Enrollment Requirements for International Students
On January 22, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) announced a number of updates and measures to the International Student Program. A cap will be placed on the intake of outside Canada study permit applications, resulting in approximately 360,000 approved permits. The number allocated to British Columbia or SFU is not known at this time.
The following updates are highlighted into two parts for undergraduates and graduate students. Note that the information on this page is current as of February 2, 2024.
Undergraduate Students:
1. Beginning January 22, 2024, unless exempted, most international students must include an attestation letter with their outside Canada study permit applications.
2. Current students applying to extend or change the conditions of their study permits within Canada are exempt from having an attestation letter.
3. In the weeks ahead, spouses/common-law partners of undergraduate students will no longer qualify for open work permits. IRCC has yet to announce the implementation date.
Graduate Students:
1. Master’s and PhD students are exempt from the study permit intake cap and requirement of attestation letter for their study permit applications.
2. Starting on February 15, 2024, a longer, 3-year post-graduation work permit will be available to those who are graduating from a master’s degree program that is less than 2 years and who meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria. For undergraduate students and other short-term graduate level programs (e.g. graduate certificate/diploma), there are no changes to the eligibility criteria for the PGWP.
For more information about how the above updates may impact you, review our News and Updates section. We will update the page with new details as they become available.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires you to actively pursue your studies while at SFU. SFU is required to report on the enrollment status of international students twice a year.
Your enrollment at SFU affects your ability to work, study, and stay in Canada. To help you comply with the conditions of your study permit, review the information in this section carefully and contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist if you have any questions.
This information applies to international students enrolled at SFU's Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver campuses, and students enrolled in the Master of Digital Media Program at The Centre for Digital Media.
SFU operates on a trimester system with the calendar year divided into three main academic terms. The following terms make up an academic year:
- Fall Term: September – December
- Spring Term: January – April
- Summer Term: May – August
- Intersession Term: May – June
- Summer Session: July – August
Note: IRCC regulations refer to a "calendar year" (January – December) and not an "academic year" (September – August).
Studying and Working In Canada
Questions?
Contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.
All International Student Advisors, Immigration Specialists at SFU are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants and licensees of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Updates
The information on this site is changed as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updates the International Student Program and its requirements for institutions. See our news and updates section and the IRCC website.