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If you’re beginning your studies at Laurier, renewing your documents or just have questions, we provide guidance on how to apply for or extend your study permit and any general questions you have. We’ll help you understand what documents you need, when to apply, and how to avoid common mistakes during the process.
A study permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), grants permission for temporary residence and study in Canada. If your study duration in Canada exceeds 6 months, it is crucial to maintain a valid study permit and seek extension before its expiration if additional time is needed to complete studies. It is your responsibility to ensure the validity of your study permit.
The study permits do not serve as travel documents. Upon approval of a study permit application outside Canada, most students receive either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), based on their citizenship, facilitating travel to Canada. US citizens are exempt from TRVs and eTAs.
For study permit extension applications within Canada requiring a TRV, a two-step process is necessary: first, applying for a study permit extension, followed by a separate TRV application upon approval of the extension. If an eTA is required for study permit extension, it is automatically issued.
Click here for information about inviting your parents from a visa-required location to Convocation.
The IRCC website directs most students outside Canada to submit a study permit application through the IRCC portal. You may apply through the IRCC secure account if you are applying for your spouse’s open work permit at the same time as your study permit as instructed by IRCC.
You can only apply by paper application if you have a disability which prevents you from applying online or hold an identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons.
To apply by paper:
Only US citizens or permanent residents, and residents of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon, can apply at the border.
If you are eligible for this option, follow the same steps as applying on paper to create your document checklist and bring your completed application form and supporting documents with you.
Be sure to check if you need medical exam, custodianship, or biometrics in advance.
The information below explains the different areas of IRCC forms and definitions of terms.
UCI: This stands for unique client identifier, which is also knows as the client ID. It is an eight-digit number that appears on your study permit (and work permit, if you have one).
DLI: This stands for Designed Learning Institute. Laurier is a DLI and our DLI number is O19395164307 (Note: the number starts with the letter O and not the number zero). You may be asked by IRCC to provide this number when you apply for a permit or a visa.
Document number: This appears on official immigration documents, like study permits. It is usually printed in black with a letter (an F indicates a study permit) followed by a nine-digit number.
Duration of expected study: When filling in this section, write the current date in the “from” field, and write the expected completion date of your studies in the “to” field. You can add 90 days to the expected completion date, as you can remain in Canada for 90 days after completing your study. You are also able to apply for your post-graduation work permit during the 90 days after your studies are complete.
Employment section: If you don’t have a job, you can write “student” under Current Activity/Occupation.
Question 2(c) - Background Information: If you have applied for a study permit, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or a work permit, you must report this to IRCC. Check the Yes box next to each document you have applied for, and list when you applied for each document in the box provided.
The documents required for your study permit application differ based on your country of citizenship and other considerations. Below are the documents you will need to submit with your study permit application:
Laurier will provide you with a letter of acceptance (LOA). Include the original or electronic copy of your letter with your study permit application.
If you have been conditionally accepted, you are obligated to undertake prerequisite courses. These may include English as a Second Language or French as a Second Language courses. Completion of these prerequisites is mandatory before commencing your primary study program.
In such instances, your study permit will only be issued for the duration of these courses plus one year. Upon acceptance into your primary program, you’ll need to apply for a new student permit to extend your stay as a student.
Once we receive confirmation that you have accepted your offer and paid your tuition deposit, we will begin the process for issuing you a PAL.
After you accept your offer, pay your tuition deposit, and receive a tuition deposit receipt from Laurier, you can expect a wait time of 7-10 business days. When your PAL is ready, it will be available in your Applicant Portal.
If you haven't received your PAL after 10 days from receiving your tuition deposit receipt, please contact us at chooselaurier@wlu.ca to check the on the status of your letter.
When your PAL is ready, it will be available in your Applicant Portal. After you receive your PAL, you will need to upload it in your document checklist as part of your study permit application.
Who doesn’t need a provincial attestation letter:
When applying for your study permit, you and each family member who comes with you to Canada must have:
It is essential to demonstrate your ability to financially support yourself and any accompanying family members during your stay in Canada.
Number of family members (including the applicant) |
Amount of funds required per year (not including tuition) |
1 |
CAN$20,635 |
2 |
CAN$25,690 |
3 |
CAN$31,583 |
4 |
CAN$38,346 |
5 |
CAN$43,492 |
6 |
CAN$49,051 |
7 |
CAN$54,611 |
If more than 7 people, each additional family member |
CAN$5,559 |
Depending on your specific circumstances, you may need one or more of the following documents:
Drafting a letter of explanation serves as an effective method to delineate supplementary factors or enclose additional documentation bolstering your application. It is pivotal to furnish an explanation and accompanying documents illustrating to the officer your strong ties to your home country and your commitment to departing Canada before the expiration of your authorized stay. Refer to the following guideline for insights on composing a letter of explanation.
Your letter of explanation may include:
Ensure to upload this document under "Client Information" within the Optional Documents section of your online checklist.
To address the purpose of your studies, write a detailed study plan that is concise, clear and genuine (see template below). This may be required by your visa office and could include specific points to address.
Upload this document under "Client Information" in the Optional Documents section of your online checklist if applying online.
When applying for a study permit, you may be asked to compose a "Study Plan" detailing your reasons for choosing to study in Canada, even if it is not explicitly requested. Below are the key points to address when drafting your study plan. You should prepare a concise study plan, limited to one page, which addresses the following questions and incorporates any additional pertinent information crucial for the processing of your application.
Conclude your study plan by summarizing your educational aspirations and expressing gratitude for the opportunity
You may also be asked to undergo:
If you were unable to submit all the necessary documents with your application, you can provide the missing documents through the following options:
In the event of a change in your residence or contact details such as address, telephone number, or any other information after your application submission, it is important that you provide an update to IRCC through the following link:
Update your application
Application status tracker(opens in a new tab) to get updates about your application. To create an account, you need your: unique client identifier (UCI) and application number.
If your application is approved, IRCC will send you a Letter of Introduction via email. It's essential to print and present this letter to the border services officer upon your entry into Canada. The border services officer will then issue your study permit, typically in the form of a paper document.
Please refrain from booking your travel until you have received your Letter of Introduction. Alternatively, if you must book travel in advance, ensure that your arrangements are flexible and can be changed or refunded if necessary.
Please see below the sample of Letter of Introduction:
Depending on your country of citizenship, you may require either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. If necessary, IRCC will issue the TRV or eTA once your study permit is approved.
Typically, once your study permit is approved, IRCC will reach out to you requesting your passport. Subsequently, you will be required to forward your passport to either your visa office or a Visa Application Centre (VAC). They will then affix your TRV (a sticker) onto a page within your passport.
Upon approval of your study permit, IRCC will automatically include your eTA number in your Letter of Introduction. No further action is needed from your end. You can verify the status of your eTA online.
check your eTA status online
For lawful permanent residents of the United States, it is important to carry a valid green card (or equivalent official proof of status in the U.S.) along with a valid passport from your country of nationality (or an equivalent document).
In the event of your application being refused, you will receive a letter from IRCC in your IRCC secure account detailing the reasons for the refusal.
Your application may be declined if you fail to provide:
Ensure that you obtain your study permit upon your initial entry into Canada at the airport.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
For further details and instructions, please visit the IRCC webiste:
Connect with International Student Support | Students - Wilfrid Laurier University (wlu.ca) on questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.
Contact Us:
Waterloo Campus
E:
laurierinternational@wlu.ca
T:
548.889.5591
Office Location: Arts Building 2A01
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Brantford Campus
E:
laurierinternational@wlu.ca
T:
548.889.5592
Office Location: One Market, OM 310