Immigration

Person holding a maple leaf in front of themselves — Study

Services for international students

Immigration

Study permit holders are temporary residents in Canada. As a temporary resident, you must maintain your immigration status and follow immigration regulations throughout your studies. Our Student Immigration Advising Team is here to help you stay informed and confident as you navigate your study and immigration requirements.

Immigration updates

Temporary suspension of travel document

Following a recent Government of Canada announcement on Ebola-related temporary border measures, we are aware that several uOttawa students and graduates have received emails from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about the suspension of their immigration documents.

Please note:

Check the document number in the top-right corner of the IRCC correspondence you received. This number identifies which immigration document IRCC is referring to, allowing you to confirm whether the suspension applies to your travel document (temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization).
If the number matches your travel document, your status in Canada hasn’t been affected. If you’re currently in Canada, you can continue to study or work for the duration of your valid study permit or work permit.
If your travel document is suspended, you won’t be able to re-enter Canada if you leave during this period.

Public health measures are temporary, and the situation may change.

What we recommend:

Avoid international travel if your travel document might be affected.
Continue to comply with the conditions of your current permit.
Monitor official updates from IRCC.

If you have questions about your specific situation, contact the Student Immigration Advising team for guidance.

Co‑op work permit no longer required

Effective April 1, 2026

International students no longer need a co‑op work permit to complete mandatory work placements, including co‑ops and internships. Students can complete their work placements using their valid study permit if it includes conditions allowing them to work on campus.

Students with pending applications for a co-op work permit don’t need to take any action. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will withdraw all eligible and active applications.

Provincial Attestation Letters

Study permit applications for master’s or PhD programs submitted starting January 1, 2026, will no longer need to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).

Faster application processing for doctoral students

Immigration applications from doctoral degree (PhD) students and their accompanying family members may be eligible for faster processing. Follow the instructions to benefit from this change.