US STUDENTS: APPLY AT 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.
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
Exchange Students
Note: Exchange students (students who are studying under an exchange arrangement between SFU and their home institution, and who pay tuition to their home institution), and students applying for study permits in the preschool, primary, and secondary levels are a few of those who are exempted from this requirement.
If you determine that you are PAL exempt, you will need to provide proof of the PAL exemption you fall under in your study permit application. Ensure you upload the document(s) under the "Proof of Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) Exception" section in your If you have any questions about this, contact a SFU International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.