COVID-19 information for International students

Updated October 13th, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.

Visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) website for more information.

English language proficiency requirement

Given the challenges of COVID-19, UNBC will accept the following online options to meet English Language Proficiency Requirement for undergraduate admissions purposes.

Duolingo English test – A score of 105 is required for English Language Proficiency Requirement
IELTS Indicator online test – An Academic Score of at least 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any of the four modules

English Language Requirements

Study and work permit

I want to study at UNBC in January 2023, but I don’t have a study permit. What is the deadline to apply for a study permit?

IRCC continues to accept complete study permit applications for the January term, but a decision may not be made in time for you to start your studies in January. UNBC International recommends that you apply as soon as possible if you wish to begin your studies in January 2023 but encourages students to apply for May 2023 or September 2023 instead to ensure enough time to process their application.

You can check approximate study permit processing times on the IRCC website here.

I need to renew my study permit. Are there any changes because of COVID-19? Will the expiry dates change?

The study permit renewal process has not changed. It is also important to note that the expiry date on your study permit remains the same. Processing times for renewals are in excess of two months so it is important to start this process well in advance of the expiry date.

IRCC study permit renewal

Are international students able to register for courses and begin studying from their home countries without a study permit if their courses are available online?

Students who are in programs starting from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023 will only be able to complete 50% of their credits from outside of Canada to remain eligible for a Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP). Studies completed online from outside Canada starting on September 1, 2023, will be deducted from the length of a future PGWP.

International students studying online from abroad or who submit a study permit application no later than August 31, 2022, will continue to be able to complete up to 100% of their program online without affecting their PGWP eligibility. However, study time completed from abroad starting on September 1, 2023, will be deducted from the length of their post-graduation work permit, regardless of when a student began their studies.

Transition period for distance learning measures

If I studied at UNBC, or at another DLI, in another term, and I can't attend the May term, what happens to my study permit?

If there is a gap in studies of greater than 150 days, you must either apply to change your status (for instance, change it into visitor status) or leave Canada. This means you also need to stop working if you are presently employed.

Study permit details

I have heard I do not need to give biometrics if I am applying to renew my study permit from within Canada. Is this true?

As a temporary measure, you’re exempt from giving biometrics if you’re applying from within Canada to extend your stay as a student, restore your status as a student, or apply for a new study permit. This applies to all new applications as well as applications already in progress.

It applies even if:

Your application form for a work permit, study permit or visitor visa says it’s for applicants outside Canada.
Our online application system asks you to pay a biometric fee (CAN$85).

This temporary measure does not apply if you’re outside Canada.

What happens to international students’ offers of admission if they fail to acquire a study permit in the future?

All international students must have a valid study permit to study in Canada. UNBC encourages you to keep up-to-date of application processes, timelines etc. The UNBC International Office can help – email ie@unbc.ca.

All regular semester dates remain in effect, including refunds and withdrawal dates. Students who are unable to obtain a study permit for study in Canada, will have any balance on their account refunded after relevant charges have been applied. The offer of admission will then be withdrawn.

Undergraduate Semester Dates

Graduate Semester Dates

Will taking courses online due to COVID-19 affect my eligibility for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)?

If you are inside Canada:

You’re still eligible for the PGWP if:

your in-person classes in Canada have been moved to an online-only format and you are taking your classes online because of COVID-19, or
you had to put your studies on hold, or study part-time, during the winter, spring or summer 2020 semesters because of COVID-19

As of the Winter 2022 semester, you must be studying full-time to be eligible.

If you are outside Canada,

Programs starting from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023 will only be able to complete 50% of their credits from outside of Canada to remain eligible for a PGWP. Studies completed online from outside Canada starting on September 1, 2023, will be deducted from the length of a future PGWP.

Source: Government of Canada

I am a new student and I am in the process of applying for my study permit from outside Canada, but I can’t give my Biometrics because all the sites close to me are closed. What should I do?

If the site closest to you is closed, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will automatically extend your deadline to give your biometrics. You don’t have to give your biometrics until the sites start offering collection services again. This applies to you, even if your biometrics instruction letter (BIL) says you have 30 or 90 days. There is not need to contact IRCC for this extension, and you don’t need a new BIL to make another appointment when sites reopen. Bring your original BIL to your new appointment to show proof of payment. If you can’t give your biometrics due to a location closure near you or a service disruption, don’t go to another biometrics collection site unless IRCC tells you to. This includes:

Canadian POEs.
Other international biometrics collection locations, like a VAC.

Travel

Find out if you are eligible to enter Canada by using the Government of Canada's Travel Wizard.

Travel Wizard

Effective October 1st, 2022:

On October 1, 2022, all COVID-19 border requirements, including vaccination, mandatory use of ArriveCAN, and any testing and quarantine or isolation requirements, ended for all travellers entering Canada by land, air or sea.

More information available here.

Effective February 28, 2022:

Foreign nationals who reside in Canada temporarily, and who entered Canada as unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, will be allowed to leave the country without being fully vaccinated with an accepted vaccine.
Canada will be easing the on-arrival testing for fully-vaccinated travellers. This means that travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, will be randomly selected for arrival testing. Travellers selected will also no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.
Travellers will now have the option of using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result (taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) or a molecular test result (taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) to meet pre-entry requirements. Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not sufficient to meet the pre-entry requirement – it must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and must be administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service

Effective January 15th, 2022:

Travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada. These groups include international students who are 18 years old and older.
Unvaccinated international students under the age of 18 will be permitted to enter but must attend a designated learning institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by the province or territory where the school is located.

I am not studying this term, but I want to come to Canada as soon as possible. Will this be a problem?

Students in most cases should not plan to enter Canada earlier than 4-weeks prior to the start of classes. UNBC International was notified by the Canadian Border Services Agency that students seeking to enter the country greater than 4-weeks prior to the start of term may be eligible for entry, but we suggest you apply for and travel with a Confirmation of Enrolment Letter - International issued by the office of the Registrar. A travel support letter will be issued to support your entry. Before applying for this letter, please ensure you have registered for classes in the next term.

Confirmation of Enrolment Letter International

I recently arrived in British Columbia to start my studies, but I don’t have provincial health insurance. Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine, or a booster?

Yes. If you are living in B.C. during the pandemic you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You do not need to be in the BC MSP health insurance program (a BC Services card or public health number) to get the vaccine. You do not need to be a Canadian citizen or have permanent residency to get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, you must have a public health number in order to register online. If you do not have a public health number, you need to register for your vaccine by calling the province-wide call centre (1-833-838-2323) or in-person at a ServiceBC office.

BC Centre for Disease Control

I have heard that when I enter Canada I will need to provide proof of health insurance at the border. Is this true?

No. At this time there is no expectation that students provide proof of coverage upon arrival at a Port of Entry.

I will be completing my studies soon. Will I need any special paperwork from UNBC to leave Canada?

UNBC is not aware of any particular exit requirements. However, before travelling it is important to be aware of the entry restrictions to your home country prior to travelling.

I understand that UNBC’s COVID-19 readiness plan has been approved. Where can I see this?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a list of DLIs with approved COVID-19 plans on its website. UNBC’s reopening plan has received approval from the Ministry of Advanced Education.

IRCC: DLIs with approved COVID-19 readiness plans

I was vaccinated abroad. How can I let the Province of British Columbia know this?

You can easily update your vaccination records even if you do not have a Personal Health Number (PHN). This can be done through the link below to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).