Initial Study Permit (Outside Canada)

Visa office instructions

You need to follow your home country visa office instructions, in case you need to provide other documents

To get the visa office instruction documents, you need to follow the steps:

1. Read the instruction guide 5269
2. Select a country/territory -> Read the local visa office instructions.

Decide what IRCC account to use to submit your application

As of 8:30 am ET on January 22, 2024, most students must include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study with their study permit application.

In most cases, if you apply without a PAL, your application will be returned with fees. Learn more about the provincial attestation letter.

IRCC has different accounts for some applications. Students may need a different account to apply, depending on the application type, whether they are applying on their own or with family members, and whether they are applying inside or outside Canada. 

IRCC Portal is recommended if the applicant is outside Canada and applying online for a study permit on their own (without family members). Study permit: How to apply - Canada.ca

Please use the helpful tool to determine what option is relevant to your specific situation. Study permit: How to apply - Canada.ca

IRCC Secure account is recommended in the following situations:

• study permits (only if you’re applying with a family member who is applying for a work permit)
• extending work and study permits
• change your school (if you have a study permit)
• change conditions on your work permit
• work permits
• change conditions on your work permit
• visitor records (to stay in Canada longer)
• some visitor visas (get visitor visa instructions for your situation)

For the full list, please refer to: Sign in to your IRCC secure account - Canada.ca

Please use the helpful tool to determine what option is relevant to your specific situation. Study permit: How to apply - Canada.ca

Student Direct Stream

Some countries are eligible for faster processing times through Student Direct Stream (SDS). SDS applicants are required to meet certain criteria, so ensure to review the requirements carefully before applying. 

Sign in to your IRCC secure account

Sign in to your IRCC secure account to apply for your initial study permit. Below are the options

• Option 1: Sign-in to GCkey 
• Option 2: Sign-in with your online Canadian banking information
• Option 3: Create a new GCkey. If you cannot remember your previous account username and password
• Review IRCC's frequently asked questions about sign-in

Having trouble signing in? The IRCC technical help page provides more info to troubleshoot your problem.

Sign in to the IRCC portal

This is a new portal that allows international student to apply for the study permit from outside Canada. Sign in to the IRCC portal. 

Letter of acceptance

Before applying for a study permit, you must first get a letter of acceptance (LOA) from Royal Roads University. If you're ready to apply to us, start your online application now or visit the RRU admission page to learn more about the admission requirements for your program of interest. Once you have been accepted to an RRU program and received your LOA, you can apply for a study permit. 

When completing your study permit application, you will submit your LOA via the IRCC portal. Royal Roads must verify the LOA information to ensure that it matches our most recent records. It is important to ensure that your most up-to-date LOA is uploaded to avoid having your verification cancelled due to any recent status changes (deferrals, etc.). Learn more about the verification process on this IRCC page.  

Visit the IRCC page to learn more about the letter of acceptance: conditional acceptance and prerequisite course.

Sample Letter of Acceptance: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) strongly encourages DLIs to use the new template provided for the letter of acceptance (PDF, 73.68KB). It contains all of the necessary information and will facilitate the processing of study permit applications.

Provincial Attestation Letter

As of January 22, 2024, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is required for some study permit applications submitted from outside Canada.  

Who needs a PAL: 

• Newly admitted students to undergraduate, graduate certificate, or graduate diploma programs longer than six months  

• Some PAL-exempt programs if a prerequisite course is required (e.g., university academic preparation and master’s degree program)

• Blended programs longer than six months that are not masters or doctoral programs 

Who does not require a PAL: 

• Masters and doctoral degree students  

• Current RRU students with a study permit applying for a study permit extension 

• Exchange students coming to Canada for less than six months 

• Refer to this IRCC page for a full list of exceptions  

Learn more about the PAL requirements on this IRCC page.  

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q: What is a provincial attestation letter (PAL)? 

The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is a new requirement for international students in Canada. It confirms that a student’s study permit matches the province’s limit and is within Canada’s study permit cap.  

Q: How will I receive my PAL? 

If you are a newly admitted student who requires a PAL and are applying for a study permit from outside of Canada, you will be emailed a PAL by the Admissions Office along with your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) once the tuition deposit is received by RRU. Ensure your personal information in your MYAdmin account is correct before accepting your offer since PALs cannot be reissued.  

Q: What do I do with the PAL once I receive it?  

You can apply for a study permit once your PAL and LOA documents are received from RRU.  

Q: Is a PAL required if I need to take a prerequisite course before taking a PAL-exempt program?

Yes. In some cases, a prerequisite course may be required as a condition of admission before taking the primary program of study. A PAL is required if a program has a prerequisite, even if the primary program is PAL-exempt (e.g., a master’s degree program). 

Q: Do I need a PAL if applying for a study permit extension? 

No, students with a valid study permit who are applying for a study permit extension are exempt from submitting a PAL with their application.  

Q: Does the PAL expire? 

An expiry date will be listed on the PAL, and if the PAL is still valid, you can use the same PAL to resubmit a study permit application. 

Q: Is a PAL required for blended programs? 

Yes, if the blended program you have been admitted to is longer than six months and is not a PAL-exempt program (e.g., a master's or doctoral degree), you will need a PAL for your study permit application.  

Q: Do I require a PAL if I will be attending RRU as an exchange student? 

A PAL is not required for students coming to Canada for a short-term exchange program less than six months and are exempt from needing a study permit. 

Proof of identity

You will need a valid passport and passport-size photos to apply for the study permit. Read IRCC page for more information.

IRCC may issue you a study permit for a shorter validity period because your passport or travel document will expire before the end of your planned stay.

Proof of financial support

You must prove that you can support yourself and the family members accompanying you in Canada. 

DOCUMENTS

• proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if you've transferred money to Canada
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
• proof of a student or education loan from a bank
• your bank statements for the past 4 months
• a bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
• proof you paid tuition and housing fees
• a letter from the person or school giving you money or
• proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program

Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if you've transferred money to Canada

Learn how to open a bank account in Canada. If you have any further questions about the types of bank accounts, you can read the IRCC page.

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution

Please note that if you are applying through SDS, you must have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$20,635. Learn more about the GIC on the IRCC page

A letter from the person:

Please read your home country visa office instructions

Minimum funds needed to support yourself as a student (and family members who come with you):

We advise students to show $20,635 CAN plus the first-year tuition fee and travel costs. If you are travelling with your family members, please add $5,055 for the first family member and $5,893 for the second family member.

Example:

If you and 2 family members want to come to a province (other than Quebec) for a year, you will need $31,583 for living expenses.

Read the IRCC page for more information on each additional family member.

A letter of explanation

You need to write a letter of explanation to provide useful information to the visa officer to understand you and your goals. 

• Why do you wish to study in Canada in the program for which you have been accepted?
• What is your overall educational goal?
• Why are you not pursuing a similar program in your country of residence or of citizenship?
• What research have you done into studies in your country of residence or of citizenship?
• How will this program enhance your employment opportunities in your country of residence or of citizenship?
• What ties do you have to your country of residence or of citizenship?
• In the case of a minor applicant, what are your reasons for studying in Canada? What is your parents’ or guardians’ immigration status in their current country of residence?
• Provide details of your education history – dates when the course started and ended, the name and address of the school, the course taken, qualification, degree or certificate awarded for the course
• Further clarifications or explanations on your documents such as proof of funds or explain how long the English as a second language (ESL) component will take to complete English as a second language(ESL) requirement and how much it will cost.

Medical Exam

You may need a medical exam if you want to come to Canada. This is to make sure you’re not inadmissible for medical reasons.

Learn more about the IRCC medical exam

Biometrics

You may need to give your fingerprints and photo for study permit application. Read the IRCC instructions on how to give the Biometrics exam

1. Start your application

To start your application, visit the IRCC Portal website: https://portal-portail.apps.cic.gc.ca/

If you don't have an account, click "sign up" to create one.

If you're asked for an invite code, request one here: https://www.cic.gc.ca/visit-visiter/en/get-account-ircc-portal.

If you don't have an invite code, apply through the IRCC Secure Account instead: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html.

You have 60 days from when you start your application to submit a complete application.

2. Guide to Answer Online Questions

Once you have logged in, you will need to answer a series of questions about yourself and your planned studies in Canada.

• I want to apply for a: STUDY Permit
• What exactly do you want to apply for: A study permit for more than 6 months
• Tell us more about what you will do in Canada - The purpose of travel is to study in Canada. I have a letter of Acceptance from Designated Learning Institution <Number>, to study <Program Name> from <Program Start and End Date>. The program delivery <on-campus/online/blended>
• Program start date: Shown in your letter of acceptance.
• Program end date: 90 days after your anticipated program completion date
• Enter Canada date: Approximate date you will enter Canada.
• Leave Canada date: 90 days after your anticipated program completion date.
• Unique Client Identifier (UCI, also known as Client ID): If you are applying to come to Canada for the first time, you will not yet have a UCI and can leave this blank.
• National identity document: Not all countries issue a national identity document. If you have one, provide your information.
• Countries or territories of residence: First, list your current country or territory of residence. Second, mention any other country or territory you lived in for more than 6 months (during the past five years)
• Type of Study Permit - Select: I have a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution.
• Designated Learning Institution (DLI) – Check the Letter of Acceptance (it starts with the alphabet letter O, not zero)
• Name of the School and Address: Check the letter of Acceptance.
• For how long you will be studying in Canada -From: Shown on your letter of acceptance & To: 90 days after your anticipated program completion date.
• Tuition fee: Check your letter of acceptance.
• Room and board (Canadian dollars): Estimate the total fees you anticipate for food and housing for the duration of the program.
• Funds available for stay in Canada (Canadian dollars): Write the total amount of funds you can prove in your "funds (proof)" document upload. IRCC's guidance on proof of financial support: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html#doc3
• Do you want to apply for a work permit to participate in a co-op program? Answer "Yes" if work is an essential part of your program. No – If you program doesn’t have a coop or internship option.
• Student Direct Stream: Do you have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of at least $20,635? Select "No" if you don't have a GIC of at least $20,635 CAD. Select "Yes" if you have a GIC of at least $20,635 CAD.
• For activities, security and medical questions – It’s your responsibility to provide the details to IRCC.

3. Upload supporting documents

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• Click on each document name to read more about requirements.
• Check visa office instructions from your home country for additional document.

4. Submit and pay the application fee

1. Once you have successfully uploaded your document, your status will change from "Not uploaded" to "Uploaded."
2. Click "Save and Continue" to proceed to the next step.
3. Pay the application fees using a credit or debit card, then click "Checkout" to submit your application.
4. If you need to go back to the documentation checklist, click "Cancel."
5. Check the IRCC processing time at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html.