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.

Applying for a Study Permit

As of January 22, 2025, new study permit applications for all programs at FDU Vancouver require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of British Columbia. Instructions to download your PAL will be sent to you along with notice of your Letter of Acceptance, after you pay the non-refundable tuition deposit.
For the latest updates, please refer to IRCC’s page.

Effective from May 2025, international students changing schools in Canada are required to apply for and receive a new Study Permit before beginning their studies at the new school.

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.

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