NOTE: This information is for current international students. If you're a prospective international student looking for more information, please visit the new Canadian study permit requirements webpage.
Scammers are targeting international students at the University of Waterloo through fraudulent emails claiming to be from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
These emails allege that there is an issue with the student’s visa and that it will be cancelled if they do not take action. Students are then directed to sign-in to a fake IRCC portal, compromising their login information.
On December 7, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a number of policy updates that directly impact international students.
UPDATE: The immigration measures for Sudanese temporary residents in Canada have been extended until October 27, 2024 and this article has been updated to reflect the change.
On April 24, 2023, IRCC announced new immigration measures to support Sudanese temporary residents who are currently in Canada and may be unable to return home due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in their country.
The current temporary measures came into effect on April 30, 2023, and have been extended until October 27, 2024.
On September 8, 2023, a powerful earthquake struck Morocco causing widespread destruction. Thousands have died or have been left homeless. Recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced temporary special measures to support nationals of Morocco in Canada. These special measures started on October 19, 2023 and will end on March 12, 2024.
UPDATE: The special measures have been extended until January 3, 2024 and the article below has been updated to reflect this new information.
On February 6, 2023, Türkiye and Syria suffered devastating earthquakes that killed thousands and damaged vital infrastructure. Canada offered humanitarian assistance to the survivors, who faced freezing temperatures and more tremors that hampered rescue efforts.
Starting July 31, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will require multi-factor authentication for users logging into their accounts through GCKey.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a new temporary public policy which allows eligible foreign workers to study without a study permit.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is facilitating an open work permit extension for eligible workers who can opt-in to extend their work permit.
On June 6, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that 13 additional countries would be added to the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program. An eTA is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. After applying for and being approved for an eTA, it is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first).