Apply for initial study permit

You must have access to a scanner/camera and a credit or debit card to pay the fees to complete the online application. 

• Once logged in, scroll to the section titled "start an application"  

• Click "apply to come to Canada". 

•  You will be asked to enter a Personal Reference Code.  If you do not already have a code, go to the section, "I do not have a Personal Reference Code" and click on "visitor visa, study and/or work permit" > begin questionnaire to determine your eligibility. Answer the questions that follow truthfully.  

• After answering questionnaire, you be provided with a list of applications you may be eligible to submit  > select "Study permit" > Click continue to complete the questionnaire to populate your student checklist. 

Save the  application form to your computer.

• Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1294) 

After you download the form, open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

1. Open Acrobat Reader.
2. Select “File” from the top menu.
3. Click “Open.”
4. Find the location where you saved the form, click on the file, and click “Open.”

Find instructions on the IRCC website or watch this helpful video. 

our Trent Letter of Acceptance comes in email format. You will need to "print" the email as a PDF.  

If you received conditional Letter of Acceptance, you have two options when applying for your study permit: 
 
Option 1:  

• You may submit your study permit application with a conditional Letter of Acceptance and an explanation letter to explain when you will meet the conditions. 

• Once you have met the outstanding admission conditions, you will submit proof of this either with an updated Letter of acceptance or a letter confirming that you have met the outstanding conditions.   

Option 2: 

• Submit your application after meeting the conditions with your unconditional offer letter or email notification indicating the conditions have been met. 

Click here to determine if you need a PAL. You will only be considered for a PAL once you have paid the deposit to Trent University

• Deposit information for graduate students
• Deposit information for undergraduate and post-graduate certificate students 

IRCC is seeking proof you have at least the funds for the following: 

1. tuition costs for one year, AND
2. living expenses for one year (CAN$20,635 for single applicant and more if with dependent family members - Click here for full details of financial requirements for living expenses). 

Acceptable documents: 

• IRCC has a list of acceptable documents here. 
• You can combine different sources of funds for your proof.
• We recommend including your Trent Account Statement if you have made any payments to Trent (including your deposit) > myTrent > Finances> My Account > Account Statement.
• If you have more than one source of financial support, include a cover letter to summarize for IRCC. Download a template here.
• Combine all into one document (max file size is 4mb). 

Parental or sponsorship support:  

• Include a letter from your sponsor confirming their commitment to covering your academic and/or living expenses in Canada. 
• Proof of available funds to support your studies
• Show proof of relationship to your sponsor
• Copy of your birth certificate (or passport if it states parental information), copy of passport of sponsor, and/or letter of explanation.  If the length of your program is more than one year, you may want to include documents to prove the possibility of funds for the future years exists, such as employment letters from your parents, or scholarship letters. 

A statement of purpose is an essay that outlines your study plan in Canada, and how your program of study will assist you in achieving your future goals. Your statement of purpose should demonstrate to an immigration officer that your true purpose in wanting to come to Canada is to study. It explains: 

1. Why you want to study in Canada, and;
2. That you understand your responsibilities as a student and that your stay in Canada is temporary. 
3. That your intention to study is genuine. 

Questions to consider when preparing your statement of purpose:  

• Why do you wish to study in Canada in the program for which you have been accepted and why are you not pursuing a similar program in your country of residence or citizenship? 
• What is your overall educational goal? 
• What research have you done into studies in your country of residence/citizenship and how will this program enhance your employment opportunities in your country of residence/citizenship? 
• What ties do you have to your country of residence/citizenship (especially important for mature students)? IRCC wants to see you will return to your country of residence/citizenship at the end of your stay as a student and that your true intention for being in Canada is to study. 
• Examples of ties to your country of residence/citizenship are: parents, children, and other family members, membership in groups or communities, homeownership, business ownership, employment letters, etc.
• Your statement of purpose should be personal and specific.
• It should be no longer than a page single spaced. 

Please note, there may be additional questions that your visa office asks you to address in your statement of purpose as well. 

Required to submit immigration medical exam if you have:

1. lived outside Canada in certain countries/territories for more than 6 months in the last year; OR
2. intend to work in a setting where public health must be protected - such as in a medical setting, teachers of small children, etc.

If you require a medical exam, you may be exempt if you meet this criteria and can provide a copy of your previous medical exam. Learn more here.

If you do not complete the exam, your study permit will have conditions which will not allow you to work in jobs where public health must be protected.

If you are applying for your family members to come to Canada as well, you will need to prepare relevant documentation for them. 

You may require: 

• Copies of passports
• Marriage license or proof of cohabitation
• Financial documents to prove you can also support your co-arriving dependent family members
• Additional documents as required 

After submission, you’ll receive an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) confirming IRCC has received your application. 

Processing times for a study permit application vary by country or territory of application and are updated on a weekly basis. We encourage to review the IRCC processing times to determine the appropriate time to apply. 

If you have not received a decision on your study permit application at least one month prior to the start of your studies, you will need to defer your offer of admission to the next available term. Connect with the Admissions department at admissions@trentu.ca or graduateadmissions@trentu.ca if you have additional questions about the deferral process.  

• Keep in mind that if your deferral is approved, you will receive an updated Letter of Acceptance. You will need to submit this updated letter to IRCC through the IRCC Webform.  

If you need to update your mailing address prior to your study permit extension application being approved, you can submit a request through the IRCC webform. Select "update contact information. 

If you have problems with your online application, please contact the IRCC through the IRCC Webform: Link 

Once a decision has been made on your study permit application, IRCC will notify you through your IRCC Secure Account.  

If your study permit application has been approved, IRCC will request you submit your passport for entry visa placement. This is only applicable to students who are from visa requiring countries. Once you have your passport back with the visa placed inside, you can start preparing for your arrival in Canada.  

Once your application has been approved: 

• You will receive a Letter of Introduction through your IRCC online account.  

• This letter is not your study permit, but it is proof that your study permit has been initially approved.   

• You will need to print this letter and bring it with you to the port of entry to present to the Boarder Service Officer along with all the documents you submitted in your study permit application.  

• If satisfied, the officer will proceed to issue your study permit.  

• Do not leave the port of entry without your study permit.  

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=845&top=15 

Have general questions about the study permit application process? Email us at internationladvising@trentu.ca. 

If you have problems with your online application, please contact Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada webform: