Study Permits

Getting a permit can take several months, so be sure to begin the process as soon as you can.

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Who needs to apply?

You will need to apply for a 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.

When to apply

You must be admitted to ECU and have received your letter of admission from ECU before you can apply for a study permit.

As of January 22,2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that most international undergraduate students outside of Canada applying for a new study permit will now also require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the Province of British Columbia.

Some students are exempt from the PAL, such as master’s degree or students extending their study permit inside Canada.

Once you have accepted your ECU offer to study and have paid your deposit, you will receive a PAL and can then start the process of applying for a study permit.

For International students outside of Canada:

• You can apply for your study permit as soon as you are admitted to ECU, have received your ECU letter of admission and, if you are an undergraduate student, have received your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).

For International students inside Canada:

• You can apply for your study permit as soon as you are admitted to ECU and have received your ECU letter of admission.
• If your current study permit expires before the Fall Semester, please apply for study permit extension or contact the International Student Advisor as soon as possible.

How to apply

Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government department that handles immigration.

As an international student, you’ll either need to extend your existing study permit from inside of Canada, or apply for a new study permit. Please read the full details at the Government of Canada IRCC website.

If you are applying for a new study permit from outside of Canada, you will need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) if you are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program.

If you are extending your study permit from inside of Canada before it becomes invalid, you do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). You can confirm that you’re exempt from the PAL on the IRCC website.

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a medical exam or you may need to provide biometric information in addition to supporting documentation.

International undergraduate students outside Canada

If you are applying for a new study permit from outside of Canada, you need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). To apply for your study permit:

Step 1: Accept your offer of admission from ECU and pay your deposit.

Step 2: ECU will then send you your Provincial Attestation Letter in about three business days. Check your email account that ECU has on record to get your Provincial Attestation Letter.

Step 3: Download your Letter of Admission and Provincial Attestation Letter. You will need both your Letter of Admission and your Provincial Attestation Letter in your study permit application.

Step 4: Visit Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and follow the steps to apply.

International graduate students outside Canada

Step 1: Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit.

Step 2: Download your Letter of Admission.

Step 3: Visit Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and follow the steps to apply.

International students inside Canada

If you are extending your study permit from inside of Canada before it becomes invalid, you do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter. You can confirm that you’re exempt from the PAL on the IRCC website.

Step 1: Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit.

Step 2: Download your Letter of Admission.

Step 3. Visit Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and follow the steps to extend your study permit to attend ECU.