IRCC updates: Frequently Asked Questions

The British Columbia (BC) provincial government announced a two-year moratorium that applies only to new institutions who are wanting to apply to become Designated Learning Institutions and host international students.  

This does not affect the University of Victoria as we are currently a Designated Learning Institution, so you are welcome to apply for our programs.

Read more about the BC provincial government announcement

I'm a current DCS 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 DCS 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.

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

If you are outside Canada and need to apply for a new study permit before you return, you may require an attestation letter. For more information, visit IRCC website and contact an International Student Advisor for guidance based on your individual circumstances. _{Updated February 21, 2024}

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 additional information provided on the IRCC website, it is our understanding that applications submitted before 8:30 am (ET) on January 22, 2024, as well as those students who have already received approval for a study permit and have not yet travelled to Canada for their upcoming program, do not require an attestation letter. _{Updated February 21, 2024}

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) 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 are already in Canada and/or are holding a valid study permit, you may not need a PAL. Please contact uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca for advice.

If you are a post-secondary certificate or diploma program 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 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 March 21, 2024} 

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 attestation letter will be required for the study permit application. 

If you are an ELC student outside Canada and you will apply for a study permit, 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 March 21, 2024}

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. If your program of study inside Canada is less than 6 months and you do not plan to extend your studies beyond 6 months, you do not need to apply for a study permit.

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 January 25, 2024}

IRCC's updated announcement says that starting May 15, 2024, international students attending a private college that has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

Will this policy update affect students in the DCS programs?

Based on current PGWP criteria, it is our understanding that the post-secondary certificate and diploma programs at the DCS currently meet the eligibility criteria for the PGWP. For current PGWP criteria, please see Work in Canada after you graduate. 

The DCS is part of the University of Victoria and falls under the same Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number. As noted on the Letter of Acceptance that is issued to all admitted students in DCS programs, UVic is a public institution. _{Updated April 2, 2024}

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?

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 criteria to extend a spousal open work permit, see Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated March 22, 2024}

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?

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 22, 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 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 22, 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. For full eligibility criteria based on application submission date, see Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. _{Updated March 22, 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?

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 22, 2024}