International Education

Provincial Attestation Letters now available  

The Government of B.C. is now issuing Provincial Attestation Letters to eligible post-secondary institutions to allow new international student applicants to apply for a study permit to study in B.C. The Provincial Attestation Letter issuing system went live on March 4, 2024. 

• Provincial Attestation Letter application system for eligible post-secondary institutions. 

The requirement for international student applicants to include a Provincial Attestation Letter as part of a study permit application was announced by the federal department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on January 22, 2024. International applicants are encouraged to contact their institution for more information. 

• Additional information on the Provincial Attestation Letter is available on IRCC’s website:  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html#attestation. 

B.C. strengthens quality standards for international education

The Province has announced new measures that provide higher standards and greater accountability for educational institutions that enroll international students to provide better protection for international students. 

The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills is implementing changes to ensure institutions deliver a quality education with the supports students need to study and succeed, including:

• A moratorium on new institutions seeking to host international students until February 2026;
• Higher standards for approval of new private degree programs;
• Strengthened standards, inspection and enforcement for private training institutions;
• New Enrolment Guidelines for public post-secondary institutions.
• Tuition transparency for international students at public post-secondary institutions. 

International Education in B.C. 

International education, including international students coming to British Columbia and B.C. students travelling abroad, enrich student development and connect the province to the broader global knowledge economy.

B.C. has approximately 545,000 post-secondary students (domestic and international students in the public and private sectors). Every year British Columbia welcomes students from over 150 countries to experience a world class education and life.

International students provide opportunities for B.C. students to have more global education experiences at home and bring social and cultural benefits to communities, schools and institutions throughout the province.

At the same time, schools and institutions in the province are committed to supporting the outward mobility of British Columbia students through study and work abroad opportunities. These activities provide students with valuable intercultural learning.