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.

Temporary Resident Visas

In addition to a study permit, students from most countries will need a visa to enter Canada. This document is known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). The difference between a study permit and a Temporary Resident Visa is distinct: a TRV allows you to enter Canada and a study permit allows you to remain in Canada.

Duration

TRVs are usually valid for the duration of your study permit.

Types

There are 2 types of TRVs: single-entry and multiple-entry TRVs.

  • A single-entry TRV allows its bearer to enter Canada only once. If you leave Canada, other than to the United States and St. Pierre and Miquelon, you will need a new visa to enter the country.
  • A multiple-entry TRV lets you leave and re-enter Canada repeatedly for the length of its validity.

TRV Exemptions

Depending on your citizenship, you may exempt from the TRV requirement. The citizens of the following countries are exempt from the requirement to first obtain a temporary resident visa to enter Canada:

  • Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (National Passport holders only) , Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia (Republic of),Liechtenstein, Lithuania*, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand , Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland*, Portugal, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States; *Only if they have an e-passport.
  • persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence;
  • British citizens and British Overseas Citizens who are re-admissible to the United Kingdom;
  • citizens of British dependent territories who derive their citizenship through birth, descent, registration or naturalization in one of the British dependent territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena or the Turks and Caicos Islands;
  • persons holding a British National (Overseas) Passport issued by the Government of the United Kingdom to persons born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong;
  • British subjects who hold a passport issued by the United Kingdom and who have the "right of abode" there;
  • persons holding a valid and subsisting Special Administrative Region passport issued by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China;
  • Persons holding passports or travel documents issued by the Holy See;
  • Persons holding an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes their personal identification number.

Contact

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