Immigration documents
Before coming to Canada to study, you'll need to make sure you have the right immigration documents in place.
Status document: Study permit
Once you have received your offer of admission from our university, you will need to apply for a study permit. A study permit is a document that allows foreign nationals to study at a designated learning institution in Canada.
- Exchange students visiting for less than six months may not require a study permit. However, you might still need to get a visa or eTA—please visit the link provided or contact internationalexchange@ontariotechu.ca for more information.
As per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), most undergraduate international students will require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for their study permit applications. Once you have received your offer of admission from us, you'll want to get started on this process as there are a limited number of PAL's available and IRCC processing times vary by region.
Please note: All of our in-person Bachelor, Master's and Doctoral degree programs are post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligible. No Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code required.
Entry document: Temporary Resident Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization
In addition to a study permit and depending on where you are from, you may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to enter Canada. To find out if you require a TRV or eTA, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
BorderPass
BorderPass partnership
To help make the process of applying for a study permit and visa easier we've partnered with BorderPass—a visa management platform to streamline the immigration process for you throughout your stay in Canada.
With BorderPass, you will be provided with the following:
- Free email access to immigration lawyers, plus optional paid one-on-one consultations.
- Creation and management of your permanent residency pathway.
- Concierge services to ensure you have all the support you need.
- Guidance, building and review of visa applications by Canadian immigration lawyers.
- Notifications of key dates to apply for visa extensions, work permits and residency visas.
To sign up with BorderPass and begin your application for the BorderPass Newcomer Pre-Arrival package, go to the BorderPass registration page to access Ontario Tech’s unique portal. Signing up through our link will waive the BorderPass legal fees. Applicants are still responsible for the administrative and processing fees.
Administrative and processing fees include:
- $150 IRCC Study Permit Processing fee
- $85 Biometrics fee (this is an IRCC fee)
A study permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows someone to study in Canada for a specified period of time. Learn more about the study permit.
A co-op work permit is a document issued by IRCC that allows students to participate in work experience that forms an essential part of a program of study. If your program has a co-op, practicum, placement or internship component, you must apply for a co-op work permit along with your initial study permit application.
A temporary resident visa (TRV) is a visa sticker placed inside your passport that allows you to enter or re-enter Canada. To find out if you require a visa, visit the Immigration and Citizenship website.
An electronic travel authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for travelers from visa-exempt countries who fly to or transit through Canada. To find out if you require a visa, visit the Immigration and Citizenship website.