Study permit

Study permit application FAQ's

• What documents do I need to submit for my study permit application?

  Document requirements may vary. Examples of some required documents:

  • A valid passport and/or government-issued identification (travel document).
  • Documentation for your family-Marriage certificate and/or proof of common-law status (if your family is joining you in Canada).
  • Offer of admission from Ontario Tech University. 
  • An Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), unless you are exempt. Information regarding PAL can be found on the IRCC website 
  • Proof of adequate funds for your stay in Canada. Learn more about proof of financial support.
  • You are required to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) in person at a biometrics collection point. If you have your biometrics in the last 10 years and it’s still valid, you don’t have to give them again. Find out where to submit your biometrics on the facts about biometrics website. 
  • You may also require a medical examination.

  Information about getting the right documents can be found on the IRCC website. 

• What is the cost of a study permit application?
  The cost of a study permit can be found on the IRCC website. 
• What are the processing times for a study permit application from outside of Canada?
  You can check the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website for processing times.
• What is the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification process?

  Applicants must submit a LOA from a DLI as part of their study permit application. The institution will verify the LOA directly with IRCC as part of the application process. This process is called the LOA verification process.

  Students are not required to complete any additional steps to initiate the LOA verification process. Please note that the LOA Verification process and the PAL process are different.

  At Ontario Tech University, Letter of Acceptance is called Offer of Admission. 

• What happens after my study permit is approved?

  You can find the next steps after you apply for your study permit on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's Study in Canada page.

  If your study permit gets approved, you will be issued a letter of introduction. You will need to show the Canada Border Services' Officer when you arrive in Canada so that your study permit will be issued.

• What can I do if my study permit application was refused?

  Every refusal is accompanied by a letter that gives some information about the reasons for the decision. You are also encouraged to make an Access of Information and Privacy (ATIP) request to get the internal notes.

  If you need assistance in understanding the refusal and next steps, please email iss@ontariotechu.ca or book an appointment with an International Student Advisor.

• Who is exempt from a study permit?

  A foreign national can study without a study permit in Canada under the following conditions:

  • Duration of course or program of study is six months or less, and will be completed within the period of stay authorized upon entry into Canada. Example: if visiting on exchange and only studying at our university for one semester (four months).
  • Only engaging in distance-learning courses.
    • However, some distance learning courses include an in-Canada portion to the program (e.g., special tutorials or the writing of final exams). If the overall course of study is greater than six months, then the student requires a study permit for the in-Canada portion of the program, even if the in-Canada portion is less than six months. The duration of the study permit should be for the duration of the in-Canada portion only. 
  • Auditing courses (typically by sitting in on an academic course, but without obtaining credit for it, or having the ability to obtain credit for it retroactively).
  • Minor inside of Canada—visit IRCC to determine if you or your children(s) are considered minors, and are eligible to study without a study permit.

  To learn more about who needs a study permit and who does not, please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).  

  If you are exempt from obtaining a study permit, you may still be required to obtain a temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic authorization (eTA) in order to travel to Canada.

• Can I get a study permit if I am under 18 years old?

  You are considered a minor if you are 18 years or younger, therefore you will need a custodian. A custodian is a responsible adult, who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, who will take care of and support the minor child. A custodian is optional for minors 17 years of age and older, but an officer can request one on a case-by-case basis.

  You can read more on the Studying in Canada as a minor website.
• Do I need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for my study permit?

  A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is required as part of the study permit application process and serves as proof that you, as an international student, are included in the institution’s allocation. PALs are requested by the university to the Provincial Government. Once available, the university uploads the PAL to you on the Applicant Portal.
  There are some exemptions from the PAL requirement. Information regarding PAL exemptions can be found on the IRCC website.

  Please visit our Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) webpage for more information. 

• With my courses fully online, do I still need a study permit if I am inside Canada?
  You are required to have a valid study permit throughout the duration of your program while you are in Canada. During academic sessions, you would still be required to comply with your study permit conditions.
• What can I expect at customs and immigration in Canada?

  Please follow the steps listed on our Arriving in Canada website.

  You can amend your study permit if there was a mistake made by IRCC after the study permit was issued. You should apply for a study permit amendment as soon as possible. You can find more information on amending your study permit on the International Office website.

• If I'm a current student, do I need to renew my study permit?
  If you are a current Ontario Tech student and need to renew your study permit or you are changing programs or levels of study, please refer to the International Office website on study permit extension to determine if you require a PAL.

Study permit and PAL FAQ's

• Am I guaranteed a study permit if I receive a PAL?
  Receiving a PAL does not guarantee study permit approval. Study permit applicants must still meet all the requirements for a study permit to be issued.
• I submitted a study permit application to IRCC with the PAL I received. My study permit application was denied. Do I need a new PAL when I reapply for a study permit?
  If your study permit application to IRCC is denied, you can reapply for a study permit using this same PAL until the PAL expires.
• How long a PAL is valid for?
  Your PAL only needs to be valid when we receive it with your application. Unless it has an expiry date on it, it’s valid until January 21, 2025. You can resubmit a study permit application with the same PAL if it’s still valid.
• How is the PAL different from the LOA verification process?

  The PAL process and the LOA Verification process are two different processes.

  The provincial government administers the PAL process, while IRCC handles the LOA verification. Both are required as part of a study permit application. If you are not exempt from the PAL requirement, you must obtain a PAL before submitting your study permit application.

  IRCC is responsible for administering the LOA Verification process. Students are not required to take additional steps to initiate this process.

Co-op work permit

• I have a placement, co-op, internship, practicum that is part of my program. How do I apply for a co-op work permit?

  A co-op work permit is a mandatory document for international students during your co-op/internship/placement/practicum period. The co-op work permit is only for work that is a required part of your academic program to complete your degree. 

  You can refer to our co-op work permit website to find more information on how to obtain one. 

Study permit extension

• When does my study permit expire when I am inside Canada?

  Your study permit expires on whichever date comes first:

  • The date marked on the permit, or;
  • 90 days after the day you complete your studies.

  The 90 days begin:

  • On the date you get the first notification from your school (such as an email, letter, transcripts, etc.) that you completed your program, or;
  • When you get your degree, diploma or certificate.

  If you cannot prove the date you were first notified by the school, IRCC will use the earliest issue date on the document. They may confirm this date with the school.

  Please find more information on IRCC website.

  Information on how to extend your study permit from inside of Canada can be found on the International Office website.

• How can I extend my study permit?
  Visit our study permit extension web page for more information.

School transfer

• What should I do if I change my post-secondary school?
  Starting November 8, 2024, you must be enrolled in the designated learning institution (DLI) named on your study permit. This means you can no longer change DLIs by letting IRCC know through your online account. To change DLIs, you need to apply for a new study permit. Detailed information about changing your school or program can be found on the IRCC website. 

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

• When can I apply?

  Some requests can take several days to process if you're asked to submit supporting documents. It is best to get an eTA before you book your flight to Canada.

  If you are a citizen of a country that requires an eTA and you are applying for an initial study permit from outside of Canada, an eTA will automatically be issued upon approval of your study permit application. Your eTA may be issued for the same duration as your approved study permit or a five year period.

• How can I apply for an eTA?
  The application for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) is online through the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada website.

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

• How can I apply for a TRV from outside of Canada?
  Students applying for study permits from outside of Canada are able to apply for their Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) at the same time as their study permit applications. 
• How can I apply for a TRV from inside Canada?
  If you are already in Canada, you do not necessarily need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). TRVs are only required if you are trying to re-enter Canada.  Learn about extending temporary resident visas.