Immigration Documents
On January 22, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) announced a number of updates and measures to the International Student Program. As of 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024, most new post-secondary students applying for a study permit are required to include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) in their study permit application. For more information read below and visit our News and Updates page.
NEW: On September 18, 2024 IRCC announced further upcoming changes to the International Student Program. For more information, visit our website. As specific details are released by IRCC we will be updating our website.
If you will be studying at SFU for more than one term, you must apply for, and be approved for, a study permit to study in Canada. Depending on your country of citizenship(s) you may also require either a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.
To check to see if you need a TRV or an eTA, visit the IRCC website. If you require a TRV or an eTA to travel to Canada, IRCC will automatically issue the appropriate document to you when your study permit application is approved.
Study Permit and Immigration Documents Application Tips
Below are a few steps to begin with once you have determined the type of immigration document/s to apply for.
SFU's Designated Learning Institution's (DLI) number is O18781994282 (begins with the letter “O”).
When you are applying for your study permit:
(1) Check the application processing times
Processing times vary and fluctuate. Apply as early as you can to avoid any disappointments and allow extra time for any additional steps that may be required (such as giving your biometrics or undergoing a medical exam).
} Check application processing times
(2) Determine where and how you will submit your application
Submit your application either online (preferred) or by mail to the visa office that is responsible for the country or region where you live.
Most study permit applications can now be submitted online. Visit the IRCC website for eligibility details and application instructions.
US Citizens: If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the USA, you have the option of submitting your application upon your arrival at a Canadian port of entry (e.g. your airport of arrival or land crossing into Canada). Please see US students: Apply at a port of entry for details.
Student Direct Stream: Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
Nigeria Student Express: Study permit applicants in Nigeria may be eligible to apply through the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) pilot. Please refer to the Nigeria visa office instructions for further details.
(3) Read the Application Guide and collect the necessary Forms and Documents required
The IRCC website provides the resources you will need to apply for your documents. Please note that to apply for a study permit, you will typically require the following items:
(A) APPLICATION FOR A STUDY PERMIT
Available on the IRCC website.
(B) BIOMETRICS
Most study permit applicants are required to provide fingerprints and have their photograph taken as part of their application. To find out if you need to meet this requirement, visit the IRCC website.
If you are required to give your biometrics, you must arrange to do so at an official collection point after receiving a biometrics instruction letter from IRCC. Visit the IRCC website for details of where you can give biometrics.
(C) VALID PASSPORT
Your passport or travel document must be valid during the period of your academic program in Canada. If it will expire before the end of your studies, start the process to renew six months before the expiry date (note that each country/territory has their own procedures regarding passport renewal). If you are a US citizen, you do not currently need to have a passport to enter Canada, but you will be asked to show proof of citizenship. As this policy may change, we advise all US citizens to have valid passports.
(D) OFFICIAL SFU EXCHANGE / STUDY ABROAD ADMISSION LETTER
Include your SFU Exchange/Study Abroad Letter (also known as an admission letter or acceptance letter; sent to you via email) in your application for a study permit.
(E) PROOF OF FUNDS
You must prove you have enough money to pay for your tuition and living expenses as well as for your return transportation to your home country. If your spouse and/or children are accompanying you, you will need to show adequate funds to support them as well.
For more information regarding IRCC's minimum requirements for proof of financial support, and examples of acceptable documents, please visit the IRCC website. You should also consult the instructions provided by the Canadian visa office for your region to see region-specific requirements and recommendations.
GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING FINANCIAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTS:
Any financial documents that are not in your own name should be accompanied by proof that you have access to the funds shown.
- For example, if you are including a copy of your parents' bank statement(s) and/or proof of your parents' employment as evidence of financial support, you should also attach a signed letter from your parents confirming they will be supporting you during your studies.
- It is also helpful to include proof of your relationship with the person funding you.
The source and history of the funds must be clear enough for an officer to understand.
- Large deposits made to accounts without evidence of the origin of the funds may not be considered as reliable evidence of your ability to afford studies in Canada.
Funds must be readily accessible to you.
- Proof of assets such as property ownership may be included with your application; however, these should not be seen as a replacement for more accessible funding sources (e.g. bank accounts, employment, etc.)
- Proof of funding from SFU may be included as evidence of financial support. However, because these funds have not been disbursed to you yet, we recommend you avoid relying solely on funding offered by the University for your study permit application. Please ensure you are showing additional sources of readily available financial support as well.
Please review typical estimated costs of living on the SFU Financial Aid website.
(F) PROVINCIAL ATTESTATION LETTER (PAL)
As of January 22, 2024, study permit applicants are required to include a provincial attestation letter, unless exempted*, from the province/territory where they intend to study, in their appilication. If you are coming to SFU to study as an exchange student for 2 or 3 terms, and you are applying for a study permit outside Canada, you will require a PAL.
* Graduate students in master's or doctoral degrees and those applying for study permits in the preschool, primary, and secondary levels are a few of those who will be exempted from this requirement. Students who receive a scholarship for non-Canadians that is administered and funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) are also exempt from the PAL requirement. Learn more about the current PAL exemptions on the IRCC website.
You will receive your PAL by email with your SFU Letter of Acceptance/Student Exchange Letter. Please visit our FAQ page for more information about the PAL.
(4) Consult the instructions provided by the Canadian visa office serving the country or region where you live to determine if you are required to provide additional requirements, forms or documents
Contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist if you have any questions about your application or the application process. Some applicants may also require:
(A) MEDICAL EXAMINATION
An immigration medical examination is required if you have resided or stayed temporarily for six or more consecutive months in a designated country or territory in the year preceding your application to come to Canada.
If this is a requirement for you, start the process early. Medical examinations may take several months to process. If your immigration medical exam has expired, you must allow enough time to obtain a new one before returning to Canada. The Canadian representative from your home country will inform you of the procedures, and you should familiarize yourself with the requirements before leaving your home country.
For more information about immigration medical examination requirements, please visit the IRCC website.
(B) CUSTODIANSHIP DECLARATION FORMS (impacts students under the age of 19 only)
Students under 19 years of age may also require custodianship declaration forms certifying that they will have a legal custodian in Canada. Please see Students under 19 years: Custodianship for further details.
(C) OVERCOMING CRIMINAL INADMISSIBILITY (for students who have been convicted of a criminal offense)
If you have previously been convicted of a crime, please visit the IRCC website for information on overcoming criminal inadmissibility.
Next steps:
Monitor your email as well as your online IRCC account for any updates or requests for further information, and respond promptly to any requests you receive.
Once IRCC has all the necessary information and documents required, an immigration officer will make a decision on your application and you will be notified of the outcome.
For more information about what happens after you apply, visit the IRCC website.
If your application is approved
Upon final approval of your application submitted outside Canada, you will be issued a Letter of Introduction (also known as a study permit approval letter or Port of Entry letter). You will need to present this letter to the officer upon your arrival at the port of entry to Canada in order to have your study permit issued to you. For more information on the arrival process, see Travelling to Canada.
If you require a temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, this will also be issued to you when your study permit is approved:
- If you require a TRV, you will be given instructions on how to submit your passport to the visa post so that the visa counterfoil can be issued.
- If you require an eTA, this will be issued electronically and the eTA number will be noted on your study permit approval letter.
If your application is refused
If your study permit application is refused, you will be given written reasons for the refusal. Your options in the event of a refusal may vary depending on the circumstances and reason/s why your application was refused.
Please contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for further guidance if you receive a refusal decision on your study permit application. Alternatively, you may reach out to an Authorized Representative such as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or lawyer external to SFU for assistance.
You can also find some general information regarding refusals on the following pages of the IRCC website:
- Study permit: After you apply
- Understand your visitor visa application refusal and what to do next
- Note: although this page refers to visitor visa refusals, much of the information is also applicable to study permit refusals