Frequently asked questions

Study Permit Application

• 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. 
  • A 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 they are 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 this document to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer when you arrive in Canada so that your study permit will be issued. Visit our Arriving in Canada page for more information.

• 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. 

  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?

  Please check who is exempt from the requirement for a study permit on the IRCC website.

  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. Minor children under the age of 17 must either:

  • come with their parent or legal guardian, or
  • have a custodian in Canada

  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 from the Provincial Government. Once available, the university uploads the PAL to you on the Applicant Portal.  It may take up to 10 days to receive the PAL.

  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 on how to obtain one. 

• What can I expect at customs and immigration in Canada?

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

• If I'm a current student, do I need to renew my study permit?
  If you are a current Ontario Tech student and your study permit is expiring soon, or you have changed levels of study, please refer to the following link for more information on how to apply for a study permit extension.

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

• Am I guaranteed a study permit if I receive a PAL?
  Receiving a PAL does not guarantee study permit approval. Applicants must still meet IRCC's requirements and study permit applications will be reviewed by IRCC for a decision.
• 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 refused, you must request and obtain a new PAL before you can re-apply. 
• How long a PAL is valid for?
  Refer to IRCC's website for more information on how long a PAL is valid for.
• 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 apply for your co-op work permit in your initial study permit application. Your offer of admission must be valid and show that your program has a work related component. Refer to our co-op work permit website for more information.

Study permit extension

• When does my study permit expire?

  As per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), s.222(1) a study permit becomes invalid upon the first to occur of the following days:

  • 90 days after the day you complete your studies, 
  • The day on which the permit holder is no longer enrolled at the DLI that is named on the permit, other than as a result of completing their studies, 
  • The date marked on the permit, or
  • The day on which the study permit is cancelled under section 222.7, 222.8 or 243.2.
• How can I extend my study permit?

  More information on study permit extensions can be found on the IRCC website.

  Refer to the International Office website for more information on how to obtain the required documents for a study permit extension.

Changing schools

• 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. 

  If you're changing DLIs at the post-secondary level, you need to obtain a new study permit before beginning your studies at Ontario Tech by applying to extend your current one. Detailed information about changing your school or program can be found on the IRCC website. 

• What should I do if I'm moving from secondary to post-secondary school.
  Refer to IRCC's website for more information on your next steps depending on if you currently have a study permit for secondary school, or if you have a visitor record.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

• When and how can I apply?

  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.

  If it is not your initial study permit application and you need to apply for an eTA separately, the application is online through the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada website. Most applicants receive approval within minutes, however some requests can take several days.

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, check your passport to see if your TRV is still valid. If you are applying for a study permit extension, you cannot apply for a TRV extension at the same time. You must first wait to receive your study permit extension before applying for your TRV extension.