On January 24, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced updates regarding who is required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in their study permit application.  SFU Exchange students who are are studying under an exchange arrangement between their home institution and SFU, and who do not pay tuition fees to SFU, are now exempt from the PAL requirement.  Exchange students who apply for a study permit are required to provide proof of the PAL exemption they fall under in their application to IRCC.  If you have any questions, contact a SFU International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.

In-Person Exchange Students

This website contains general information and resources related to policies, procedures, and application processes for exchange students at Simon Fraser University.  Please read below for more information about the Canadian immigration documents that you will need to study at SFU during your exchange term/terms. You can then review the linked pages to the right of this text (under 'BEFORE YOU ARRIVE CHECKLIST') for more information.

If you will come to SFU for a one-term exchange

In accordance with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidelines, if you are here for one term or less as an exchange student, you may enter Canada as a visitor and study at SFU without a study permit

Depending on your country of citizenship(s), you may need to apply for a temporary resident visa/TRV (also known as a visitor visa) or an eTA to travel to Canada.  To see whether you require a TRV or an eTA visit the IRCC website. 

Alternatively, you may apply for a study permit, even though one is not required to study at SFU for one term.  Please see the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for more information. 

If you will come to SFU for a two or three-term exchange

If you will be studying at SFU for more than 6 months, you must apply for, and be approved for, a study permit before you can begin your studies. 

If you require a temporary resident visa (TRV) or eTA to travel to Canada, this will be issued when your outside Canada study permit application is provisionally approved. 

Canadian entry requirements are subject to change without notice. For the most current, up-to-date information on travelling to Canada, visit the  Government of Canada website. For updates and information about immigration applications (e.g. study permits, work permits, visas), entry requirements to Canada, work eligibility, and medical insurance, you may also refer to the

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