Immigration and Visas

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also known as a visitor visa, allows you to travel to Canada if you are from a country that requires a visa. If your TRV has expired and you plan to travel outside Canada and return, you may need to apply for a new TRV before you travel.

As part of your TRV application, you may need supporting documents from VCC, such as:

• Confirmation of Enrolment Letter: To request this letter, complete and sign the Confirmation of Enrolment Request Form and upload it through myVCC.
• Official Transcript: To request your transcript, visit Student Records – Transcripts.

Make sure to review the requirements on the IRCC website before submitting your application.

Learn more: Entering Canada – eTA and TRV

To apply for a study permit extension, you will need a Study Permit Extension Support Letter from the International Education Office. To request this letter, complete and sign the study permit extension support letter request form and upload it through myVCC.

Learn more: Study Permit – How to Apply for a Study Permit

Yes. If your passport will expire soon or before the expected end date of your studies, you should renew it before applying to extend your study permit whenever possible.

IRCC generally cannot issue a study permit beyond the expiry date of your passport. Renewing your passport before submitting your study permit extension application may allow you to receive a study permit that is valid for the full length of your remaining studies.

If you are unable to renew your passport before you need to apply for a study permit extension, contact an International Student Immigration Advisor to discuss your options.

Learn more: Foreign Representatives in Canada: Consular Offices’ Addresses

If you apply to extend your study permit from inside Canada before your current permit expires, you may have maintained status in Canada. Maintained status means you may continue studying and working under the same conditions as your previous study permit while IRCC processes your application, as long as you remain in Canada.

Your eligibility to continue working depends on whether you continue to meet the conditions of your previous study permit and IRCC requirements.

If your study permit has already expired and you did not apply before the expiry date, your options may be limited. Contact an International Student Immigration Advisor as soon as possible.

Learn more:

• Study Permit
• On and Off Campus Work

Before returning to Canada, make sure you travel with:

• a valid passport
• a valid study permit
• a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA (if required)
• a Confirmation of Enrolment Letter (recommended)
• your class schedule and unofficial transcript from myVCC (recommended)

Border Services Officers determine admissibility when you enter Canada and may ask to see proof that you are continuing your studies.

Learn more: Entering Canada

Yes. If you have an application in progress with IRCC or your contact information has changed, you should update your address with IRCC as soon as possible by submitting an IRCC Web form. Keeping your contact information up to date helps ensure you receive important correspondence about your application and any immigration documents issued by IRCC.

You should also update your contact information in your myVCC account as soon as possible to ensure VCC can contact you with important information about your studies.

Learn more:

• IRCC Web form
• Tutorial – How to Update your Contact Information online

If your family or friends wish to visit you in Canada, they may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on their citizenship.

VCC does not issue invitation letters for visitor visa applications. You are responsible for preparing your own invitation letter.

To support your invitation, you may request a Confirmation of Enrolment Letter from VCC by completing and signing the Confirmation of Enrolment Request Form and uploading it through myVCC.

If your guests are visiting Canada specifically to attend your Convocation ceremony, you should prepare your own invitation letter and include documents that demonstrate your connection to VCC, such as:

• If you have not yet graduated: your Confirmation of Enrolment Letter, which confirms your expected program completion date.
• If you have graduated: your Program Completion Letter, which confirms that you have completed your program.

You may also include information about the expected Convocation ceremony date. Details about ceremony dates and eligibility are available on the VCC Convocation webpage.

Learn more:

• Invite family to visit Canada
• Letter of invitation for visitors to Canada
• Request Forms

It depends on where you are in the graduation process.

1. Before you receive your Program Completion Letter, you are still considered a VCC international student. You may be able to work on-campus and work off-campus as long as you have had work eligibility while studying and you have a valid study permit. 
2. Once you receive your Program Completion Letter, you must stop working immediately. You are no longer authorized to continue to work in Canada, as you no longer meet the eligibility criteria as a study permit holder under paragraph R186(v). 
3. After you receive your Program Completion Letterand submit your PGWP application within 90 days, you may be able to start working full-time if you meet all the eligibility criteria:
   • had a valid study permit at the time of the PGWP application submission,
   • had completed your program of study,
   • were eligible to work off-campus without a work permit and
   • did not work off-campus for more than 24 hours a week during academic sessions (unless meeting the IRCC temporary policy that allowed some international students to work more than 20 hours per week between November 15, 2022, and April 30, 2024).

To help avoid a gap in your work authorization, prepare your PGWP application in advance and ensure your study permit remains valid during your graduation period. Submit your application as soon as your Program Completion Letter and Electronic Transcript become available.

Learn more: Post-Graduation Work Permit

International Student Immigration Advisors provide support and guidance on Canadian immigration matters related to your studies, including:

• Study permits and study permit extensions.
• Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs).
• Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs).
• Working while studying.
• Maintaining your immigration status.
• Other IRCC-related questions.

To book an appointment, visit the International Advising page on the VCC website and follow the instructions to access advising services. If you are unsure whether you need an appointment or which service is right for you, contact the International Education Office for assistance.

Learn more: International Advising

Many VCC programs are designed to be accelerated programs, which means that a study program can be completed in less time than the normal length of the program. This should not impact the length of your PGWP as long as you maintain full-time academic status throughout your program. Check the Post-Graduation Work Permit page for details.