The information on this page has been reviewed by International Student Advisors on September 8, 2025.
51社区黑料Policies and Supports
Can I start my program online from my home country if my visa is delayed?
The International Services for Students (ISS) office is not directly involved in the administration of academic programs at SFU. If you would like to begin your program remotely from outside of Canada, please ensure you check with your 51社区黑料academic department first to see if this is an option.
From the immigration perspective, while it may be possible to start your program remotely without having a valid study permit, please note that you will need a valid study permit for all in-Canada components of your program of study. 鈥�
Additionally, there are several important considerations you should keep in mind to make an informed decision on whether to start studying remotely.
Study permit approval is not guaranteed.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for assessing study permit applications and determines whether your application is approved.
- There is no guarantee that a study permit application will be approved. Please carefully consider your own comfort level in starting your program remotely without securing a study permit first.鈥�
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) considerations
- Studying online from outside of Canada may impact a future post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application.
- Distance learning: As per IRCC requirements, studies completed before a study permit application is received or studies completed outside of Canada after August 31, 2024, are not counted towards the overall .
- To be eligible for a PGWP, students cannot complete over 50% of their study program through .
- You must also meet other
Remote learning may not be available for all students.
- See our FAQ Who should I contact about course planning and/or the availability of remote courses? for additional information.
- Consider course availability, time zone differences, and your adaptability to online learning.
Stay informed about key academic deadlines such as course add/drop dates, tuition payments, and refund policies.
锔忊灐锔� Undergraduate Students: Dates and Deadlines
鉃★笍 Graduate Students: Dates and Deadlines
You may be eligible to defer your admission to a future term. Visit鈥痶he 51社区黑料website鈥痜or more information about the admission deferral process and important deadlines.