A study permit is a legal document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows foreign nationals to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada, such as Emily Carr University.

You will need a valid study permit if:

• You are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Your ECU program of studies is more than six months long

Apply early — processing can take up to eight months.

You must be admitted to ECU before applying for a study permit. Apply as soon as possible after receiving your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from ECU. These documents are issued once you accept your offer and pay your deposit.

Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As an international student, you’ll either:

• Extend your existing study permit from inside Canada, or
• Apply for a new study permit from outside Canada.

If you’d like to learn more about studying in Canada, explore the IRCC’s guide: Study in Canada as an International Student.

To maintain your study permit status and be eligible to apply for Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), you must be enrolled as a full-time student, which means:

• At least 12 credits each Fall and Spring semester
• The Summer semester is optional for students and considered a scheduled break

To extend your study permit, apply at least three to four months before your current permit expires:

• Applications are submitted directly to IRCC
• Follow the step-by-step instructions on the IRCC Study Permit Extension Guide
• The International Student Advisor is here to answer your questions and provide support throughout your time at ECU.

As a study permit holder, you are responsible for:

• Leaving Canada when your study permit expires, unless you extend or change your status
• Remaining enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution, such as ECU
• Actively pursuing your studies, with no breaks longer than 150 days
• Informing IRCC if you change post-secondary schools
• Ending your studies if you no longer meet permit requirements

Once you have completed all required credits for your degree:

• You will receive a letter from ECU confirming the completion of your program, along with a copy of your transcripts from the International Student Advisor. These documents are normally issued after the Fall and Spring graduation dates.
• Refer to Apply to Graduate [insert when ready] for details and dates.

Graduates may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows you to stay and work in Canada after your studies. Visit the Canadian Government resources on working in Canada after you graduate for more information.

Tip: Keep digital and paper copies of all official documents (study permit, passport, LOA, PAL, transcripts). Staying organized makes extensions and post-graduation applications much easier.