Official University letters

Official stamp

Quick links: Proof of Enrolment letter | Modified Proof of Enrolment letter | Eligible to Graduate letter | Skills Verification letter

Official University of Waterloo letters may be required to prove your enrolment status for a variety of reasons, including immigration applications, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) forms, Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP) or graduate school applications.

  • Proof of Enrolment letter (free) can be ordered by students for free in Quest. The official letter includes your student ID number, enrolment status, enrolment history, program length and anticipated completion date. 

  • Modified Proof of Enrolment letter ($10) is for details not included in the proof of enrolment letter in Quest. These letters are reserved for students with unique circumstances.

  • Eligible to Graduate letter ($25) is for undergraduate students in their final term, who urgently need to confirm their eligibility to graduate before the “Degree Awarded” status has appeared in Quest.

  • Skills Verification letter ($50) may be needed when filing for immigration documents (PERM, H1B Visa, Green Card) for employment. This letter includes verification of technical skills or knowledge learned in your program.

Proof of Enrolment

Get your free proof of enrolment letter in Quest which will confirm your student enrolment status. The official letter includes your student ID number, enrolment status, enrolment history, program length and anticipated completion date. Once you see "Degree Awarded" you can print your official letter from Quest (see instructions under Proof of Enrolment).

The proof of enrolment letter can be used for any enrolment status confirmation, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) forms, Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) verification, immigration applications, and graduate school applications.  

  • Graduate students (in a master’s or PhD program): Funding information coded on your Quest account will be included. 
  • Graduating students with “Degree Awarded” status: This letter will indicate you have met your degree requirements and will include degree information, completion, and conferral dates. Undergraduate students can refer to the Eligible to Graduate letter if you require a letter before official academic standings are released. Graduate students can refer to the degree completion process for standard processing time.
  • Graduated alumni students: This letter will indicate your awarded degrees, program information, and conferral date.

Definition of Degree Awarded

Undergraduate students who have applied to graduate and have completed their final term, will see “Degree Awarded” at the top of their unofficial transcript after the date grades are officially released. Degree Awarded is not guaranteed to appear by this date as it could be delayed due to grade revisions, petitions, and other factors.

Graduate students will see “Degree Awarded” at the top of their unofficial transcript three to five business days after their department/ program co-ordinator approves them for graduation.

Ordering a proof of enrolment

Processing time

Proof of enrolment letters confirming enrolment status for the current term or previous terms are available immediately in Quest.

Undergraduate students

Type Timing of letter in Quest

Incoming new students

 After course schedule appears in Quest.

Upcoming academic term confirmation

 After course selection starts for returning students.
Upcoming co-operative work term confirmation Matched with a co-operative job and it is listed in Quest.

Graduate students

Type Timing of letter in Quest
Incoming new students

After matriculation (typically 6 weeks before the start of the term) or once the term is activated in Quest:

  • Fall - first two weeks of July
  • Winter – first two weeks of November
  • Spring – first two weeks of March

Upcoming academic term confirmation

Once the term is activated in Quest:

  • Fall - first two weeks of July
  • Winter – first two weeks of November
  • Spring – first two weeks of March

Upcoming co-operative work term confirmation

 Matched with a co-operative job and it is listed in Quest.

Immigration applications

If you have questions about the documents you require for applying or renewing immigration documents, connect with the immigration consulting team. 

Study Permit Extension

Use the proof of enrolment letter in Quest to confirm your registration for the current, previous, anticipated enrolment, and anticipated completion date. 

Post Graduation Work Permit

If you need an official completion of studies letter stating you’ve met all degree requirements, your Quest account must show "Degree Awarded" before it will appear on a proof of enrolment letter in Quest.

Undergraduate students can refer to the Eligible to Graduate letter if you require a letter before official academic standings are released. Graduate students can refer to the degree completion process for standard processing time. 

Service Canada Declaration of Attendance - CPP Forms

Your proof of enrolment letter can be submitted to Service Canada, instead of getting the form signed by our office.  

Complete sections A and B of the Declaration of Attendance and attach your proof of enrolment letter to section C.

Your completed forms and proof of enrolment can be uploaded to your Service Canada account.

Important: You will need to wait for the first day of classes to process your proof of enrolment in Quest as proof of enrolment letters with an issued date prior to the start of term will not be accepted by Service Canada.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) verification

Submit your proof of enrolment letter directly to your RESP company instead ofour office completing their verification request/online webform.

Type Timing of letter in Quest

Incoming new students

 After course schedule appears in Quest.

Upcoming academic term confirmation

 After course selection starts for returning students.
Upcoming co-operative work term confirmation After enrolling into a PD course or are matched with a co-operative work term job and it is listed in Quest.

Modified Proof of Enrolment Letter

Students can order a modified proof of enrolment letter for $10 to request details not included in the proof of enrolment letter in Quest. These letters are reserved for students with unique circumstances.

If you do not qualify for a modified letter, you will receive a Proof of Enrolment letter generated from Quest.

Ordering a Modified Proof of Enrolment

Orders submitted in error will not be refunded.

Log in to our Proof of Enrolment form using your University of Waterloo username and password. If you are unable to log in to your Quest account, complete the Forgotten username and/or Forgotten password forms. If you are still unable to access your account  Service Desk for help to reset your password. Service Desk can also create an account for alumni, or for any student who has been enrolled in at least one course since September 2001. 

If we can generate the requested information included in your Proof of Enrolment in Quest, you will receive this version.

Processing Time

Proof of enrolment letters will be processed within 1-3 business days. 

Visit The Centre in person to receive an immediate proof of enrolment letter.

Withdrawal letters

Future funding (graduate students)

Future department funding can be included on the letter. Your graduate department co-ordinator should email askthecentre@uwaterloo.ca with written confirmation.

Approved Leave of Absence (Graduate Students)

Graduate students with approved leave of absence terms coded in Quest can request for these terms to be included.

Eligible to Graduate letter

For Undergraduate students:

This letter is for Undergraduate students in their final term, who urgently need to confirm their eligibility to graduate before the “Degree Awarded” status has appeared in Quest. Reasons for these rare cases may include urgent employment, application to graduate school, or immigration deadlines.  Although this letter can be ordered before the "Degree awarded" status appears in Quest, the letter will only be issued after we obtain the necessary approvals from the department/faculty. For more information, refer to the Eligible to Graduate letter processing time below.

For Graduate students:

Eligible to Graduate letters are not available for Graduate students as the standard degree completion process takes 3-5 business days, after which time the "Degree Awarded" status will appear at the top of the transcript. Once you see "Degree Awarded" you can print your official letter from Quest (see instructions under Proof of Enrolment).

Ordering an eligible to graduate letter

Log in to the Eligible to Graduate form using your University of Waterloo username and password. If you are unable to log in, visit the Official Documents page for troubleshooting support. 

Upload documentation that proves you meet one of the following criteria:

  • You have a time-sensitive post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application for one of the following reasons: 
    • Your study permit is expiring within 30 days after your final term.
    • You have a time-sensitive offer of employment.
    • You have plans to travel soon to your home country.
  • You have a time-sensitive Permanent Residence application.
  • You have a time-sensitive educational or employment opportunity that requires you to provide evidence of degree completion.

Time-sensitive is defined as the following: Undergraduate Students: prior to the standing decisions and official grades are available in Quest.

If you are unsure you meet the requirements, contact our Immigration Consulting team for immigration-related circumstances, and The Centre for all other circumstances.  

If you place an order, but you do not meet the criteria for this expedited process, a modified Proof of Enrolment letter will be issued. If we can generate the requested information included in your Proof of Enrolment in Quest, you will receive this version.

Processing Time (Undergraduate Students Only)

We will start the process once grades begin to appear in Quest. Once all grades appear, we will contact your faculty for approval. The amount of time it takes to receive all faculty approvals for your specific degree requirements varies and depends on a variety of factors. We will do our best to expedite the letter; however, we cannot provide a timeline on processing or an expected completion date.

In most cases, the Eligible to Graduate letter cannot be issued before the last day of the last month of the term.

Degree completion process for graduate students
Program type and scenario Determining your degree completion date Approximate time it will take for your degree awarded status to appear on official documents
Thesis students (master’s and doctoral) The date your thesis is approved and archived in UWSpace. Degree awarded status will be recorded 3-5 business days after degree completion confirmation is received from your department to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).
Master’s students who have a research paper in their final term but no courses The date your research paper is fully approved. Degree awarded status will be recorded 3-5 business days after degree completion confirmation is received from your department to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).
Master’s students who have a research paper in their final term, but have not completed their courses The last day of the term in which the last course is taken to complete your degree requirements (e.g. Dec 31, 2024). Degree awarded status will be recorded 3-5 business days after the final grades are posted and degree completion confirmation is received from your department to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).*
Course-based master’s students (including Professional programs) The last day of the term in which the last course is taken to complete your degree requirements (e.g. Dec 31, 2024). Degree awarded status will be recorded 3-5 business days after the final grades are posted and degree completion confirmation is received from your department to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).*

If your degree awarded status is outstanding beyond the timeframe as stated above, contact your department/program co-ordinator and ensure they have approved you for graduation and have forwarded this information to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

*Important: For course-based graduate students, the letter confirming degree completion cannot be issued before the last day of the last month of the term.

 Last Day of the Term

Term Last Day of Term
Fall December 31
Winter  April 30
Spring August 31

Skills Verification Letter

A Skills Verification Letter may be needed when filing for immigration documents (PERM, H1B Visa, Green Card) for employment. This letter includes verification of technical skills or knowledge learned in your program. To receive this letter, submit your request along with the completed letter template (if applicable) to askthecentre@uwaterloo.ca.

Fees and payment options

Cost: $50 (include GST). Requests will be reviewed and approved before payment is requested.