Immigration
Studying in Canada
Do I need a PAL to apply for my study permit?
As of January 22, 2025, most international students applying for a study permit from outside of Canada or some study permit extension applications (e.g. changing level of studies, changing/transferring from another institution to SFU, etc.) inside Canada will be required to have a (PAL/TAL), unless exempted.
- Visit to check if you meet one of the PAL exceptions.
- Review various scenarios on our News and Updates page to determine whether or not you need a PAL for your study permit application.
A PAL will not be required if you meet one of the exceptions as outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Some of the exception examples include the following situations:
- Students inside Canada applying to extend their study permit to continue at the same Designated Learning Institution and the same level of studies (e.g., undergraduate to undergraduate, graduate to graduate) as their current study permit;
- Exchange students studying under an exchange arrangement between your home institution and SFU, and you don鈥檛 pay tuition fees directly to SFU;
- Minor children applying to study in a primary or secondary school (kindergarten to grade 12);
- Protected persons in Canada applying for a study permit; and
- Refugee claimants and persons subject to an unenforceable removal order.
If you have questions about the PAL exemptions, or if you require a PAL, please contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for support.
This page was last updated on April 30, 2025.