Important New Updates from IRCC
Provincial Attestation letters (PAL) for new international undergraduate students, admitted to begin studies in 2024:
As of January 22, 2024, study permit applications will require an attestation letter from the Ontario provincial government, in addition to the letter of acceptance from U of T. IRCC will return any application received on or after January 22, 2024, without an PAL, unless you’re exempt.
To receive an attestation letter (PAL), you will need to do three things:
- accept your offer;
- pay the admission deposit; and
- submit the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Confirmation Form.
You will be able to access the PAL Confirmation Form through the Offer Page on the Join U of T Applicant Portal after you have accepted an offer and paid the admission deposit. You will receive an email notification when your PAL is available. You can then download it through your Offer Page on the Join U of T Applicant Portal(external link).
For further information about PAL, please visit: International Student Study Permits - Future Students. University of Toronto | University of Toronto (utoronto.ca)
If you are a current U of T student, your study permit extension application in Canada will not be impacted and is exempt from the PAL requirement. However if you are a returning student and have to apply for your study permit outside Canada because your current study permit has expired, you must submit the PAL along with the letter of enrolment for your application outside Canada
Who doesn’t need a PAL?
- master’s or doctoral degree students
- in-Canada study permit and work permit holders (includes current students and high school students in Canada applying for an extension)
- in-Canada visiting or exchange students
- in-Canada family members of study permit or work permit holders
- preschool, primary school or secondary school students
- students whose study permit application was received before 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024
Further information and full list of PAL exemption can be found here.
New Cost-of-living financial requirement:
As of January 1, 2024, the minimum cost-of-living requirement has increased from $10,000 to $20,635 for a single applicant, in addition to the 1st year tuition fees and travel costs. The cost-of-living will be adjusted each year to keep up with Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off (LICO).
Apply for your Study Permit
If you have received an offer of admission to the University of Toronto, you must apply for your study permit from outside Canada before travelling to Canada to study. Your Study permit may allow you to work on and off-campus when you are a full-time registered student.
Coming to U of T from a Canadian High School?
If you are moving from a Canadian high school to the University and have a valid study permit, you don’t need to change or apply for a new study permit. However, if your study permit is about to expire, you have to apply to extend it 30 to 60 days prior to the expiry date of the permit. You cannot attend classes with an expired study permit unless you apply to renew it before it expires.
Changing from a Canadian High School (Secondary) to Post-Secondary (University)
If you are moving from a Canadian high school to the University and have a valid study permit, you don’t need to change or apply for a new study permit. However, if your study permit is about to expire, you have to extend your study permit inside Canada 2 to 3 months prior to the expiry date. You cannot attend classes with an expired study permit unless you apply to extend it before it expires.
Besides, if you want to be able to work while you study, you must apply to change the conditions of your study permit.
Changing your post-secondary institution if you are outside Canada:
If you change your institution before coming to Canada and you don’t inform IRCC, you won’t be allowed to board your flight.
If your application is still in progress, you have to inform IRCC by submitting a new letter of acceptance using the IRCC web form.
If your application has been approved and you change your institution, you must submit a new study permit application with a new letter of acceptance and pay all the fees for the new application.
Changing your post-secondary institution if you are inside Canada:
If you are in Canada and have been studying at another university or college in Canada before joining UTSC (not another U of T campus), you have to change your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on your IRCC account.
What You Need to Know - Initial Study Permit
You may submit an application package for a study permit by:
If you apply online, you will answer a questionnaire, create a personal check list code, sign up/log into MYCIC account and automatically see a list of the required application forms and documents you have to provide.
You may apply on paper only if you are an applicant requiring accommodations for a disability.
If you are applying on paper, make sure you complete the document checklist, application form, and supporting documents. The instruction guide provides assistance with how to fill out the form and submit supporting documents.
Depending on your citizenship or where you live, you may need a temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic Travel Authorization, as well as a study permit. If you are from one of the designated countries, when you apply for a study permit, a visa officer will issue a TRV or e-TA along with your study permit. You do not need to apply separately for a TRV or eTA.
Important documents for a study permit application are listed on CIC website. In addition to the documents listed on CIC, depending on your citizenship, you may have to provide additional information/documents (such as General Education and Employment form, family information, biometrics) when you apply for your study permit.
Apply early. Check the processing times by the visa office outside Canada where you submit your application. If your application is approved, you will be issued a TRV in your passport or an eTA (depending on your country of citizenship) and a Letter of Introduction. Your study permit will be issued at the border when you arrive in Canada.
$150
- Application form: Application for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM1294)
- UCI (if applicable): also known as “Client ID” appears on your study and work permit if you already have one. If not, leave it blank
- Designated Learning Institution (DLI) #: O19332746152 Please note that DLI# begins with the letter “O”. Applicants are required to indicate this number a the study permit application forms.
- Valid passport: If your passport will be expiring during your first year of study, renew it before applying for a study permit.
- Proof of means of financial support - You'll need to show you can cover the cost of one year in Canada including school tuition, plus CAD $ 20,635 (for living expenses), by submitting a bank statement, savings account passbook, bank draft, or other proof that indicates you have sufficient funds. If a family member or an institution is providing you with the money, include their letter of support along with the proof of sufficient funds in their names. You need to provide proof of an additional funds for each dependent accompanying you to Canada.
- Letter of Acceptance - Letter of acceptance is issued by University of Toronto on official letterhead accompanied by “Additional Information to be attached to Offer of Admission letter to be submitted to: Canadian Embassy/Consulate Immigration Section”. The letter shows the amount of your tuition fees, the anticipated starting date, and the length of the program.
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): As of Jan 22, 2024, new study permit applications require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of Ontario. A process is expected to be in place by Mar 31, 2024. (Exceptions apply). Please don’t submit your study permit application till PAL is provided to you.
- Medical Exam (if applicable). If you require a medical exam, wait for instructions from the visa office after you have submitted your application or undergo your medical exam before you submit your application. Your own doctor cannot perform the medical exam. You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians.
- Proof of custodianship (if applicable)* Notarized custodian declaration forms signed by parents and a custodian in Canada.
Students younger than 17 years of age who come to Canada to study and who are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian must be cared for by a responsible adult in Canada. This person is known as a custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of at least 19 years of age.
In some cases, a custodian may also be required for students between 17 and 18 years of age. This will be at the discretion of the visa officer. If you need one, a visa officer will contact you. Legal arrangements must be made to give the custodian in Canada permission to act in place of a parent. Please see the "Studying in Canada - Minors" page for more information and required forms.
No UTSC staff member (ISC, Residence, etc.) may be your custodian. It is your responsibility to find a custodian who can be an extended family member, family friend, or business associate living in Ontario. Alternatively, there are companies that provide such services for a fee.
If your study permit is not valid for the duration of your academic program you are admitted, you have to extend it before the expiry date of your study permit from within Canada. All study permit holders in Canada are required to actively pursue studies, meaning that you must remain enrolled and make reasonable and timely progress towards completing your program. Failing to do so could lead to your removal from Canada. Your study permit becomes invalid 90 days after you complete your studies. Your program is considered complete when you receive written confirmation of program completion (for example, an official letter) from the Registrar Office.