International Student Study Permits

International students planning to study in Canada generally require a valid study permit. A study permit is a document issued by the Canadian government that allows you to be in Canada and to study. It may also allow you to work on and/or off-campus as long as you meet the requirements. Find more information about applying for a study permit here.

As part of the study permit application, you may be required to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) which you will receive from the University after you accept your offer of admission and pay the admission deposit.

We also recently launched an Study Permit Application Tracker, which allows incoming students to share their study permit application timeline with the university to help us prepare for their arrival on campus

If you are a graduate student, please refer to the School of Graduate studies for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

All international students studying in Canada for more than 6 months need a valid study permit. You must have a valid permit throughout your studies in Canada. A study permit is a document issued by the Canadian government that allows you to be in Canada and to study. It may also allow you to work on and/or off-campus as long as you meet the requirements. Determine whether you need a study permit here.

Most study permit applicants need to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) as part of their study permit application. The PAL provides confirmation from the province that the study permit applicant has been allocated a space at the university. Our Centre for International Experience has more information about study permits and PALs, as well as a tool to assist you in determining whether you need a PAL.

To receive a PAL, you will need to accept your offer of admission and pay the admission deposit. The Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities will then issue your PAL to the university. You will receive an email notification when your PAL is available and ready to download through your Offer Page on the Join U of T Applicant Portal.

International students will receive more information by email after they are admitted.

The Government of Canada has advised that study permit applications submitted without attestation letters will be returned. We advise students to wait to submit their study permit application until they have received their PAL. However, we encourage you to begin prepare your study permit application now. U of T’s International Student Immigration Advisors on each campus are available to assist you in preparing your best application.

Yes, you will need to apply for a study permit for your studies at U of T, and you may not be able to start your studies until that permit is issued. Since receiving this study permit can take several months, it’s essential to submit your application as soon as you receive your offer of admission.

Find more information about applying for a study permit.

Our Authorized Immigration Advisors are here to support you during the study permit application process; including how to prepare your application. Please reach out if you have questions: 

  • University of Toronto Mississauga Campus – Our International Education Centre at UTM provides detailed information about the application process and local resources for students at U of T Mississauga. 
  • University of Toronto Scarborough Campus – Our International Student Centre at UTSC provides detailed information about the application process and local resources for students at U of T Scarborough. 

Last updated on February 7, 2025.