International

Visas, Permits, and Immigration

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Due to recent IRCC changes, please see Updated International Application Process.

Studying and moving to a new country can be a bit overwhelming. On this page, we have pulled together all the relevant information for those looking to study, work, and immigrate to Canada.

NBCC is here to support international students as they navigate the Canadian immigration system and the information on this page has been reviewed by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Be aware, however, that immigration policies can change without notice. For the most current and accurate information, you should always refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website: Study in Canada as an international student - Canada.ca. 

Kindly note that the information on this page does not, and is not intended to constitute legal advice, and instead all information, content and material is for general information purposes only. Students are solely responsible for their own research and legal advice in order to ensure that they are in compliance with all Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulations in order to gain entry to and at all times during their time in Canada, including, but not limited to, any medical or study and work permit related requirements. 

For more information on opportunities to stay permanently in the Province of New Brunswick, please visit www.welcomenb.ca. With an abundance of exciting career opportunities, over 12,000 annually and counting, New Brunswick is recruiting skilled people, like you, who want to grow in a province where their unique knowledge, culture, and perspectives are valued.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made an announcement on January 22, 2024, that will directly impact prospective international students who wish to study in Canada. You can review the IRCC news release here.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be setting a cap on the number of study permit approvals issued for a two-year period (2024-2025). The New Brunswick cap will be provided to the provincial government and the province will distribute the New Brunswick cap amongst the designated learning institutions in New Brunswick, including NBCC.

As part of this cap implementation, as of January 22, 2024, all study permit applications will require a letter of attestation from the province. Provinces have until March 31, 2024, to establish a process to issue these letters of attestation.

At this time, you should not submit a study permit application until you have received additional information from NBCC about the process for requesting a letter of attestation.

Learn more about the following topics to better help prepare yourself for your journey to Canada.

International Student Immigration Information Sessions

NBCC hosts live information sessions with our International Immigration Advisor, who is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). This is an opportunity for prospective students to ask questions and learn more about the immigration process in Canada. These 30-minute sessions will provide you with all the information you need about navigating the Canadian immigration system. Click here to view upcoming information sessions and watch past recordings. 

Resources

The resources and guide below have been created by NBCC’s International Immigration Advisor to best prepare our students to navigate the immigration process.

Compliance

As required by law, New Brunswick Community College will periodically report on each international student’s enrolment status to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This means, you must make timely and reasonable progress towards completing your study program, and maintaining your immigration status in Canada.

Taking a Break

If you are thinking about taking a semester off, your study and work rights could be affected. Please check with your NBCC advisor, if you’d like to take time away from your studies.

Keeping Required Documents

You should always keep your passport, visa, study and or work permit, and family information on hand whenever you travel in and out of Canada. You should also keep photocopies of each document and an electronic document in a secure place that you can access online or off.

As you will be re-examined upon entering Canada after you travel, it is important to remember that you must have all of your documentations on your person. Note that you may need to provide financial documentation to show that you continue to be able to meet the costs of your studies in Canada. Failure to do so may result in being refused entry.

If your health or legal status changes while in Canada, it is good to contact a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or Canadian Immigration Lawyer before you leave the country.

Keeping your Documents Up-to-date / When to extend

Type of document

Timeframe to extend your document

Passport

A minimum of 6 months before the expiration date

Study Permit,co-op work permit

A minimum of 4 to 5 months before the expiration date

Temporary Resident Visa(TRV)

Before the expiration date. In some cases you may apply after the expiration date if you have applied for a study or work permit and are not yet intending to leave and re-enter Canada.

Social Insurance Number(SIN)

Before the expiration date of your SIN

Expired Study Permits

If you have not applied for an extension before your study permit expires, you must stop studying - and working – immediately. Failure to do so will result in you falling out-of-status.

In the event of falling out-of-status, you will have to apply for a restoration of your status. An application for restoration can only be done within Canada. You will not be able to leave the country until such time that an officer makes a decision on your case. These decisions can take several months and it’s important to remember that you are not guaranteed a new study permit if you have to apply for restoration.

Lost Study Permits

if you lose your study permit you will need to apply for a replacement document by launching an application called a replacement of an immigration document. If this happens to you, you may continue studying in Canada, but in order to leave the country, you should not leave, until a copy of a valid study permit has been approved and sent to you.

Contact

If you have any further questions about any of this information, please contact us at international@nbcc.ca.