Immigration Documents
On January 22, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) announced a number of updates and measures to the International Student Program. As of 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024, most new post-secondary students applying for a study permit are required to include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) in their study permit application. For more information read below and visit our News and Updates page.
Select the category below, which corresponds to the number of terms you will be studying at SFU, for more information about what you will need to study in Canada.
US Students: 1 term exchange
If you will be studying at SFU for 1 term (less than 6 months), you can travel to Canada as a visitor and study without a study permit.
If you are a citizen of the United States, or you have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and hold valid status in the U.S., you do not require a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. Visit the IRCC website for more information.
Visit the IRCC website for more information about entry requirements for Canada, including the documents you should carry when travelling to Canada to demonstrate your identity and immigration status in the U.S.
Visit the SFU website for more information about what to expect at the Canadian border and what documents to carry when travelling to Canada.
US Students: 2 & 3 term exchange
You can apply for a study permit online via the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Visit the SFU website for more information about how to submit a study permit application online.
You also have the option of submitting your study permit application upon your arrival at a Canadian Port of Entry (e.g. your airport of arrival or land crossing into Canada) if you are:
- a national or permanent resident of the United States (US)
- someone who has lawfully been admitted to the US for permanent residence
- a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon
Please review the information below carefully if you will be applying for a study permit at the port of entry:
As of 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024, unless exempted*, most new post-secondary students are required to include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they will be studying in their study permit application.
* Graduate students in master's or doctoral degree programs are exempt from the PAL requirement. Learn more about the PAL exemptions here.
It is important that you carefully consider your options and whether to apply at the port of entry or online. If you are planning to apply for a study permit at the port of entry, we advise speaking with an SFU International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist prior to doing so.
Application at the port of entry
Fill out the IRCC application form in advance and prepare the required documentation to present upon arrival. You will need proof of citizenship, a secondary piece of official identification, your official letter of acceptance (also known as an admission letter or admission offer) from SFU, the application fee and proof of sufficient funds. Visit the IRCC website for more information about making a study permit application upon entering Canada.
If you are not a US citizen, in most cases you will be required to give your biometrics upon arrival at the port of entry to Canada when making your study permit application. Visit the IRCC website to find out if you will need to give your biometrics.