Immigration Advising Resources

A GCKey is a unique electronic credential (username and password) that allows you to communicate securely with online government services. The Government of Canada, as the service provider, issues these credentials to individuals so they can access government online services. You are able to use your GCkey to access all available government online services with the exception of services offered by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please click here to access the GCKey portal. 

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also referred to as a “visitor visa” or “entry visa”, is a stamped travel document that is placed in your passport and is used for entering or re-entering Canada.

TRV is usually issued for the same length of time as your study or work permit. A TRV grants you permission to travel to Canada while a study permit allows you to study inside Canada. Please visit here to determine whether or not you need a TRV.

Appendix:

• Guide to Completing IMM 5257e form for Temporary Resident Visa.pdf
• IRCC's website on How to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa from inside Canada?
• KPU Resource - How to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa?

• How to obtain your Confirmation of Enrolment letter?

  How to apply for an eTA

• IRCC's website on How to apply for an eTA?

Most international students need to have a study permit to study at KPU. The study permit is a document which IRCC issues that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. Make sure you have all the documents you need before you apply. You should apply before you travel to Canada. Please visit the IRCC Webpage for more details.

Appendix:

• Guide to Completing Form IMM 1294E for Initial Study Permit Application
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Sample
• Application Procedures from KPU International.

**Student Direct Stream (SDS)

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an expedited study permit processing program for those who are applying to study in Canada at a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI). The SDS is available to legal residents who also reside in:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Brazil
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• India
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Philippines
• Senegal
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vietnam

To find out more about the process, eligibility criteria, and the list of countries approved for the SDS program, please check here. 

Medical exams and police certificates

Depending on where you’re applying from, you may need to get a medical exam and/or police certificate. To get faster processing through SDS, you must include these with your application (if applicable). If you don’t, your application won’t be processed any faster.

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

Increase to financial  support proof

As of January 1, 2024, new study permit applications will be subject to an increased amount of cost-of-living from $10,000 to $20,635 for a single applicant. The amount for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have: Study permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca.

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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. The earliest you may apply for your study permit extension is four months before the expiry of your current study permit. 

Please note if you choose to submit your application online, the date and time of receipt are important for determining if status is maintained under subsection R183(5). For electronic applications, IRCC uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) around the world to ensure that time is equal for all. 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.

Appendix:

• Guide to completing IMM 5709 form for Study Permit Extension
• Navigating IRCC questionnaire about PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter)
• Request for a Study Permit Extension Letter
• IRCC's website on Study Permit Extension
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations - IRPR 215(1) or (2)

Increase to financial  support proof

As of January 1, 2024, new study permit applications will be subject to an increased amount of cost-of-living from $10,000 to $20,635 for a single applicant. The amount for additional family members depends on how many dependents you have: Study permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca.

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International students who have been admitted into the Co-op program must apply for a Co-op Work Permit. This permit enables you to engage in full-time work during academic terms provided that the work is a required component of your program. 

Students who are directly accepted into a program with a Co-op may apply for their Co-op Work Permit at the same time as they apply for their initial Study Permit. For more information about the Co-op Work Permit and its eligibility requirements, please check here for details. 

Appendix:

• Guide to Completing IMM 5710e for Coop Work Permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLIs) to obtain an open Work Permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. For more information regarding the PGWP application process and eligibility requirements, please click here for details. 

**Please note the instructional video below is only for individuals who submit their application in Canada. Thank you. 

Appendix:

• Guide to Completing IMM 5710e for PGWP. 
• How to obtain for your Post-graduation Work Permit letter?
• IRCC's website on Post-graduation Work Permit

• If you are in Canada and already have a valid study permit from another DLI institution, you only need to change your designated learning institution (DLI) online. You do not need to apply for a new study permit.
• If you are outside of Canada and want to change your DLI institution, you must notify IRCC and apply for a new Study Permit before travelling to Canada. Please visit here for more details. 

How to Change your DLI online?

• Log in to your IRCC online account. If you applied on paper, you will need to create an account and then link your application.
• Please ensure to have:
  • Your study permit number – begins with “S”
  • Designated learning institution (DLI) number — KPU DLI # is O19350676872
  • Your new student identification number (student ID)
  • Your new start date

Please visit the IRCC website for more details.

You can submit an amendment application if:

• 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

you may request an amendment to your study permit.

**Please note:

• 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 new/renewed study permit.
• if your 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. 

To amend your study permit:

• Download your regular Confirmation of Enrolment letter from Online Self Service (OSS)
• 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.

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 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.

What should I do if my study permit has already expired?

If you are studying in Canada with a valid study permit but you 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 $379 ($229 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 can remain in Canada while waiting for the processing of your restoration application, but you are not allowed to study at KPU until the application is approved. Additionally, you cannot work on or off-campus until your status has been restored, which your study permit restoration has been approved, as well as meeting the international student working eligibility.

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

IRCC's processing times show how long it took to process most applications in the past for each application type. As IRCC processes more applications and clears inventories, the numbers will change. The numbers shown may not reflect how long it will take to process an application you submit today. Find out how IRCC calculates processing times.

• Please check here for the most up-to-date IRCC processing time.
• You can also click here to track your application status. 

The IRCC Webform is a tool for applicants and representatives to communicate with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding their applications. You may submit an IRCC Webform if:

• your application has exceeded normal processing times
• you wish to report important changes to your application, such as a change in contact information, marriage, birth, or
• you need to submit new supporting documents for an application that is in process. In order to submit an IRCC Webform, you will need your Client ID number (UCI) and Application Number.

To access the Webform, please visit IRCC Webform (cic.gc.ca).