Apply for study permits and visas

The information on this page is intended for new students. If you are a current student, see Immigration: Updating study permits and visas.

If your study permit has been refused and you would like to re-apply, you must request a new Provincial Attestation Letter by contacting studypermits@ufv.ca.

As a new international student, you need a study permit and visa/eTA to enter Canada. Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for current processing time estimates.

Getting your study permit and visa

To come to Canada as an international student, you must have:

A valid study permit to stay here for the length of your studies.
A visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

Step 1: Receive your official letter of acceptance

We will send you an official Letter of Acceptance after:

You paid your full tuition fees or the initial tuition deposit.
We received and evaluated your official documents.

When you have your letter, you can begin the process to get your study permit and visa/eTA.

Step 2: Apply for your study permit

You may be able to apply online for your Canadian study permit. To begin the application, you need:

Your official letter of acceptance from UFV.
A Provincial Attestation Letter.
The receipt from your fees and tuition deposit.

You can also apply in person at a Citizenship and Immigration Canada visa office in your region.

Apply online for your Canadian study permit

Step 3: Apply for your visa/eTA

In many cases, if you are applying for a study permit, your visa is granted automatically. There are also some circumstances under which you do not need a visa. See the latest from Immigration and Citizenship Canada to find out what travel documents you need and whether you should make a separate application.

What happens if I cannot get a study permit?

If you have been refused a study permit by the Canadian embassy or are unable to attend UFV for medical reasons, you can do one of the following:

Re-apply for a study permit for the same semester. You will need to request a new Provincial Attestation Letter from studypermits@ufv.ca.
Defer your admission and transfer your fees to the next available semester.
If you decide that you no longer want to study at UFV, you may request a refund.

If you choose not to come for other reasons, you may be eligible for a partial refund if you make your request before classes start.

Learn more about UFV tuition refunds and rules.

Get immigration support through BorderPass

Applying for a study permit can feel complicated. To make it easier, UFV has partnered with BorderPass, a Canadian legal technology company that connects international students with licensed Canadian immigration lawyers through a secure online platform.

With BorderPass, your study permit application is prepared, reviewed, and submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) by a Canadian immigration lawyer — helping you submit a complete and accurate application. With BorderPass, you get:

Study permit application preparation, legal review, and submission to IRCC by licensed Canadian immigration lawyers
A secure Document Vault to store your important immigration documents in one place
Email reminders and notifications for key dates and deadlines
Access to Canadian immigration lawyers for your questions along the way
Ongoing support during your studies, including help with study permit extensions and your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

What it costs: UFV covers your BorderPass membership and the legal fees for your initial study permit application. You are only responsible for the standard government processing and biometrics fees set by IRCC.

Using BorderPass is optional, and you can opt out at any time. Please note that submitting your application through BorderPass does not guarantee approval; IRCC has sole authority over study permit decisions.

Questions? For more information about BorderPass, or immigration or study permit questions, contact studypermits@ufv.ca.