IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS: BEFORE 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).
Graduate students (Master’s or PhD) at public institutions will be exempt from the PAL requirement starting January 1, 2026. In addition, PhD students and their accompanying family members may also qualify for expedited processing, if they apply within the same application. Please note that applications may still be subject to background checks, which could affect processing times.
For full details on PAL requirements and other updates, please review our 2026 PAL Requirement News Post.
Before you arrive in Canada, you must obtain the correct immigration document that accurately reflects your student status. Apply early to ensure your application is processed in time.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada introduced biometrics requirements in 2018. Most people who apply for a study permit or visitor visa are now required to provide biometrics as part of the application.
Studying in Canada for less than 6 months?
If you are here for one term or less as an exchange, visiting or ESL student, you may enter Canada as a visitor and study at SFU without a study permit (visit the IRCC website for more information).
If there is a possibility that your studies will extend to longer than 6 months, we recommend that you obtain a study permit before coming to Canada. Holding a valid study permit also permits you to accept on-campus employment as long as you meet the eligibility requirements to work on campus.
Please note that depending on your nationality or citizenship, you may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), even if a study permit is not required for your studies. Most travelers require a TRV or eTA to enter Canada. Visit the IRCC website to find out if you need a TRV or eTA.
Studying in Canada for 6 months or more?
If you will be studying at SFU for more than 6 months, you must apply, and be approved, for a SFU study permit before you can begin your studies (unless you meet an exception).
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.
For the most current, up-to-date information on studying in Canada, visit the Government of Canada website.
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 the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
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.