Immigration Documents
On January 24, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updates regarding who is required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in their study permit application. SFU Exchange students who are are studying under an exchange arrangement between their home institution and SFU, and who do not pay tuition fees to SFU, are now exempt from the PAL requirement. Exchange students who apply for a study permit are required to provide proof of the they fall under in their application to IRCC. If you have any questions, contact a SFU International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.
Select the category below, which corresponds to the number of terms you will be studying at SFU, for more information about what you will need to study in Canada.
US Students: 1 term exchange
If you will be studying at SFU for 1 term (less than 6 months), you can travel to Canada as a visitor and study without a study permit. Alternatively, you may apply for a study permit, if you wish to do so. Please see the for more information.
Travelling to Canada as a visitor to study without a study permit
If you are a citizen of the United States, or you have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and hold valid status in the U.S., you do not require a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. Visit the for more information.
Visit the for more information about entry requirements for Canada, including the documents you should carry when travelling to Canada to demonstrate your identity and immigration status in the U.S.
Visit the SFU website for more information about what to expect at the Canadian border and what documents to carry when travelling to Canada.
Applying for a study permit
See below under "US Students: 2 & 3 term exchange" for information about how to apply for a study permit.
US Students: 2 & 3 term exchange
You can apply for a study permit online via the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Visit Study Permit and immigration documents application for more information.
Who is eligible
If you meet one of the following caegories, you also have the option of submitting your study permit application upon your arrival at a Canadian Port of Entry (e.g., your airport of arrival or land crossing into Canada):
- a citizen or permanent resident of the United States (US)
- someone who has lawfully been admitted to the US for permanent residence
- a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon
Application at the port of entry
Starting January 22, 2025, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is required for most study permit applications, including those applying for graduate programs or changing schools (e.g., high school to post-secondary or transferring DLIs).
For more information on PAL exemptions, visit the . For PAL related inquiries, visit our PAL FAQ page. If a PAL is required for a study permit application, you also need to carry it even if the study permit application is processed at a port of entry.
What to prepare
Fill out the IRCC in advance and prepare the required documentation to present upon arrival. You will need:
- proof of citizenship
- a secondary piece of official identification
- your official letter of acceptance (also known as an admission letter or admission offer) from SFU
- the application fee
Visit the for more information about making a study permit application upon entering Canada.
If you are not a US citizen, in most cases you will be required to give your biometrics upon arrival at the port of entry to Canada when making your study permit application. Visit the to find out if you will need to give your biometrics.
When you arrive at the port of entry
Tell the officer that you want a study permit. The officer will check
- your passport or other travel document
- that you meet the eligibility requirements and
- that your medical certificate is valid, if you need one