• Most international students need to obtain a study permit before beginning their studies in Canada.
• Visit the IRCC website to determine if you need a study permit.
• Currently, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, international students must have a valid study permit or study permit approval to enter and study in Canada. For full information about COVID-19 travel exemptions, refer to the IRCC Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): International Students

• The time for IRCC to process a study permit application can take weeks or even months, so it is important to apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance (i.e., admission and study permit information letters via email) from PDA.
• Refer to the IRCC website to find the estimated processing time based on the location you submit your study permit application from. The estimated processing times do not include the time you need to complete your biometrics or medical exam (if required).

You must use your PDA study permit information document sent by the PDA Office of Registrar as your letter of acceptance for a study permit application.

• As a COVID-19 special measure, if you are in Canada as a visitor, you are allowed to apply online for a study permit. When you apply, you must follow the instructions for applying from outside of Canada. IRCC will process your application in the same amount of time as though you’d applied from your home country, outside of Canada.
• Refer to the IRCC website for detailed instructions.
• If you submit a study permit application online while your visitor status is valid, you can stay in Canada while your study permit application is being processed. However, you must not start studying until you receive your physical study permit.

• If you are coming to PDA from a high school, college, university, or language school in Canada, you can continue to use your study permit if it is still valid and you will start your PDA program within 150 days after you end your last program. However, you must notify IRCC that you have changed your institution to continue using your study permit for studying.
• You must extend your study permit at least 4-6 months before it expires in order to continue studying and update other IDs (e.g., BC MSP, SIN and driver’s license) in Canada.

• Refer to the IRCC website for detailed information about when and how to extend your study permit in Canada.
• If you want to submit an extension application more than 6 months before your study permit expires, be sure to include a brief letter of explanation to indicate the reason for an early extension.
• If your study permit expires while you have a study permit extension application under process, you can stay in Canada and continue studying until IRCC makes a decision on your application. During this time, you will have maintained status as long as you remain in Canada.
• If you are in Canada and your study permit expires before you submit an extension application, you must stop studying immediately. Please visit or contact us as soon as possible.

• Use the online tool to see if you need to provide biometrics.
• Use the check status tool to find out if your biometrics are still valid.
• Refer to the IRCC website for detailed information about biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) requirements. Exemptions may apply.
• If you are required to provide biometrics, make sure to follow the steps to give your biometrics. You will:
• Pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. (The biometrics fee is $85 CAD in addition to the application fee.)
• Receive a biometrics instruction letter from IRCC after an application is submitted.
• Use the instructions letter to book an appointment with an official biometrics collection service point to give your biometrics in person.
• Keep in mind that application processing time estimations do not include the time needed to complete biometrics.

• Most international students need to obtain one of these entry documents before travelling to Canada. US citizens travelling with a valid US passport do not need an eTA or a TRV.
• If you apply for a study permit outside Canada, you will be issued an entry document automatically upon study permit approval, if needed.
• If you apply for a study permit inside Canada, you will not automatically receive a new entry document.
• Detailed instructions and requirements for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) application are available on the IRCC website.
• Detailed instructions and requirements for a temporary resident visa (TRV) application are available on the IRCC website.

• Check working in Canada website.
• Full-time international students can work off-campus without a work permit:
• up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and
• full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break.
• To qualify, you must:

1. have a valid study permit,
2. be a full-time student,
3. be enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level or, in Quebec, a vocational program at the secondary level, and
4. be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration.
5. You must stop working on the day you no longer meet the eligibility requirements listed above (e.g., if you’re no longer a full-time student during an academic session).

Please see the full details of our refund policy HERE.