Statement from the Provosts regarding international student study permits

October 11, 2024

As many of you know, the Government of Canada has announced some changes for international undergraduate and graduate students wanting to study in Canada, including a cap on the number of students and changes to the visa process. These recent changes do not apply to those who already hold study permits, nor will they affect study permit renewals. Moreover, at UBC we are confident that the new cap gives us enough room to welcome all qualified students who wish to join our great institution.

Additionally, some changes regarding the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) program were announced. Fortunately, university-level programs, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees, continue to remain eligible for the PGWP. While these changes won’t necessarily have a significant impact on those of you pursuing degree programs at UBC (Bachelors, Masters, or PhDs), we realize that any change in federal regulations might prompt questions and concerns for students.

UBC values international students and the important contributions they make to UBC’s academic and research mission. They bring unique and diverse perspectives to the learning environment and our campus communities. Across all fields, international students are contributing to UBC’s excellence in countless ways.

Our priority is to support the academic success of UBC’s current international student community while also ensuring that Canada, and UBC, continue to welcome new international students from around the world who want to contribute to our vibrant academic community. We recognize that many international students may have additional questions as these processes continue to evolve and that they may require additional support. The university will continue to update relevant pages and resources to keep students informed as we receive official confirmation and additional details. Please visit the following sites for updates:

Interested in applying to UBC:

Gage Averill
Provost & Vice-President Academic, UBC Vancouver

Rehan Sadiq
Provost & Vice-President, Academic, UBC Okanagan

  • International