IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS: AFTER YOU ARRIVE
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.
In this section, you'll find information on the process for extending your study permit and passport, as well as applying for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you plan to travel outside of Canada.
If your study permit was issued for less than the amount of time you will take to complete your degree, you must extend it before it expires. It is your responsibility to ensure that your documents (study permit and passport) remain valid during your studies in Canada, so make sure to keep track of all expiry dates to maintain your immigration status.
Transferring to SFU from FIC or another Canadian institution?
As of Nov. 8, 2024, if you transfer from FIC or another Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to SFU, you will need to apply and be approved for SFU’s study permit before studying at SFU.
As soon as you receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from SFU, you should apply for a new study permit. For more information on how to change schools, please visit our News and Updates page, review our instruction guide (Study Permit Extension - Incoming/New students in Canada) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Coming to SFU from a Canadian high school?
On June 24, 2025, IRCC provided further clarification regarding international high school students transitioning to post-secondary studies. Eligible high school students may begin their studies at SFU while their study permit extension application is being processed by IRCC.
As soon as you receive a LOA and PAL from SFU, you should apply for a new study permit. See High School Students in Canada for information.