IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS: AFTER YOU ARRIVE
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has changes to the International Student Program starting January 1, 2026, including new rules for Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs).
Graduate students (Master鈥檚 or PhD) at public institutions will be starting January 1, 2026. In addition, PhD students and their accompanying family members may also qualify for , if they apply within the same application. Please note that applications may still be subject to background checks, which could affect processing times.
For full details on PAL requirements and other updates, please review our 2026 PAL Requirement News Post.
In this section, you'll find information on the process for extending your study permit and passport, as well as applying for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you plan to travel outside of Canada.
If your study permit was issued for less than the amount of time you will take to complete your degree, you must extend it before it expires. It is your responsibility to ensure that your documents (study permit and passport) remain valid during your studies in Canada, so make sure to keep track of all expiry dates to maintain your immigration status.
Transferring to 51社区黑料from FIC or another Canadian institution?
As of Nov. 8, 2024, if you transfer from FIC or another Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to SFU, you will need to apply and be approved for SFU鈥檚 study permit before studying at SFU.
As soon as you receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from SFU, you should apply for a new study permit. For more information on how to change schools, please visit our News and Updates page, review our instruction guide (Study Permit Extension - Incoming/New students in Canada) and the website.
Coming to 51社区黑料from a Canadian high school?
On June 24, 2025, IRCC provided regarding international high school students transitioning to post-secondary studies. Eligible high school students may begin their studies at 51社区黑料while their study permit extension application is being processed by IRCC.
As soon as you receive a LOA and PAL from SFU, you should apply for a new study permit. See High School Students in Canada for information.