Apprenticeship Training - International Students

Apprenticeship Training for Temporary Residents

Apprenticeship Training for Work Permit Holders

Applying for Apprenticeship Training

Apprenticeship Training for Temporary Residents

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), temporary residents may be eligible to study in a short-term program for up to 6 months in length without a study permit, as long as there are no other study restrictions listed on the permit. 

At VCC, temporary residents may be eligible to register for apprenticeship courses/levels under six months in length.

How to Apply

To inquire about registration and obtain an application form, please email study@vcc.ca with the following details:

• The apprenticeship course you are interested in
• The course start and end dates
• A copy of your temporary resident document
• SkilledTrades BC Number (required for any Apprenticeship Training courses at VCC)

Important Notes:

• VCC does not issue a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) or Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for study permit applications related to apprenticeship courses.
• Your temporary resident document must remain valid for the entire duration of the course.
• If you plan to study in apprenticeship courses for more than six months, you will need a valid study permit or must wait until you obtain Permanent Residency or Canadian Citizenship to qualify as a domestic student.

Apprenticeship Training for Work Permit Holders who Qualify under the Temporary Public Policy

IRCC had announced a temporary public policy which allows eligible foreign workers to study without a study permit. For more information, please visit the IRCC webpage: Public policy allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit.

According to the abovementioned public policy, work permit holders can register for eligible apprenticeship training at VCC. Before applying, you must review the following information to determine your registration eligibility. By continuing with the application process, you confirm that you have read and acknowledged the statements outlined:

1. Eligible work permit holders can study without obtaining a valid study permit as per the temporary public policy announced on June 27, 2023.
2. This public policy came into effect on June 27, 2023, and will expire on June 27, 2026. IRCC can also revoke the public policy at any time without prior notice.
3. If you cannot complete the program before the expiry date on your work permit or June 27, 2026 (the date this public policy expires), whichever is sooner, you will need to stop your studies until you have another valid permit or authorization to continue studying.
4. You are responsible for confirming your immigration eligibility to enroll in the Apprenticeship Training program(s) according to your current immigration status. Should you have questions about your immigration status, you may contact IRCC by phone at 1-888-242-2100 or by using the online IRCC Web Form.
5. Under this public policy, you will not be eligible for a post-graduate work permit.
6. Under this public policy, your work experience during your study period will not count toward eligibility for the Canada Experience Class or Canadian work experience points under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
7. Vancouver Community College will not be held responsible should you not be compliant with your immigration status.

Applying for Apprenticeship Training

One of the following IRCC documents will be required upon application to VCC's apprenticeship programs.

• a valid work permit issued on or before June 7, 2023, or
• an IRCC letter authorizing you to work issued on or before June 7, 2023, or 
• an IRCC email confirming eligibility under this public policy

If you have one of the above IRCC documents, you may apply online at educationplannerbc.ca to one of the programs listed below. If the program is full, it will be removed from educationplannerbc.ca and applications will not be accepted. Check VCC's refund policy for apprenticeship courses for details before applying.

For additional documents required upon application, including the SkilledTradesBC ID numbers, click on the program pages below for details.

If your desired apprenticeship program is not listed above, it may not be available to international students. Any questions? Contact ieservices@vcc.ca for more information.

The content on this page reflects the information available at the time of its publication. It is important to acknowledge that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other government departments regularly revise their policies. For the latest information, please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Latest Updated: March 28, 2025