Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Student Services

International Student Advising and Programs

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ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS: STUDYING AND WORKING IN CANADA

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.  

Although your study permit allows you to study part time (i.e. you are still considered to be "actively pursuing studies" if enrolled part time), part-time enrolment will impact your ability to work on or off campus. It may also affect your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist well in advance if you plan to enroll part time during your program.

Undergraduate Students

SFU does not require undergraduate students to enroll full time, and you do not need to request the University’s permission to study part time. However, part-time enrolment can impact your legal ability to work in Canada.

We also recommend that you consult with the relevant department/s at SFU to discuss any potential implications of part-time enrolment when it comes to your financial aid eligibility, ability to live in Residence, academic planning, and/or any other considerations unrelated to immigration.

From an immigration perspective, as an undergraduate student you may study part time in the Summer term without any impact on your study permit or post-graduation work permit eligibility. Similarly, studying part time in Summer will not impact your on- or off-campus work eligibility, as long as you enroll full time for both the Spring and Fall terms in the same calendar year (see Regularly Scheduled Break for more information). 

If you choose to study part time in the Fall or Spring term:

  • You will not be eligible to work on or off campus until you resume full-time enrolment.
    • Summer can not be considered a scheduled break if you study part time in the term immediately before or after the Summer term. For more information, see Regularly Scheduled Break.
  • Studying part time in the Fall and/or Spring term may impact your ability to obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). IRCC policy requires you to have studied full time in all academic terms (Fall and Spring for undergraduate students) throughout your program in order to qualify for a PGWP.
  • Part-time enrolment in Fall and/or Spring will not impact your study permit as long as you are continuing to actively pursue studies.

Note: You may be a part-time student in your final term of studies without any negative impact on your ability to work or your Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility, provided you were continuously enrolled full time in all other required terms (i.e. Fall and Spring terms, for undergraduate students at SFU). See Working On Campus and Working Off Campus for details.

Graduate Students

If you are a graduate student and wish to study part time, please note:

  • You will not be eligible to work on or off campus until you resume full-time enrolment. 
  • Studying part time may impact your ability to obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). IRCC policy requires you to have studied full time in all academic terms (Fall and Spring for undergraduate students) throughout your program in order to qualify for a PGWP.