Study Permit – Initial, Extension, Restoration, & Amendment

Starting January 22, 2024, all international applicants seeking a study permit for Canada must obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). The purpose of the PAL is to confirm that an international applicant has a place within the maximum number of study permit applications allocated to a specific province or territory in Canada for the year. The letter demonstrates that the applicant has met the criteria set by the province, allowing them to apply for a study permit in Canada. For a sample PAL letter, click here.

If your study permit application was not accepted for processing, you can submit a new study permit application with the same PAL/TAL (if it’s still valid). This means that your fee was refunded and you were told that your application was not processed.

If your application was accepted for processing but was refused, you must get a new PAL/TAL before you reapply.

If you’re changing schools, you need a new PAL/TAL before you submit your application.

Some students are exempted from submitting a PAL; see The Provincial Attestation letter or Territorial Attestation Letter on the Government of Canada website.

Please note starting on Jan 22, 2024, study permit applications outside Canada require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). However, for current students, your study permit extension application from inside Canada will NOT be impacted and the application does NOT require a PAL. If you see a new section “Proof of Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL or TAL) Exception” in your document checklist, you can write a Letter of Explanation – as you are extending your study permit in the same level of education and in the same Designated Learning Institute, you are not required for PAL. You can attach your current Study Permit Extension Letter as well as your original Letter of Acceptance in the same PDF to support it.

As of September 1, 2025, new study permit applications will be subject to an increased amount of cost-of-living from $10,000 to $22,895 for a single applicant. The amount for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have. Please refer to the table below. For the types of proof of financial support, refer to Study permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca.

Starting September 1, 2025, a single applicant will need to show that they have $22,895, representing 75% of Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.

Example: If you and 2 family members want to come to a province or territory (other than Quebec) for a year, you’ll need $35,040 for living expenses.

Depending on where you’re applying from, you may need to get a medical exam and/or police certificate.

• Find out if you need a medical exam
• Find out if you need a police certificate

If your study permit will expire before you are able to complete your studies and graduate, you must apply for an extension of your study permit. You should apply to extend your study permit at least 30 days before your current permit expires. However, you are recommended to apply earlier when possible. You will require a Study Permit Extension Letter from our office to apply for your extension. The earliest you may request this letter is 180 days before the expiry of your current study permit.

Please note when submitting your application online, the date and time of receipt are important for determining if your status is maintained under subsection R183(5). For electronic applications, IRCC uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Therefore, receipt dates and times do not depend on time zones; all applications must be submitted before midnight UTC on the date the applicant’s status expires. If the application was received after midnight UTC on the date of expiry, the applicant does not maintain their status under subsection R183(5), which means you must submit an application of Study Permit restoration instead.

For a complete step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Study Permit Extension, please refer to IRCC’s Guide 5552 or visit IRCC’s website. For a quick overview of the study permit extension process, refer to the following handout.

Students applying for an initial study permit may refer to IRCC’s website on Study Permit or apply through BorderPass.

For steps on how to navigate the IRCC questionnaire regarding PAL, please check here.

You may request an amendment to your study permit.

• there is a mistake on your study permit such as an incorrect spelling of your name; or
• you were admitted to KPU as a regular Undergraduate student however, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) failed to include employment authorization on your study permit

If the conditions on your Study Permit have been changed, i.e., working eligibility, you must apply to change the conditions of your Study Permit and pay the application fees. Amendment will not apply in this case. For example, if you are a Pathway student who has completed your mandatory English preparatory courses, but your study permit does not authorize work, you must apply for a change of conditions to your Study Permit.

• Download your regular Confirmation of Enrolment letter from MyKPU.ca.
• Visit the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) webpage to amend/change the conditions on your study permit.
• Complete the application form IMM 1436 (Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents). Make sure that you include all the supporting documents:
  • Confirmation of Enrolment Letter from KPU
  • Photocopy of your Letter of Acceptance from KPU, which you originally used to apply for your study permit
  • Photocopy of the personal information page (i.e., page stating your name, date of birth, passport number, photo, passport issue and expiry date, etc.) of your valid passport. This passport should be the one you used to enter Canada.
  • Photocopy of valid government-issued identification from outside Canada before your entry to Canada such as a national identity card, birth certificate, or marriage certificate (if applicable).
  • Original valid study permit (Please note: Please scan your study permit for your own records)
  • You may be required to provide additional supporting documents, and all documents must be in English or French.
• There is no additional fee for this service.
• Mail the completed application form and all required supporting documents to the IRCC address stated in the Instruction Guide 5218. We recommend using Express Post, Priority Post, or registered mail so that you can track your application package. If your application is approved, you will receive your amended study permit. If your application is refused, a letter will be provided from the IRCC with the rationale for the decision. 

Addresses:

Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence:
Operations Support Centre (OSC)
P.O. Box 8784 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 5J3

If sent by private courier or registered mail:

Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence
Operations Support Centre (OSC) 
365 Laurier Avenue West,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1

If you are studying in Canada with a valid study permit but did not apply to extend your study permit before the expiry date, you may apply to restore your status in Canada if you wish to continue your studies at KPU. The restoration application fee is $396.35 ($246.35 restoration fee + $150 new Study Permit fee).

Please note that the restoration application must be submitted within 90 days after your study permit expires or becomes invalid. You will need a Study Permit Restoration letter from the International Advising department, as well as a PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) to support your application.

You can remain in Canada while your restoration application is being processed, but you are not allowed to study at KPU until the application is approved. Additionally, you cannot continue to work or attend school until your status and authorization have been restored and a new work or study permit has been issued.

Please visit the IRCC website for more details on Study Permit Restoration:

• IRCC: Restoration of temporary resident status
• IRCC: Extend your study permit or restore your status: What to do if your permit expired

KPU students will need a study permit extension letter issued by the International Advising Office to renew the study permit. To request a study permit extension letter, please click here for the form.

You may request a replacement of your study permit if it is lost or stolen. You need to contact RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) to get a file number. You must provide the police report number to prove that your current study permit has been lost or stolen. Please follow the instructions from IRCC.

Volunteer work for which a person would not normally be remunerated. Visit the IRCC website to learn what kind of volunteering activities would not be considered as work and do not required a work permit. To learn more about volunteer opportunities available at KPU, please go to here.

No. Study permit extension can only be done inside of Canada. If you are outside Canada, it would be similar to your first initial study permit application.