Study Permit (Outside Canada)

Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government department that handles immigration. You will be issued the permit upon entry to Canada by presenting your letter of invitation (LOI).

Do you need a study permit?

You need a study permit if you are admitted to the U of A to a program of study that is longer than six months.

• For an undergraduate or graduate program
• As an exchange student and you will be studying for longer than six months
• As a visiting student and you will be studying for longer than six months
• In an English or French as a second language program, and you plan to study for longer than six months

You do not need a study permit

• If the duration of your program of studies is six months or shorter and will be completed within the period of your stay authorized upon entry into Canada
• Your program is 100% online. If there is any in-person component, such as an exam or a lecture, a study permit is needed.
• You hold a work permit and applied for it on or before June 7, 2023. See eligibility

Find out if you need a study permit

Applying at A Port of Entry (POE)

Only available for citizens or permanent residents of the USA, Greenland, or St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Find out which documents you will need to apply

We advise applying for study permits online and entering Canada after your application gets approved to avoid any issues or delays with receiving a study permit at the Port of Entry.

The Letter of Acceptance verification process does not apply to study permit applications submitted and processed at the POE. If the CBSA officer at the POE has any concerns regarding your Offer of Admission/Letter of Acceptance, they may contact the University of Alberta directly to verify your acceptance.

Have the contact information for the Student Services Centre handy for verification at entry.

After You Apply: What to Expect

• Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL): If you have not done your biometrics within the last 10 years, you will receive a biometrics request.
• Immigration Medical Exam (IME): If you are applying from a country where a medical exam is required 
• Approval: You'll receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction.​ Expect to receive an eTA or a request to submit your passport for a TRV. 
• In some cases, you may receive a request for new or additional documents from IRCC.
• Refusal: You can reapply or request reconsideration.

If you have questions, contact an International Student Specialist by submitting a general inquiry through our service portal.

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Contact Us

These steps provide general information that was accurate at the time of publication. For any advice on your specific situation, consult the International Student Specialist. For the most up-to-date immigration information, visit the official Canada.ca website.

• Additional Resources
• IRCC > Study Permit
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
• Study Permit FAQs
• Study Permit Workshops