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Immigration documents

Once you have received your offer of admission from our university, you will need to get your study permit.* 

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.

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

Depending on where you are from, you may require an eTA or TRV and a study permit. To find out if you require a TRV or eTA to enter Canada, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

For your initial study permit application, you do not need to apply for your visa (TRV or eTA) separately. 

*Exchange students visiting for less than six months may not require a study permit. You may also need to get a visa.

September 2024 update

On September 18, 2024, IRCC announced new measures to include graduate international students in the cap for 2025. However, this measure is not yet in effect. According to the current policy, you do not need a PAL if you are applying to study in a master's degree or doctoral degree program.

Government of Ontario update

As of January 22, 2024 international students entering an undergraduate program will receive an Attestation Letter that must be submitted with their study permit application. If you submitted your new study permit application prior to January 22, 2024 there will be no change in the process and your application will be reviewed without requiring an Attestation Letter. If you have applied for a graduate program (Masters or Doctoral Studies), no Attestation Letter is required. 

Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs)

Some undergraduate international students may require a PAL to be submitted with their study permit application. In order to determine whether you require a PAL please follow the steps outlined below:

1. Accept your offer
Offers of admission can be accepted through either the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre or through our Applicant Portal depending on how you applied to the university. We encourage you to accept your offer at your earliest convenience.

2. Pay your tuition deposit
Students must pay their $500 CAD non-refundable tuition deposit before proceeding with the PAL process. Payment is accepted online using MasterCard or Visa. You will need your Ontario Tech student number. The tuition deposit will only be refunded in instances that a study permit application is denied.

3. Fill out PAL Determination Form
Once you have paid your tuition deposit you will be sent an email that includes a link to fill out the PAL Determination Form. The PAL Determination Form will assist you in establishing if you require a PAL or whether you are exempt. You will receive confirmation after filling out the form.

4. Pay your PAL Deposit
If you require a PAL, you will receive confirmation and be directed to pay your $4,000 PAL non-refundable deposit. This deposit will go towards your first-year tuition fee and is not an additional cost. The PAL deposit will only be refunded in instances that a study permit application is denied. Please note: the preferred method of payment to ensure you receive your PAL in a timely manner is a credit card payment.

5. Receive your PAL
Once you have paid your PAL deposit we will request your PAL from the Province of Ontario. Once the PAL is available to you, you will be able to access it through Ontario Tech's applicant portal. This process will take approximately 10 days. You must submit your PAL with your study permit application.

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: 

  • Access to Canadian immigration lawyers for any questions you may have. 
  • 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, and use the promo code ONTECH to unlock the preferred rate ($20 CAD + government fees). If you have any questions or concerns please contact BorderPass at hello@borderpass.ca.

If you do not see your question listed below then you can contact us by:

Study permit introduction

  • What is a study permit?

    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. In general, foreign nationals need study permits to study in Canada if they intend to study a course or a program for more than six months.

    Ontario Tech University's Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number is O19315945002. The university’s legal name is the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

  • 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.
  • 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.


Initial study permit application


Study permit extension


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 changin 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)


Co-op work permit


BorderPass

  • What is BorderPass?
    BorderPass is a preferred, third-party service provider partner for Ontario Tech University to offer students access to its Canadian immigration services. BorderPass is a newcomer and visa management platform built, serviced and operated by Canadian immigration lawyers to streamline the immigration process for you throughout your stay in Canada.
  • Why should I sign up for BorderPass?
    Students who opt-in will receive study permit application preparation, review, and filing services through BorderPass by Canadian immigration lawyers. By combining legal expertise with advanced technology, BorderPass can make the process more efficient, and cost-effective for international students. BorderPass also provides students with stronger visibility into compliance and the entire immigration journey to help support long-term goals.
  • Is there an extra cost to me for BorderPass?

    As a result of the Preferred Partnership, the BorderPass Newcomer Pre-Arrival package costs $20.00 CAD (+ government fees), which includes a study visa permit application, premium services and access to Canadian immigration lawyers for 1-year.

  • I'm having issues with my BorderPass account. How do I get help?

    If you have any questions about BorderPass, please contact BorderPass via the chat option (small blue circle in the bottom right corner of their website or within your BorderPass dashboard). BorderPass also has a comprehensive self-service Knowledge Base which includes helpful articles, product walkthroughs, video tutorials, immigration tips and more.

  • Can BorderPass guarantee that my application will be approved?
    No. However, using BorderPass will provide you with a more complete, accurate, and professional application which is reviewed and submitted by a Canadian lawyer. No one can guarantee that an application can be approved as this is subject to IRCC discretion.
  • Can my dependents family's (spouse/partner, minor children) applications be submitted through BorderPass?
    Yes, BorderPass supports dependent family members and applications can be submitted online using the BorderPass platform.

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.