Study Permit Applications

Applying for an initial study permit, study permit extensions, and study permit amendments (requesting on/off campus work authorization)

Study Permit Applications

Important: Effective January 22, 2024, the Government of Canada has amended its requirements for study permit applications.

Note: Currently, Masters Degree students are not required to acquire a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to support their study permit applications. While this exemption will be updated in the near future and effective date has not yet been given.

Applying for an initial Study Permit (Outside Canada)

Study Permit Extension (Inside Canada)

Note: Recordings can only be accessed by members of the Niagara University community (i.e current students and alumni). Students are required to use their NU email and Purple Pass credentials to access Immigration Insight recordings via the Zoom Single Sign-On (SSO) login portal.

Alumni will have access to their NU email accounts up to one year post graduation. For help accessing your NU email account, visit our New Students webpage or contact the IT Help Desk.

Applying for an initial Study Permit
(Outside Canada)

When can I apply?

We strongly recommend that all International Students may apply for their initial study permit upon receiving their Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the University, to allow sufficient time for processing.
Study permit applications must be submitted from outside Canada and approved before students embark on their journey to Canada for their studies. While all students may apply for a study permit via the standard processing stream, some students may be eligible to apply via the express Student Direct Stream.
Students have the option to apply for an initial study permit online or via paper application. However, we strongly recommend the online application process for its convenience and the ability to seamlessly track applications.
For US citizens, permanent residents of the United States, residents of Greenland, and residents of St. Pierre and Miquelon, there’s an alternative option to apply for a study permit at the Port of Entry (POE) upon arrival in Canada. It’s essential to ensure you possess all necessary documents for assessment at the border.

Getting the right documents

Document requirements may vary depending on a student’s local visa application center (VAC) and are outlined on the Document Checklist for your application stream (e.g. standard processing stream, or student direct stream). For all online applications, the checklist becomes available after completing the application questionnaire.
Please note that some students may need to undergo an IRCC-approved medical examination and submit biometric information as part of their initial study permit application.
For more comprehensive information, please refer to Guide 5269 – Applying for a study permit from outside of Canada.
Additionally, minor children under the age of 18 must designate a custodian, a responsible adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, to facilitate their studies in Canada. Please refer to studying in Canada as a minor for more information.

International Student Pre-Arrival Form

We strongly encourage applicants to monitor the status of their study permit application routinely, to ensure a smooth and successful start to their studies here at Niagara University in Ontario.
Students are encouraged to update the International Student Pre-arrival Form at their earliest convenience for transitional support.
Note: Students must use the login credentials (email and password) used to apply to Niagara University to access the form.

Applying for a Study Permit Extension
(Inside Canada)

When can I apply?

If a student’s academic program and/or audit will extend beyond their current study permit’s expiration date, the student must apply for a study permit extension before the document expires.
While IRCC suggests applying for a study permit extension at least 30 days prior to the document’s expiration date, we strongly advise students to apply 3 to 4 months in advance to ensure sufficient time for processing.
While students have the option to apply for an initial study permit either online or via paper application, we strongly recommend the online application process for its convenience and the ability to seamlessly track applications.

Getting the right documents

Document requirements may vary depending on a student’s local visa application center (VAC) and are outlined on the Document Checklist for your application stream (e.g. standard processing stream, or student direct stream). For all online applications, the checklist becomes available after completing the application questionnaire.
Current students are required to provide Verification of Enrollment (VOE) letter to support their application for a study permit extension. VOE letters may be requested via Self Service. Please note: letter requests typically take up to 5 business days to be processed and are issued via Student Records.
Please note that some students may need to undergo an IRCC-approved medical examination and submit biometric information as part of their initial study permit application.

Amending a Study Permit

If your study permit was issued with an error made by IRCC, you should apply to amend the study permit as soon as possible.

For example: If you are eligible to work in Canada, but the wording on your study permit states you “may not work” or “may not accept employment”, you will need to amend your study permit to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and begin working in Canada.

Amendment applications may only be submitted through paper-based applications. The amendment application form may be found on the IRCC website.

Study Permit Applications