Enrolment Requirements for International Students
On November 6, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced several changes to the International Student Program for 2026:
- PAL Exemption: Starting January 1, 2026, incoming graduate students (Master’s or PhD) studying/attending at public institutions will be Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) exempt. Further details are available on IRCC's graduate student website. Applications submitted before January 1, 2026, must still include a valid PAL. Learn how to receive your SFU PAL.
- Faster Processing for Doctoral Students: PhD students and their accompanying family members applying from outside of Canada may qualify for expedited study permit processing, if they apply within the same application. Applications may still be subject to background checks, which may delay processing times.
- 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: IRCC has set a target of 155,000 new international student arrivals for 2026. This target applies to study permit applications made from outside Canada and does not include study permit extensions or in-Canada applications. Learn more about the 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap here.
- Life as a Graduate Student: Prepare yourself for life in Canada by learning about housing options, study costs, employment opportunities, and more.
We encourage students to monitor IRCC’s website for the most up-to-date information and will update our News and Updates page as additional details become available.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires you to actively pursue your studies while at SFU. SFU is required to report on the enrolment status of international students twice a year.
Your enrolment at SFU affects your ability to work, study, and stay in Canada. To help you comply with the conditions of your study permit, review the information in this section carefully and contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist if you have any questions.
This information applies to international students enrolled at SFU's Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver campuses, and students enrolled in the Master of Digital Media Program at The Centre for Digital Media.
SFU operates on a trimester system with the calendar year divided into three main academic terms. The following terms make up an academic year:
- Fall Term: September – December
- Spring Term: January – April
- Summer Term: May – August
- Intersession Term: May – June
- Summer Session: July – August
Note: IRCC regulations refer to a "calendar year" (January – December) and not an "academic year" (September – August).
Studying and Working In Canada
Questions?
Contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.
All International Student Advisors, Immigration Specialists at SFU are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants and licensees of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Updates
The information on this site is changed as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updates the International Student Program and its requirements for institutions. See our news and updates section and the IRCC website.