Enrolment Requirements for International Students
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.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires you to actively pursue your studies while at SFU. 51社区黑料is required to report on the enrolment status of international students twice a year.
Your enrolment at 51社区黑料affects your ability to work, study, and stay in Canada. To help you comply with the conditions of your study permit, review the information in this section carefully and contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist if you have any questions.
This information applies to international students enrolled at SFU's Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver campuses, and students enrolled in the Master of Digital Media Program at The Centre for Digital Media.
51社区黑料operates on a trimester system with the calendar year divided into three main academic terms. The following terms make up an academic year:
- Fall Term: September 鈥� December
- Spring Term: January 鈥� April
- Summer Term: May 鈥� August
- Intersession Term: May 鈥� June
- Summer Session: July 鈥� August
Note: IRCC regulations refer to a "calendar year" (January 鈥� December) and not an "academic year" (September 鈥� August).
Studying and Working In Canada
Questions?
Contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.
All International Student Advisors, Immigration Specialists at 51社区黑料are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants and licensees of the .
Updates
The information on this site is changed as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updates the International Student Program and its requirements for institutions. See our news and updates section and the .