{Updated May 15, 2025}

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

The impacts of the field-of-study requirement 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 all other PGWP eligibility criteria (including the new language requirements, if you apply for a PGWP on or after November 1) to qualify.

If you apply 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 diploma or certificate program at the Division of Continuing Studies at UVic may qualify for a PGWP only if their program is linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage. A list of eligible fields of study for diploma and certificate programs is available on the IRCC website. Students in eligible fields of study must also meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria including the new language requirements.

_{Updated May 15, 2025}

I am a current DCS 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 confirmed on February 5, 2024 and again on January 14, 2025 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 Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated May 15, 2025}

I am a current DCS 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 professional and eligible programs

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 DCS certificate or diploma program students), 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 May 15, 2025}

I have been admitted as a DCS post-secondary certificate or diploma program student for an upcoming term 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  Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated October 16, 2024}

I have been admitted as a DCS post-secondary certificate or diploma program student for an upcoming term 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 Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated October 16, 2024}

I have been admitted as a DCS post-secondary certificate or diploma program student for an upcoming term.  Can my spouse still apply for a spousal 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 professional and eligible programs

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 DCS certificate or diploma program students), 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 May 15, 2025}

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

• TEER 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 Open work permits for family members of foreign workers: Who can apply. _{Updated May 15, 2025}

Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for another type of work permit under Canada’s work permit programs. 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 Advisor at uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca. _{Updated May 15, 2025}

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 May 15, 2025}

As of June 21, 2024, 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 May 15, 2025}

On December 23, 2024, IRCC announced 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 limited exemptions (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 Advisor at uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca before attempting to access immigration services at a port of entry.  _{Updated May 15, 2025}