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Refugees and protected persons

Refugee claimants, convention refugees and protected persons require a study permit to attend any program that is over six months long. If your program has an experiential learning component such as co-op, internship, practicum, placements, etc. you also require a co-op work permit. Protected persons are exempt from providing a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), however you will be required to write a PAL exception letter.

The only foreign nationals that are able to study without a permit are defined in section 188 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

Visit the following link for more information on Study permits: Refugees and protected persons.

The international student advising team at Ontario Tech University cannot advise on refugee or protected person status or claims, however we are happy to advise on study permit applications. If you have questions about applying for a study permit please contact us

Other considerations

  • Eligibility for domestic fees

    Check the eligibility for domestic fees webpage to review the eligibility criteria.

    Note: Obtaining domestic tuition fee status does not exempt students from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements. A valid study permit is still necessary for the duration of your studies. Students are responsible for ensuring compliance with IRCC regulations.

  • Permanent residence

    If you obtain permanent residence, you must notify the university of your change in residency status by filling out the Eligibility for domestic fees application form located in MyOntarioTech.

    Please note: Even if you have previously submitted this form to qualify for domestic fees, you must submit it again if your residency status changes, so that your student record can be updated accordingly.

    1. Select your student type: Undergraduate or Graduate Students.
    2. Click on My information.
    3. Select the Eligibility for domestic fees application
    4. Review the instructions and submit the form.
The information provided on this page has been reviewed by International Student Advisors who are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs). Please note that the information is subject to change without any notice and this website is not a legal document. Please refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most updated information.