Immigration Documents: After you Arrive
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced changes to the International Student Program starting January 1, 2026, including new rules for Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs).
i SFU exchange students who are studying under an exchange arrangement between their home institution and SFU, and who do not pay tuition fees to SFU, remain exempt from the PAL requirement.
For full details on PAL requirements and other updates, please review our 2026 PAL Requirement News Post.
Extending or Changing Conditions on your Study Permit
Your study permit must remain valid for the duration of your studies in Canada. If you will need to extend your study permit, we recommend that you submit your application for extension about 4 to 6 months in advance of expiration.
i Review our step-by-step study permit extension instruction guides on our website.
Processing times vary. Visit the IRCC website for current, estimated processing times. These processing times fluctuate throughout the year and are updated on a weekly basis.
You can only extend a study permit if you are physically inside Canada at the time of application.
As long as IRCC receives your study permit extension application before the expiration date of your current study permit, you will have maintained status (formerly known as implied status) to remain in Canada and continue studying (and working, if meeting the eligibility requirements) while you await processing, even if your study permit expires while you wait. For more information about maintained status, visit the resources below:
You may apply online via the IRCC website to extend your study permit and/or your dependant family members’ immigration documents together.
Is your passport going to expire soon?
It is important to note that a study permit cannot be issued beyond your passport expiration date. If your passport is about to expire, we recommend renewing it before applying for an extension. See Renew your passport for details.
In the event that you cannot renew your passport before the expiration of your current study permit, please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.
Do you have upcoming travel plans?
If you plan to travel abroad during a period when your study permit is about to expire, contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to discuss your options for a study permit extension and/or applying for a new study permit from outside Canada. We will help you to understand your options based on your specific circumstances so that you can make an informed decision.
Note: Your study permit will expire on the earlier of the following dates: the expiry date printed on your study permit or 90 days after you complete your studies.
i You can find more information on how to apply to extend your study permit by reading the handouts on our Instruction Guides page, or by visiting the IRCC website.
Visitors Applying for a Study Permit
If there is a possibility that you will extend your SFU exchange or study abroad from one term to 2 or 3 terms, we strongly recommend that you obtain a study permit before coming to Canada.
If you originally came to Canada as a visitor to study for one term at SFU, and your exchange or study abroad has since been extended beyond one term, you will need to apply for a study permit. Under R215(1)(f)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), you may apply for a study permit from within Canada. If you are in this situation, and considering extending your studies at SFU, please contact a SFU International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to discuss important immigration considerations.
Expired study permits and restoration of status
If your study permit has already expired and you did not apply to extend it before the expiry date, you may be eligible to apply to restore your status in Canada. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact a SFU International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist as soon as possible.