Study Permit

About Study Permits

A study permit is an official document issued by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) granting permission to foreign students to study temporarily in Canada.

It is your responsibility to renew your study permit if it expires before the completion of your studies. We conduct monthly workshops to provide information and assistance regarding study permit extensions. For more information, please contact our International Student Advisor.

Study permit & TRV

Please note that Study permits are not travel documents. If you apply for a study permit outside Canada and it is approved, most students will automatically be issued a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your country of citizenship, which allows you to travel to Canada. US citizens are exempt from TRVs and eTAs.

If you apply for a study permit extension inside Canada and require a TRV, it is a two-step process: you will first need to apply for a study permit extension, then after your extension is approved you must submit a separate application for a TRV. If you require an eTA when you extend your study permit, it will be issued automatically.

 

Who needs a study permit

  • Are you applying for a program at FDU that beyond 6 months?

    If yes, a study permit is required.

  • Are you studying as a visiting and exchange student at FDU for less than 6 months?

    If yes, a study permit is not required. However, if you plan to extend your study beyond 6 months or engage in work on/off campus, a study permit is necessary.

  • Some workers might be exempt from a study permit under a temporary policy ending on June 27, 2026. Please refer to IRCC policy for detailed information.

Applying for a Study Permit

As of January 22, 2024, new study permit applications now require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of British Columbia. The process for obtaining the PAL is anticipated to be in place by March 31, 2024. Please note that FDU Master’s students are exempt from the PAL requirement.

If you have received an offer for an undergraduate program at FDU that is not exempt from the PAL, we advise you not applying for a study permit until the process for obtaining the attestation letter has been finalized. However, you can start preparing your study permit application by gathering the required documents and drafting a study plan. We will provide updates on this matter as more information becomes available. For the latest updates, please refer to IRCC’s page.

For current students at FDU, the validity of your study permit and the application for study permit extension from inside Canada will not be impacted.

Documents Needed to Apply for a Study Permit
The following general documents will be required. Additional documents may be required depending on the visa office.

  • LOA is provided by FDU Vancouver Campus and serves as confirmation of your acceptance to the University. PAL is required only for new FDU undergraduate students. To determine if you need a PAL, please refer to the link.

  • A valid passport or travel document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it. It is recommended that you renew your passport in your home country if it is expiring within one year of arriving in Canada.

  • Canada Immigration requires students from certain countries to pass a medical exam and criminal history check, if applicable. Refer to Citizenship and Immigration – Medical Exams.

  • You must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who come with you while you are in Canada.

    You can prove your funds with

    • proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you’ve transferred money to Canada
    • a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
    • proof of a student or education loan from a bank
    • your bank statements for the past 4 months
    • a bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
    • proof you paid tuition and housing fees
    • a letter from the person or school giving you money, or
    • proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program

    As of January 1, 2024, the minimum cost-of-living financial requirement has increased. Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html#doc3 for more detailed information about your proof of funds to apply for a study permit.

How Much Does it Cost for a Study Permit?

The current processing fee is $150 per person and is paid when you submit an application for a study permit.

What Happens Next?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will meticulously review your application, and FDU will verify your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) within a 10-calendar-day timeframe. Upon approval of your study permit, you will receive a port of entry letter of introduction from IRCC, confirming your permission to study in Canada.

Please be aware that this letter is not your study permit. You need to bring this letter with you and show it to a border services officer when you arrive in Canada. You should also carry a copy of your letter of acceptance from the Vancouver Campus with you.