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International programs & student supports

Study permits

Most international students need a study permit to study in Canada. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) . 

It is important to apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from UVic. Check IRCC's  to find out how long it can take to process your application.

Notice: IRCC announces changes to Canada's international student program

In 2024 and 2025, the Government of Canada announced several measures intended to protect the integrity of Canada's international student program. These measures include new documentation requirements for most study permit applications, and new requirements for students inside Canada.

We will update this page and our IRCC updates: Frequently Asked Questions page as more information is made available. In the meantime, please contact an International Student Adviser if you have questions about your study permit.

Learn more about the changes

Application documents

Letter of acceptance

You will need to provide a letter of acceptance (LOA) from UVic as part of your study permit application.

If you are an undergraduate student:

  • you will receive an admission letter and a letter of acceptance via email from UVic Undergraduate Admissions after you have been accepted to UVic
  • these 2 letters need to be included in your study permit application as your letter of acceptance
  • if you have been admitted to a at the Division of Continuing Studies, contact admsadmin@uvic.ca to request a letter of acceptance for your study permit application

If you are a graduate student:

  • you will receive an admission letter and a letter of acceptance via email from UVic Graduate Admissions and Records after you accept your offer
  • these 2 letters need to be included in your study permit application as your letter of acceptance

PLEASE NOTE: After you submit your study permit application, IRCC will send your letter of acceptance to UVic for verification. Please do not alter the information in your UVic documents in any way, as UVic will not be able to verify their authenticity if the information does not match our records.

Provincial attestation letter (PAL)

Most study permit applicants require a provincial attestation letter (PAL) as part of their study permit application, unless exempt. For more information, including a full list of PAL exemptions, visit the .

If you are an undergraduate student:

  • you will receive your PAL via email from UVic Undergraduate Admissions after UVic has received your acceptance deposit
  • if you have questions about the PAL process, email admsadmin@uvic.ca

If you are a graduate student:

  • as of January 22, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. EST, master's and doctoral students must submit a provincial attestation letter (PAL) with their study permit applications
    • to request a PAL, contact UVic Graduate Admissions and Records (GARO) at garo@uvic.ca
  • if you have been admitted to a graduate certificate or graduate diploma program, contact the International Centre for Students at icsinfo@uvic.ca for guidance on the appropriate immigration document for your studies in Canada
    • depending on the structure and delivery mode of your program, a study permit may or may not be required
    • if a study permit is required, an International Student Adviser will help you request a PAL from UVic Graduate Admissions and Records
  • if you have been admitted to UVic as a graduate visiting research student (GVRS), contact the International Centre for Students at icsinfo@uvic.ca for guidance on the appropriate immigration document for your visit
    • depending on the details of your visit, you may require a study permit or a work permit
    • if a study permit is required, the ICS Immigration Consultant will help you request a PAL from UVic Graduate Admissions and Records

If you have been admitted to a non-credit program in the Division of Continuing Studies and have questions about the PAL process, contact uvcsimmigration@uvic.ca.

All documents submitted to IRCC must be in English or French. If your documents are in another language, refer to .

Distance learning and blended programs

If your program includes distance learning (online) components, it’s important to be aware that this may impact your eligibility for a study permit and/or a post-graduation work permit.

Study permits for distance learning

Online-only programs

Programs that are delivered entirely online are not normally eligible for a study permit. These programs can be completed from outside Canada.

Programs with both online and in-person components

As per , a study permit (and co-op work permit, if applicable) should only be issued for the duration of the in-Canada portion of your program. 

  • If your overall program of study (including both online and in-person components) is six months or less, a study permit is not required and you can enter Canada as a visitor to complete the in-Canada portion. However, if the in-Canada portion includes a work component such as a co-op, practicum or internship, a study permit and co-op work permit will be required for the in-Canada portion.
  • If your overall course or program of study is longer than six months, you are required to have a study permit (and co-op work permit if applicable) for the in-Canada portion, even if the in-Canada portion is less than six months. 

If you have any questions about study permit eligibility for distance learning or hybrid programs, contact an International Student Adviser.

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) impacts

For information about how distance learning impacts your eligibility for a PGWP, review the Post-graduation work permit section of our Working in Canada page.

Apply online

Study permit applications must be submitted online unless you are .

Follow IRCC's instructions to . 

  • depending on your situation you may be directed to apply via either the IRCC secure account or the IRCC portal. We recommend using the , as the IRCC portal will be closed to study permit applicants as of March 25, 2025.

Apply at a port of entry

Most students should travel to Canada only after they receive their study permit approval.

Visit the to see if you qualify to apply for a study permit at a port of entry (POE) (e.g., your airport of arrival, sea or land border crossing into Canada).

  • if you apply for a study permit at a POE, your application will be processed by a border services officer

Apply from within Canada

If you are already in Canada as a visitor, please connect with an International Student Adviser to discuss your options to apply for a study permit. 

After you apply

  1. If your application is approved, you will receive a (also known as a study permit approval letter or letter of introduction). 
    • a POE letter is not a study permit, it is proof that your study permit application is approved
  2. You must show your POE letter to a Canadian border services officer and ask for your study permit to be issued.
    • if you are already in Canada, you will need to leave the country to reach a POE

You may also need to provide .

Maintain your documents

You are required to maintain your documents and comply with your study permit conditions, which include actively pursuing studies in Canada and making reasonable progress toward completing your program. Learn more about:

Information on this page has been reviewed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors in compliance with the Government of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Information can change without notice. For the most current information, visit .