Category: International Students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is offering virtual learning sessions for international students who want to stay in Canada after graduation. These sessions provide an opportunity to ask questions about future pathways to permanent residence in Canada. Please note that no case-specific questions will be answered during these sessions.

How to Prepare

Before attending a session, students should watch the introduction video, which provides essential information about the pathways. The video is available on the IRCC website and a private YouTube channel.

Register for a Session

Students can register for one or more sessions in their preferred language:

• Sessions in English
• Sessions in French

As the tax season is approaching, the ISA office has partnered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and UBC TACS to provide information on tuition tax credits to International Students and assist international students with filing taxes.

1. Tuition Tax Credit Information Session – Hosted by CRA

The information session is hosted by CRA and the purpose of this information session is to help international students learn about Canada’s tax system and know what kind of benefits and credits they may be eligible for. International students could get GST/HST credit payments in Canada, and the tuition tax credits could help to reduce the tax payable (refund after filing the income tax return). If you are renting in BC for more than 6 months, you can also get the BC renter’s tax credit. Joining the information session will help you understand the benefits and responsibilities of filing a tax return in Canada, and you may learn about some resources that could be utilized during the tax season to get the tax return done.

Please register for the workshop to receive a Zoom link for the meeting:

Topic: Tuition Tax Credit Information Session – Hosted by CRA
Time: February 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Registration Link: https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/HVLMGxFfRqeF0EqJzONK2Q.

2.TACS Clinic

Each year, International Student Advising partners with the UBC Tax Assistance Clinics for Students (TACS) to offer students and low-income individuals in the UBC community assistance in completing their Canadian tax forms.  Students can register for appointments on the TACS webpage, and clinics will be held by the TACS team of dedicated and trained volunteers. For 2025, the TACS clinic will run from March to April 2025.

The priority appointment booking is now open. Complete the quiz on the UBC TACS website to determine the eligibility to book an appointment. If you are eligible to book an appointment, the Quiz will direct you to book.

Link to Priority Booking for International Students: https://tacs-clinic-eligibility.netlify.app/.
Clinic Dates: March 2025 – April 2025
Location: UBC Life Building | Conversation Pit

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your taxes sorted stress-free. Spaces are limited, so register early to secure your spot! The priority registration will expire by February 23, 2025, for international students. After this deadline, the link will be deactivated, and international students who wish to book an appointment will need to do so through the general booking link available on the website: https://www.ubctacs.com/clinic.

If you have any questions regarding the UBC TACS Clinic for 2025, you may contact the UBC TACS team.

Are you an international student looking to transition to Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada? Join IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for a series of interactive Q&A sessions designed specifically for international students. These sessions will provide valuable information and answer your questions about the PR process.

Event Details:

• Start Date: Week of February 17, 2025
• Duration: Runs for 6 weeks
• Languages: Available in English and French
• Format: Online virtual sessions

What to Expect?

• Interactive Q&A: Ask IRCC representatives your questions about PR pathways.
• PR Pathways Explained: Learn about programs like the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Programs, and Post-Graduation Work Permits.
• Flexibility: Attend at your convenience; sessions are spread over 6 weeks.

Pre-Session Requirement:

Before attending, all participants must view a short video available on the registration page.

International students can access priority registration here: https://tacs-clinic-eligibility.netlify.app/