Instruction Guides
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.
Due to ongoing regulatory changes by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the information and handouts below may be updated frequently as information is released. Check this page often for up to date information.
Please Note: The below information is only applicable to current international students at SFU. While we do our best to ensure that information provided is accurate and current, please be aware that these are not legal documents and all information provided is subject to change at any time. Please refer to the individual guides above to see when the information was last updated.
For updated policies and legal information, it is your sole responsibility to refer to the and , , or other official direct sources, as applicable. If you have any questions or concerns, please check with an .
Refer to the , the , as well as SFU's international student news website outlining recent updates.
Visas and Study Permits
Study Permit Extension
- Study Permit Extension - Current 51社区黑料students

- Study Permit Extension - Incoming/New students in Canada

- Instruction Guide: Study Permit Extension Applications
- all students - Study Permit Extension: Proof of Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Exemption - Current 51社区黑料students and students transferring to 51社区黑料to study in a graduate degree program (Master's or PhD)

Information for Families
Medical Insurance in Canada
MSP & Benefits
Other Topics
Tax, Tenancies, Volunteering & more
- Canadian Tax Information Sheet

- Residential Tenancy Law in BC:
Employment and Work Permits
Work On/Off Campus & more
- Working On and Off Campus

- Self-employment, entrepreneurship, and starting a business as an international student in British Columbia

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
- Post-Graduation Work Permit

- Instruction Guide: Post-Graduation Work Permit Applications

- Application Timeline: Post-Graduation Work Permit

- Post-Graduation Work Permit: New Requirements Diagram (November 2024)

- Letter of Explanation

- Working After Graduation (webpage)
- Video guides for PGWP application (video)