• Review  Guide 5269: Applying for a Study Permit outside of Canada.
• Create or login to an  IRCC secure account. This is where you will submit your application.
• To complete the online application, you must have access to a:
  • Camera to upload a digital photo
  • Credit or debit card to pay application fees

• 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, navigate to, "I do not have a Personal Reference Code" and click on "Visitor visa, Study and/or work permit".
• Complete the questionnaire. 

After completing the questionnaire, you will be provided with a list of all immigration applications that you are eligible to apply for. Select "Study permit”, then click “Continue” to complete the questionnaire and populate your student checklist.

Once you have generated your document checklist, you will find the application form which is applicable to your circumstances. Below are some tips to help you download the form. 

• Download the latest version of Acrobat Reader to open and fill the IMM1294 form.
• Download the IMM1294 application form, then open and complete it using Acrobat Reader. For assistance with this step, visit the IRCC website or watch this tutorial video.
• Trent’s Designated Learning Institution Number (DLI #) is O19395164223. Note that the first character of the DLI # is the letter O, not zero.

Letter of Acceptance: Trent’s Letter of Acceptance will be sent to you by email. To save the email as a file, you will need to save the email as a PDF. When applying for your study permit, you have two options: 

1. Wait until you have met the conditions of your offer letter to submit your application.
2. 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 conditions, submit your updated Letter of Acceptance or letter confirming you have met the conditions. 

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): Click here to determine if you need a PAL. You will only be considered for a PAL once you have paid your deposit to Trent University. 

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

Copy of passport: Scan the page that shows your picture, birth date, country of origin and all pages with stamps, visas or markings. Save these scans as a single document. 

Digital photo: Visit the IRCC website to determine the photo specifications. 

Proof of financial support: Visit the IRCC website for all details about providing proof of financial support. 

• We recommend including your Trent Account Statement if you have made any payments to Trent (including your deposit). View a summary of your payments in 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.
• If you are receiving parental or sponsorship support, include:
  • A letter from them confirming their commitment to covering your academic and living expenses while in Canada.
  • Proof of funds available to support your studies. If your program is longer than one year, we recommend including proof of employment from your parents.
  • Proof of relationship to your sponsor.
  • Copy of your birth certificate (or passport if it states parental information).
  • Copy of passport from your sponsor
  • Letter of Explanation
• Combine all into one document (max file size is 4 MB). 

Statement of Purpose: 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 that your purpose in coming to Canada is to study. In writing this, consider: 

• Why do you want to study in Canada in the program that you have been accepted to?
• Why are you not pursuing a similar program in your country of residence or citizenship?
• What are your overall educational goals?
• How will this program enhance your employment opportunities in your country of residence/citizenship?
• What personal ties do you have to your country of residence/citizenship? IRCC wants to see that 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 personal ties include: parents, children, family members, membership in groups or communities, homeownership, business ownership, and employment letters. 

Your statement of purpose should be personal and specific. It should be no longer than one 8.5x11 page, single spaced. 

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

Immigration medical exam (if applicable): You are required to submit an immigration medical exam if you: 

1. Lived outside Canada in certain countries/territories for more than six 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 or elementary school classroom. 

If you require a medical exam, you may be exempt if you meet criteria outlined by IRCC and can provide a copy of your previous medical exam. 

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

Documents specific to your Visa Application Centre (VAC): The visa office you are applying through may also have additional requirements you must meet and include with your study permit application. We recommend you verify your visa office instructions. 

Dependent family member documents (if applicable): 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 

Some applicants may require additional documents based on their circumstances.

After applying, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt confirming that IRCC has received your application. While you wait for a decision, you should: 

• Confirm your IRCC mailing address is correct prior to your application decision. If you need to update your mailing address, select “Update Contact Information”.
• Refer to the IRCC website for PGWP application processing times. 

If you have not received a decision on your study permit application at least one month prior to the start of your studies: 

• You must defer your offer of admission to the next available term.
• Connect with the Admissions department at admissions@trentu.ca or graduatestudies@trentu.ca if you have additional questions about the deferral process. 

If your deferral is approved, you will receive an updated Letter of Acceptance. You will need to submit this updated letter to IRCC.

Once a decision has been made on your study permit application, IRCC will notify you through your IRCC secure account. Your study permit will be mailed to the address indicated in your application form (IMM1294).

After a study permit application is approved, IRCC will request that 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/Port of Entry Letter (POE) through your IRCC online account.
• This letter is not your study permit. 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. 

Visit the IRCC website to prepare for your arrival in Canada.