Study Permit (Outside Canada)
Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government department that handles immigration. You will be issued the permit upon entry to Canada by presenting your letter of invitation (LOI).
Do you need a study permit?
You need a study permit if you are admitted to the U of A to a program of study that is longer than six months.
- An undergraduate (bachelor’s, diploma, certificate) or graduate (master’s, PhD, certificate) program
- As an exchange student, you will be studying for longer than six months
- As a visiting student, you will be studying for longer than six months
- In an English or French as a second language program, and you plan to study for longer than six months
- An online program that is longer than 6 months, with any in-person component.
You do not need a study permit
- If the duration of your program of studies is six months or shorter, and will be completed within the period of your stay authorized upon entry into Canada
- Your program is 100% online. If there is any in-person component, such as an exam or a lecture, a study permit is needed.
- You hold a valid work permit that you applied for on or before June 7, 2023, allowing you to study without a study permit until June 27, 2026. To study beyond this date, you must have been approved for a study permit. See eligibility
WHEN TO APPLY?
Apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your University of Alberta (UofA) Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
Check your LOA to confirm that it is titled “Letter of Acceptance” as you will receive a “Letter of Offer” prior to accepting your offer of admission. You need to include both the Letter of Offer and the Letter of Acceptance in your study permit application as one PDF file.
Important Note: a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) may also be required. Check whether you need a PAL.
Borderpass Study Permit Application Support
The University of Alberta has partnered with BorderPass to provide free, expert immigration support to degree-seeking (newly admitted undergraduate and graduate students) international students applying for a study permit. Newly admitted students choosing to use this service will have access to trusted Canadian immigration lawyers to prepare their application, ensuring it is complete, accurate, and ready for submission. Students are responsible for the government filing fees.
Apply for your study permit using BorderPass
Exchange and visiting students and visiting interns seeking immigration advice, contact ISVS.
GET YOUR DOCUMENTS READY
- Letter of Acceptance and Letter of Offer merged as one pdf file
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or PAL Exemption Letter
- Proof of financial support
- Valid passport
- Passport-style photo(s)
- Study Permit Made Outside Canada (IMM1294) application form
- A study plan
- IRCC’s country-specific study permit application requirements (click here and select your country of residence to find out if any additional documents apply to you)
- Biometrics
- An immigration medical exam, if applicable
How to apply?
Apply online, whether you’re outside of Canada or already in Canada.
- Create an IRCC Secure account (GC Key)
- Review the tutorial videos
- Review IRCC's Guide 5269 - Applying for a Study Permit outside Canada
- Prepare all required documents
- Contact us with any questions
- Upload your documents
- Pay the application and biometrics fees
- Submit your application online
Find out more on the IRCC website
Include the University of Alberta Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number #: O19257171832. The first character is the letter 'O', not the digit/number zero '0'.
- Application fee: $150 CAD, unless you are fee-exempt.
- Biometrics: $85 CAD.
When you apply for a study permit outside Canada, you will automatically be applying for an entry visa (TRV or eTA) without making a separate application.
Applying at A Port of Entry (POE)
Only available for citizens or permanent residents of the USA, Greenland, or St. Pierre and Miquelon. Find out which documents you will need to apply.
We advise that students apply for their study permit online to avoid any issues or delays with applying at the Port of Entry.
Have the contact information for the Student Services Centre available, in case verification with the university is required upon entry.
After You Apply: What to Expect
- Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL): If you indicated in the questionnaire that you have not done your biometrics within the last 10 years, you will receive a biometrics request from IRCC. A study permit cannot be issued beyond the expiry of your biometrics.
- Immigration Medical Exam (IME): If you have spent more than 6 months in a designated country within the last 12 months.
- In some cases, you may receive a request for new or additional documents from IRCC.
- Approval:
- Expect to receive an eTA or a request to submit your passport for a TRV.
- You'll receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction.
- Refusal: Learn more about the next steps on the study permit refusal webpage
What to expect after you apply → Watch Video
Study Permit Delays: Next Steps
If you are experiencing a delay, learn about your options.
Additional Resources
These steps provide general information that was accurate at the time of publication. For any advice on your specific situation, consult the International Student Specialist. For the most up-to-date immigration information, visit the official Canada.ca website.