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Study Permit Application Information

Applying for a study permit is an important step in your journey to study in Canada and this page is designed to support you through the process.

Here you will find:

  • Guidance on how to apply for a study permit 
  • Answers to frequently asked questions 
  • Explanation of any updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) 
  • Tips for travel, re-entry, and maintaining your status in Canada 

We recommend starting to prepare your application as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance. Taking the time to prepare a complete and well-documented application, while also applying promptly, can help you avoid delays due to processing times. 

What's New?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) information may change without notice and it is your responsibility to refer to IRCC for the most up to date information and to be sure you meet the eligibility criteria. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.  

High school students to university can begin studies on maintained status 

  • High school students already holding valid study permits in Canada may begin their university program while waiting for approval of a new study permit, provided they apply for the new permit before their current permit expires. This is called “maintained status”. The IRCC web page has been updated to reflect this clarification and can be found here under the tab “If you’re moving from secondary to post-secondary levels.” 

Transfer students from other DLIs can benefit from expedited processing 

  • IRCC has implemented IT change that allows students transferring DLIs to self-identify at the time of application, via a drop-down menu, as of early August. This will allow their application to be identified and efficiently processed. IRCC will also continue to prioritize any study permit extensions applications received between May 7 and early August.  

Financial Requirements increases as of September 1, 2025 

  • In January 2024, to better prepare international students for life in Canada, IRCC increased the financial requirement they need to meet, based on Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), which is updated annually each Spring. 
  • Based on the latest revision to LICO by Statistics Canada, the financial requirement for international students will be adjusted to $22,895 for a single study permit applicant, up from $20,635. This change will be effective starting September 1, 2025. 
  • Additional details are now available online – Study permit: Proof of financial support.

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Requirements

Under the reformed International Student Program, most international students seeking to study at the post-secondary level will require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to apply for a study permit. There are limited exceptions. Please refer to the IRCC website for a full list of applicants who meet PAL exemptions.

You don’t need a PAL or TAL when applying for a study permit if: 

  • You’re starting a master’s or doctoral degree program at York University (effective Jan 1, 2026). 
  • You’re an exchange student under an official agreement and don’t pay tuition to York. 
  • You’ve received a Global Affairs Canada scholarship. 
  • You’re in Canada and:  
    • Applying for a study permit extension at York at the same level. 
    • Have a temporary resident permit (6+ months). 
    • Are a protected person or eligible for permanent residence (humanitarian grounds, public policy, or as a spouse/common-law partner). 

Not sure? Use the PAL Requirement Checker to find out if you need one.

Newly admitted students (including transfer students from another designated learning institution) 

Newly admitted international students applying from outside of Canada require a PAL to apply for a study permit.  

  • Undergraduate students: Most undergraduate students will need to pay a $2000.00 non-refundable tuition fee deposit to obtain a PAL and access course enrolment. This payment will be applied to your tuition fee – it is not an additional fee.  Your PAL is available in MyFile shortly after your $2000.00 deposit is received. This process is automated, and there is no need to contact York University regarding PAL issuance. 
  • Note: *Note: Under the regulations of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, you are eligible for our domestic tuition rate if you are: a person who is officially recognized and documented by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to be a Protected Person or a Convention Refugee. 
  • If you are a Protected Person or a Convention Refugee, the domestic deposit fee of $300 is required after you begin enrolling in courses. 
  • Graduate students: *NEW* Effective January 1, 2026, graduate students coming to York University for a Master's or PhD degree will no longer need a Provincial Attestation Letter when applying for a study permit. Until then, most graduate students will receive the PAL after accepting their offer, and in some programs (e.g. Schulich, Osgoode) after a tuition deposit is paid. PALs are usually issued within 2–5 business days and uploaded to MyFile. Program-specific requirements may affect PAL issuance and timing. Please contact the Graduate Program Director or Graduate Program Assistance for your program for assistance. 
  • School of Continuing Studies: Please contact The School of Continuing Studies for instructions on how to obtain the PAL.  

Current students 

Current international students in Canada who are applying to extend their study permit to attend the same institution, at the same level of study do not need a PAL. Instead, you will need to provide an explanation letter confirming that you are PAL exempt. This letter is not issued by the university and can be written by you. Please review York International’s study permit extension resource guide for a template explanation letter.  

Use the PAL Requirement Checker to find out if you need one.

Please visit the IRCC website for a full list of PAL exemptions. You need to provide proof that you meet one of the above exceptions if you don’t provide a PAL/TAL with your study permit application. Please review York International’s study permit extension resource guide for a proof of PAL exemption letter template. 

For full information on PALs, visit IRCC's website.

Yes, students moving from high school to post-secondary or between post-secondary institutions, are required to apply for a new study permit and submit a PAL with their application.

Admitted Undergraduate International Students:

To obtain a PAL, admitted undergraduate international students must:

  1. Accept their offer of admission to York
  2. Pay the non-refundable* enrolment deposit of $2000 CAD**
  3. Download the Attestation Letter on MyFile.

Your PAL will not be immediately available after you pay your new student deposit. Processing times will vary depending on the volume of letters we are processing. Please check your MyFile for updates.

You cannot pay your deposit using any scholarships or awards you receive from York as these will be applied to your student account in September.

Visit the Admitted Students website for additional instructions on how to pay your acceptance deposit.

If your Study Permit application is refused, you can receive a full refund of your deposit. Please contact the Student Support & Advising Team at contactssa@yorku.ca.

Once you have paid your new student deposit, processing times will vary depending on the volume of letters we are processing. We recommend you accept your offer and pay your deposit as soon as you can.

If your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) was issued before January 21, 2025, it has now expired and you will need to obtain a new PAL. PALs issued between January 22, 2025 and December 31, 2025 are valid until the end of the year 2025.

To get your Provincial Attestation Letter, please follow the steps below. If you currently already have a valid study permit and will be starting a new program, you will not need a PAL to extend your current permit.

Steps to get a PAL for School of Continuing Studies students:

  1. Accept your offer to the School of Continuing Studies.
  2. Pay your deposit to secure your spot in the program. Paying your deposit allows you to be registered and will ensure that you are issued a PAL, if eligible.
  3. The PAL will become available in MyFile within 3-5 business days following the successful receipt of your deposit.

Please be advised that a student number and date of birth are required to log into MyFile. Once logged into MyFile, please navigate to the “Admissions Documents” link on the lefthand sidebar. If a PAL is available, there will be a link listed there for download. If there is no link to the Provincial Attestation Letter within the “Admissions Documents” tab, then the letter has not yet been processed by the Ministry and is not yet available — please check back within 24-72 hours.

Please email regscs@yorku.ca if requesting for PAL re-issuance due to visa denial and/or for any additional questions.

Study Permit Application - General Information 

Important: We recommend you check your personal checklist (generated based on your answers in the online eligibility questionnaire) for these and any other required documents. Please also remember check the country-specific application requirements provided by IRCC for additional documents that may be required or recommended.

Note: There is a $150 CAD processing fee.

Document Type:Document information:
Application for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM1294)Look for the title at the top of the application, or the code at the bottom-left corner of each page.
Letter of acceptance (for new students)You can find it in MyFile. It Should include your:Full nameYork University's DLI numberStudent numberExpected start and end dates of the program
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of OntarioYou must submit a PAL with your study permit application if applicable. Please review the FAQs above for information about whether you require a PAL or not. 
Proof of financial support Study permit applicants will need to prove access to funds to cover a minimum of annual tuition plus at least $20,635 CAD for your first year’s living expenses. Minimum living expenses will increase to $22,895 for a single applicant, starting September 1, 2025. Additional funds are required if you are bringing a spouse/partner and/or children. The IRCC explains further on their website. Details about York University fees and expenses can be found on Tuition and Fees page. IRCC expects you to be able to show access to enough funds to pay for at least one year of studies, and to be convinced you will still have access to funds for subsequent years of study and residence in Canada.  Examples of financial proof documents include but not limit to:Funds in your account or bank statement(s) with your name. Four to six months of bank statements are recommended.Funds coming from York University or other institutional sources with a letter detailing funding.Proof of employment for yourself/your parents/sponsorIf your parents are supporting you, include a letter from your parents and proof of their financial resources. Proof of business ownership for yourself, your parents or sponsorYou can make a deposit of any amount using one of the two methods listed on the SFS website, and a payment receipt will be added to your MyFile in 4-5 working days from the payment receipt.
Copies of your passport or travel document Including the biographical data page and all pages with visas, stamps or markings (your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected date of your arrival to Canada).If you have a brand new passport, you can provide copies of both your new and old passports, but provide the new passport first, and indicate "New Passport" on the file name.
Passport-style photograph Taken within the last six months following IRCC recommendations, noting that the frame size specifications do not apply for digital photos.
Letter of explanation including your study plan and proof of ties to your country of citizenshipA letter of explanation (also called a study plan, or statement of purpose, or letter of intent) is essential, and in some cases, required by the visa office. It helps the visa officer to understand you and your goals. It explains why you want to study in Canada, why this step in your education journey is logical, and how this program will help you achieve your personal and professional goals. It also provides you with an opportunity to highlight your financial capacity and demonstrate your understanding of your responsibilities as a student. Please review York International’s study permit application resource guide for a letter of explanation template. A letter of explanation and any other additional documents can be uploaded in the “Client Information” field of the Optional Documents section. Only one file can be uploaded, but it can be multiple pages. 
You may need other documents, including (but not limited to):
Co-op letterMost programs at York University do not include a mandatory co-op component in the first year of studies, unless otherwise indicated in the acceptance letter. You should answer “no” to the question “Is work an essential component of your studies?” If your acceptance letter indicates a mandatory co-op component, you should contact the academic advisors of your faculty for further information about obtaining a co-op letter. 
Proof of a Custodian Students 16 and under will require proof of a custodian. Students between 17 and 18 may be asked for proof.
Additional Documents Immigration officers may ask you for additional documentation to make a decision about your application. If they ask you to attach the documents to your online application, you must login to your account, upload the documents and re-submit the application. IRCC provides specific details about how to do so. Failure to do so will likely result in a refusal of your application.  

Visit our Immigration Application Resources page for more info on submitting a study permit application.

Apply online using the IRCC's Online Application. Make sure to check current processing times and submit your application as soon as possible.

Please check the Initial Study Permit Application Webinar and Resource section on the YI website. This resource is to help guide newly admitted international students who are applying for a study permit for the first time.

Start by reviewing IRCC’s instruction guide for this application.

Admitted students also have access to the immigration advising hosted by York International's Student Advisors and Immigration Specialists. Please check the YI calendar for upcoming dates. 

Other considerations for your application:

Considerationinformation:
Medical Examination You must have an immigration medical exam if you have been in a ‘designated’ country for at least 6 of the past 12 months. You will also require one if you are planning to work in a health-care setting, primary/secondary school setting, or other jobs where the protection of public health is important.IRCC provides details about who requires immigration medical exams, who can offer them, and more. If you require one, you can book the appointment before submitting your application, or you can do so once requested by IRCC. It is usually a good idea to do so in advance. This is called an upfront medical exam and is mandatory if applying through the Student Direct Stream (see below). If you had an immigration medical exam within the 12 months prior to applying for your study permit, attach proof (i.e. a copy of your medical receipt). 
Biometrics Required by most temporary resident applicants (excluding US citizens) unless they have already submitted them to IRCC in the past 10 years. IRCC provides additional details about requirements and exemptions.If you have previously given biometrics, but they will expire before you finish your studies, you should plan to give them again. IRCC has a tool to check the status of your biometrics.If you are required to submit biometrics, you must pay an $85 CAD collection fee. After submitting the application, you will be sent a Biometric Instruction Letter that will guide you through booking a biometric collection appointment at a Visa Application Centre or Application Service Centre (ASC).

If you need to notify IRCC about a change regarding your application, you can use their web form. 

If you wish to track the status of your application, you can create a special IRCC “tracker account” to do so (note: this is not the same account where you submitted the online application). 

Even if you already have a visa or travel authorization that may allow you to travel to Canada, we usually recommend waiting outside Canada for the study permit to be approved, because you are not generally eligible to begin studying until the study permit has been issued. 

If your application is approved, the Canadian visa office serving the country where you submitted your application will issue you an approval letter, known as a Port of Entry Letter (POE Letter) of a Letter of Introduction, and an entry visa or an eTA (if applicable). Do not book travel to Canada until you’ve received your Letter of Introduction. Present the letter to the border officer when you enter Canada to get the hard copy of your study permit.  

If you require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV, also known as an entry or visitor visa), you will be asked to submit your passport so that the visa officer can affix the visa into it. You do not need to make a separate application.  

If you require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), you don’t have to submit your passport. An eTA will be issued electronically and associated with your passport number. Your eTA number and expiry date will be included in the Letter of Introduction.  

Find more information about entering Canada or check out our Arriving at the Canadian Border Pre-Arrival Webinar

If you decide to change schools after your study permit for York University has been approved, but before you travel to Canada, you must re-apply for a new study permit.

If you change schools after arriving in Canada, you will need to apply for a new study permit and receive an approval before you can begin your studies at the new school. You will need a new PAL for this application.

Please visit the IRCC page for details on changing schools. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Study Permit Application Questions

Please review the information about Initial Study Permit applications our Immigration Application Resources page first and complete the application to the best of your ability, while making note of any questions that you have. The immigration advising team at York International hosts regular Study Permit Application Webinars for new students who have paid their enrolment deposit throughout the year. Bring your questions to one of these sessions, where you can get more tips and have your questions answered by one of our licensed Immigration Specialists. All available sessions are listed on the York International Events Calendar. 

Make sure to pay your enrolment deposit as soon as possible to get an invitation to our study permit webinars.

You should still apply for your study permit, even if your offer of acceptance is conditional. In your application, include a clear explanation of how you plan to meet the conditions of your admission, when you expect to fulfill these conditions, i.e., the date you will submit your official transcript or proof of language proficiency to York University, and what documents you will provide to meet these requirements. Unconditional offers are generally not issued, and your original letter of acceptance will not be re-issued after the conditions are cleared.

Estimated processing times give an idea of how long an application could take to be processed. Please be sure to apply well in advance of your program start date, monitor the status of your application closely, and respond to any request for additional information from IRCC in time, to avoid processing delays. If your application has not been processed beyond the normal processing times, you can use IRCC Application Tracker to review the status of your application or contact IRCC through web form .  

York University is in communication with IRCC on issues affecting internationals students at an institutional level, but we cannot intervene to speed up study permit/visa applications for individual students.   

Apply for your study permit as soon as you have the letter of acceptance, the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), and all other required documents ready. You should apply well in advance of your program start date to avoid processing delays but also be sure that your application is thorough and complete to minimize the risk of refusal. 

Generally, you must apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. Only citizens and permanent residents of the United States and residents of Greenland or St. Pierre et Miquelon can apply when entering Canada.  

You can check the estimated study permit application processing time for applications submitted from outside of Canada.  

If you applied through the in-Canada application process, and your previous study permit was still valid at the time of your application, you can remain in Canada under maintained status.  

Students transitioning from high school to post-secondary education in Canada may begin their post-secondary studies while their study permit extension is still in process, if they have a valid study permit or are on maintained status. 

Students transferring from another DLI to York must wait for their new study permit to be approved to begin studies. IRCC is prioritizing applications for students transferring between post-secondary DLIs and has committed to finalizing all outstanding applications in this category at the earliest possibility. 

If you are in Canada, you can contact IRCC  through their in-Canada call centre (1-888-242-2100) or through their web form. 

If you are outside Canada, you can contact IRCC through their web form. 

Each section will only allow one file to be uploaded. You will need to use software to merge the documents into a single file that is an acceptable format (ie. PDF) and fits within the file size limits. 

IRCC provides instructions in their Help Centre.

IRCC has confirmed that the mailing address on your PAL can be different than the address you are using on your study permit application. You do not need a new PAL if the addresses don't match. As each Designated Learning Institution only has a limited number of PALs, York will not issue more than one PAL per student.

An exception may be made for students who receive a study permit refusal.

Study Permit Refusals

Yes, a new PAL is required if you have received a refusal and wish to re-apply. 

Please follow the steps below to request a new PAL and to receive additional application support: 

  1. Fill out the study permit refusal advising request form. 
  2. If you do not receive a response after 5 business days, please attend a virtual drop-in advising session to speak with one of our International Student Advisors or send us a follow-up email at iadvisor@yorku.ca. Find schedule and zoom links of virtual drop-in advising sessions by searching “international student advising” on Events Calendar. 

After submitting the study permit refusal advising request form, an International Student Advisors (ISA) will review your case and follow up with you. Due to high demand, 1:1 appointments are not guaranteed and are offered only when necessary. Depending on your situation, the ISA may provide a written assessment with general guidance, or invite you to a 1:1 appointment if appropriate. 

You can also attend our Study Permit Refusals Webinar, a group session covering common reasons for refusal, tips to strengthen your reapplication and how to avoid common mistakes. To find the schedule and zoom link, search “study permit refusal” on Events Calendar.

To proceed with withdrawing your offer and requesting a deposit refund, here are the steps you should follow

1. Withdraw Your Offer

Please notify the admissions office or the appropriate program contact in writing that you will not be attending. If you’ve already enrolled in courses, be sure to drop them through the Registration and Enrolment Module (REM) as soon as possible. Not attending classes or failing to show up does not mean you are automatically withdrawn from your courses. To be eligible for a 100% tuition refund for the Fall 2025 term, you must drop your courses by September 10, 2025. 

2. Cancel Housing Reservation:

If you have reserved housing and will not be arriving, you must notify Housing & Conference Services. Any incoming resident who does not check into their room by the first day of classes and has not notified Housing & Conference Services of their late arrival will lose their room reservation and will incur a no-show fee of $500 to their student account. 

3. Request a Refund

  • You can submit a refund request through the Student Financial Services – Refunds page. If you need any assistance, the best person to contact is the Student Support & Advising at contactssa@yorku.ca.  
  • If your study permit was refused, you may be eligible for a full refund of your deposit. You’ll need to upload a copy of the refusal letter. 
  • If you are withdrawing for personal reasons, refund eligibility will depend on the timing and the refund schedule. The deposit is generally non-refundable unless exceptional circumstances apply. 

New Undergrad Student Deposit Questions

If your study permit application is refused, York will return your enrolment deposit to you. You'll be asked to provide a copy of your refusal letter to York before your deposit is returned. For assistance with refund, please contact Student Support & Advising

Scholarships are applied to a student’s account in September when they begin their studies. The deposit is required shortly after you accept your offer. As a result, the scholarship cannot be used to pay your enrolment deposit.

All admitted undergraduate international students must pay the non-refundable $2000 CAD enrolment deposit. We cannot issue a PAL without this deposit.

The enrolment deposit must be paid shortly after you accept your offer while scholarships are applied to your student account in September. You will not be able to use any York scholarships or awards to pay the deposit.

Most new students will need a PAL.

However, even if you do not require a PAL, you will still be required to pay the deposit. All new students must pay a non-refundable deposit when they accept their offer to York so they can enrol in courses. Please ensure to pay your deposit as soon as possible after receiving your offer of admission.

Some international students are eligible to pay domestic fees. This includes those who have a work permit or who are dependents of a work permit holder. You can check the Academic Tuition Fees webpage for eligibility and to apply. 

Only students who have already been approved to pay domestic fees are able to pay the $300 deposit. If you still need a PAL, please contact the International Student Advisors at iadvisor@yorku.ca.  

If you have applied for a tuition category change but not yet heard back from York, please pay the non-refundable $2000 deposit. This amount will be applied to your tuition fee. 

International graduate students in programs (e.g. Schulich, Osgoode) that require a deposit for PAL should contact the graduate program office for assistance.

Current International Student Questions

If you need to extend your study permit, check to see if York is listed as your Designated Learning Institution on your current study permit. 

If York is listed on your study permit and you will not be changing study levels, i.e. you're in undergraduate studies and remaining in undergraduate studies, you do not need a PAL. 

If York is not listed on your study permit and/or you will be changing study levels, i.e. going from undergraduate to a Master's degree, you will be required to submit a PAL with your extension application. 

Current international students may need a NEW study permit for a variety of reasons. Please contact the International Student Advisors at iadvisor@yorku.ca if you are unsure. We also recommend you speak with an academic advisor about your course selections or if you have deferred exams or grades. 

Incoming Exchange & Visiting Student Questions

Students on exchange to York University do NOT require a PAL.

For any additional questions, please contact exchange@yorku.ca

Incoming exchange students to York University are NOT required to pay a tuition deposit. Students should proceed to accept their offer, and disregard the prompt to pay a deposit.

Students on exchange to York University for one semester (less than 6 months) typically do not require a study permit. Please refer to the following Government of Canada website and refer to section “Short-term courses [R188(1)(c)]”.

Students who will be studying for two semesters (more than 6 months) at York University WILL require a study permit. Once you receive the admission letter, please proceed to apply for the study permit to Canada.

Whether you’re coming to York for one semester or two, you may still need an entry visa or eTA. Visit the York International Entry Visa webpage for more information.

Global Affairs Canada Scholarship recipients are admitted to York University as either exchange students or international visiting research trainees (IVRT). Students coming to York on exchange will not require a PAL.  

Students coming under the IVRT program will need to complete the application process and further information will be provided by the immigration team about visas/permits required to enter Canada. Further questions about the Global Affairs Canada Scholarship can be directed Ashley Laracy, Associate Director, Global Learning at alaracy@yorku.ca. 

Additional Support

More information can be found on Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Study Permits website, and the official news release.

Rest assured that York will email you important information and updates as soon as they are available, to guide you through this process. Please check this FAQs page often for any additional updates.

Check out our Immigration Application Resources page as a first step. If your questions are not answered there, join a virtual drop-in advising to speak with an International Student Advisor. Find schedule here. 

International students who pay the enrolment deposit will also be invited to a Study Permit Application Webinar for New Students. To ensure you get an invitation, please pay your enrolment deposit as soon as you can.