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Immigration Advising Resources

KPU International Advising team strives to support our international students and keep the information current; however, the most authoritative source of immigration-related information can be found online at the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Our team provides holistic support for immigration inquiries (Permanent Residency excluded). Should you have any questions, please always book an appointment or attend our drop-in sessions to speak to an International Student Advisor.

Please note that only International Student Advisors from the KPU International Advising Unit are able to support current international students with immigration-related inquiries.

IRCC Important Updates:

Please refer to the information below, as this is an important overview of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s policy announcements in the past few months, and current remains valid. 

Please ensure to include your KPU Study Permit Extension Support Letter when you submit your application. 

Starting from Nov 1, 2024, all PGWP applications require proof of your English or French language skills. KPU graduated students require a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English, or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) 7 in French. Please visit here for the equivalent table. 

As of Nov 1, 2024, students who apply for a study permit for certificate or diploma programs (including graduate certificates and diplomas) at universities must meet a field of study requirement to be eligible for the PGWP. You may find the KPU PGWP eligible programs here on our website. 

For study permit extension applications used to complete the same program of study as the study permit application made before November 1, 2024, there is no field-of-study requirement for the PGWP. Please visit here for details. 

As of Nov 8, 2024, international students must be enrolled at the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) named on their study permit. If you change institutions, you must apply for a study permit extension for your new institution and most students need to receive the new study permit before beginning studies at your new institution.

On Dec 11, 2024, IRCC announced a temporary policy allowing students to begin studies in January 2025 only while your study permit extension is being processed if:

  • You have been accepted to a DLI for Spring 2025 (Jan-Apr, 2025) and
  • You have applied for a study permit extension and
  • Your study permit remains valid and you don’t have a DLI name printed on it and
  • You meet all your existing study permit conditions

As of Jan 22, 2025, students changing institutions (from secondary to KPU, or from other post-secondary institutions to KPU) or levels of study at the same institution require a Provincial Attestation Letter for their study permit application. 

On Jan 14, 2025, IRCC confirmed the policy changes for spousal work permits which are effective Jan 21, 2025.

For your spouse or common-law partner to be eligible for a spousal work permit during your studies, you must be enrolled in a doctoral program, master’s degree program which is 16 months or longer, or select programs.

For your spouse or common-law partner to be eligible for a spousal work permit while you are applying for/have a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must be employed in TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or selected TEER 2 or 3 occupations (the list is not available yet), and have at least 16 months remaining on your work permit at the time of application. Dependent children are no longer eligible for a work permit.

If your common-law partner or spouse has a spousal work permit under the previous rules, it will remain valid until the expiry date. If they are in Canada it could be extended to match your study or work permit if they are applying under the same criteria as their current work permit. Please speak to an International Student Advisor for more questions. 

As of Nov 8, 2024, international students who register full-time are eligible to work a maximum of 24 hours per week off-campus.

GCKey

A GCKey is a unique electronic credential (username and password) that allows you to communicate securely with online government services. The Government of Canada, as the service provider, issues these credentials to individuals so they can access government online services. You are able to use your GCkey to access all available government online services with the exception of services offered by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please click here to access the GCKey portal. 

Temporary Resident VISA

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also referred to as a “visitor visa” or “entry visa”, is a stamped travel document that is placed in your passport and is used for entering or re-entering Canada.

Please note: you DO NOT need a PAL for a TRV application; you may write a self-explanation letter indicating you are exempt from a PAL for the TRV application. 

TRV is usually issued for the same length of time as your study or work permit. A TRV grants you permission to travel to Canada while a study permit allows you to study inside Canada. Please visit here to determine whether or not you need a TRV.

Appendix:

Most international students need to have a study permit to study at KPU. The study permit is a document which IRCC issues that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. Make sure you have all the documents you need before you apply. You should apply before you travel to Canada. Please visit the IRCC Webpage for more details.

Appendix:

Medical exams and police certificates

Depending on where you’re applying from, you may need to get a medical exam and/or police certificate. To get faster processing through SDS, you must include these with your application (if applicable). If you don’t, your application won’t be processed any faster.

Increase to financial  support proof

As of January 1, 2024, new study permit applications will be subject to an increased amount of cost-of-living from $10,000 to $20,635 for a single applicant. The amount for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have: Study permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca.

Study Permit New Financial Requirements

Please note: starting on January 22, 2024, study permit applications outside Canada require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). However, for current students, your study permit extension application from inside Canada will not be impacted and the application does NOT require a PAL. If you see a new section “Proof of Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL or TAL) Exception” in your document checklist, you can write a Letter of Explanation – as you are extending your study permit in the same level of education and in the same DLI (Designated Learning Institute), you are not required for PAL. You can attach your current Study Permit Extension Letter as well as your original Letter of Acceptance in the same PDF to support it. 

If your study permit will expire before you are able to complete your studies and graduate, you must apply for an extension of your study permit. You should apply to extend your study permit at least 30 days before your current permit expires. However, you are recommended to apply earlier when possible. The earliest you may apply for your study permit extension is 180 days within the expiry of your current study permit. 

Please note if you choose to submit your application online, the date and time of receipt are important for determining if status is maintained under subsection R183(5). For electronic applications, IRCC uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) around the world to ensure that time is equal for all. Therefore, receipt dates and times do not depend on time zones; all applications must be submitted before midnight UTC on the date the applicant’s status expires. If the application was received after midnight UTC on the date of expiry, the applicant does not maintain their status under subsection R183(5), which means you must submit an application of Study Permit restoration instead.

Appendix:

Increase to financial  support proof

As of January 1, 2024, new study permit applications will be subject to an increased amount of cost-of-living from $10,000 to $20,635 for a single applicant. The amount for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have: Study permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca.

Study Permit New Financial Requirements

International students who have been admitted into the Co-op program must apply for a Co-op Work Permit. This permit enables you to engage in full-time work during academic terms provided that the work is a required component of your program. 

Students who are directly accepted into a program with a Co-op may apply for their Co-op Work Permit at the same time as they apply for their initial Study Permit. For more information about the Co-op Work Permit and its eligibility requirements, please check here for details. 

Appendix:

 

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLIs) to obtain an open Work Permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. For more information regarding the PGWP application process and eligibility requirements, please click here for details. 

**Please note the instructional video below is only for individuals who submit their application in Canada. Thank you. 

Appendix:

**Note:

If you are a current student, who submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024 and are applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, you must also meet the new requirement that applies to your situation.

  • If you graduated with a Diploma, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor’s degree, from Kwantlen Polytechnic University:
    • Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas. Please visit IRCC webpage for details. 

Please note: starting November 8, 2024, international students must be enrolled in the designated learning institution (DLI) named on their study permit. This means international students can no longer change DLIs by letting IRCC know through your online account. To change DLIs, international students need to apply for a new study permit.

Please visit IRCC website for more details. 

You can submit an amendment application if:

  • there is a mistake on your study permit such as an incorrect spelling of your name; or
  • you were admitted to KPU as a regular Undergraduate student however, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) failed to include employment authorization on your study permit

you may request an amendment to your study permit.

**Please note:

  • if you are a Pathway student who has completed your mandatory English preparatory courses, but your study permit does not authorize work, you must apply for a new/renewed study permit.
  • if your conditions on your Study Permit have been changed, i.e, working eligibility, you must apply to change the conditions of your Study Permit and pay the application fees. 

To amend your study permit:

  • Download your regular Confirmation of Enrolment letter from Online Self Service (OSS)
  • Visit the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) webpage to amend/change the conditions on your study permit.
  • Complete the application form IMM 1436 (Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents). Make sure that you include all the supporting documents:
    • Confirmation of Enrolment Letter from KPU
    • Photocopy of your Letter of Acceptance from KPU, which you originally used to apply for your study permit
    • Photocopy of the personal information page (i.e., page stating your name, date of birth, passport number, photo, passport issue and expiry date, etc.) of your valid passport. This passport should be the one you used to enter Canada.
    • Photocopy of valid government-issued identification from outside Canada before your entry to Canada such as a national identity card, birth certificate, or marriage certificate (if applicable).
    • Original valid study permit (Please note: Please scan your study permit for your own records)
    • You may be required to provide additional supporting documents, and all documents must be in English or French.
  • There is no additional fee for this service.
  • Mail the completed application form and all required supporting documents to the IRCC address stated in the Instruction Guide 5218. We recommend using Express Post, Priority Post or registered mail so that you can track your application package.

 

Addresses:

Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence:
Operations Support Centre (OSC)
P.O. Box 8784 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 5J3

If sent by private courier or registered mail:


Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence
Operations Support Centre (OSC) 
365 Laurier Avenue West,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1

 

  • If your application is approved, you will receive your amended study permit. If your application is refused, a letter will be provided from the IRCC with the rationale for the decision.

 

What should I do if my study permit has already expired?

If you are studying in Canada with a valid study permit but you did not apply to extend your study permit before the expiry date, you may apply to restore your status in Canada if you wish to continue your studies at KPU. The restoration application fee is $389.75 ($239.75 restoration fee + $150 new Study Permit fee).

Please note that the restoration application must be submitted within 90 days after your study permit expires or becomes invalid. You need a PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) to support your application. 

You can remain in Canada while waiting for the processing of your restoration application, but you are not allowed to study at KPU until the application is approved. Additionally, you cannot work on or off-campus until your status has been restored, which your study permit restoration has been approved, as well as meeting the international student working eligibility.

Please visit the IRCC website for more details on Study Permit Restoration:

 

IRCC's processing times show how long it took to process most applications in the past for each application type. As IRCC processes more applications and clears inventories, the numbers will change. The numbers shown may not reflect how long it will take to process an application you submit today. Find out how IRCC calculates processing times.

  • Please check here for the most up-to-date IRCC processing time.
  • You can also click here to track your application status. 

Example

The IRCC Webform is a tool for applicants and representatives to communicate with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding their applications. You may submit an IRCC Webform if:

  • your application has exceeded normal processing times
  • you wish to report important changes to your application, such as a change in contact information, marriage, birth, or
  • you need to submit new supporting documents for an application that is in process. In order to submit an IRCC Webform, you will need your Client ID number (UCI) and Application Number.

To access the Webform, please visit IRCC Webform (cic.gc.ca).

 

The immigration resources webpage is developed and endorsed by RISIA/RCIC advisors from the KPU International Advising Unit in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. Kindly note that the information above may be subject to change without notice. Please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the most up-to-date information.

- Last Update: February 5, 2025