To apply for a study permit, you must have a valid offer of admission/acceptance. If you have been admitted to an undergraduate program at the St. John’s campus, this offer is issued by the Registrar's Office. If you have been admitted to a graduate program, this offer is issued by the School of Graduate Studies.  

In addition to this letter, you may require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), unless exempt as outlined on the IRCC website. The process to obtain a PAL is coordinated by the office who issued your admission/acceptance letter.  

+ Questions about Offer of Admission/Deferral of Admission 

• If you are an undergraduate student, consult the webpage of the Registrar's Office or email admissions@mun.ca 

• If you are a graduate student, consult the webpage of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) or email sgs@mun.ca 

+ Questions about Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) 

Before connecting with one of the departments identified below, carefully review the information on the IRCC website about PAL exemptions. For example, Masters and PhD degree seeking students are exempt from the PAL, as well as most in-Canada applicants.  

• If you are unsure if you need a PAL, connect with the Immigration Advising Team for advice.  

• If you are an undergraduate student who requires a PAL, consult the webpage of the Registrar's Office or email admissions@mun.ca  (newly admitted students) or registrar@mun.ca  (for current students). 

• If you are a graduate student who requires a PAL, consult the webpage of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) or email sgs@mun.ca. 

It is recommended that you write a study plan to accompany your study permit application. A study plan is often referred to as a statement of purpose or letter of explanation. It is a 1-2 page essay that explains why you wish to pursue your proposed program of study, what your career goal is, what your plans are post-graduation, and outlines the ties you have to your home country. Some visa offices provide study plan guidelines in their Visa Specific Instructions. We have prepared Study Plan tips to help guide you.  

We also have prepared a recorded information session on Initial Study Permits and Study Plan for Newly Admitted Students. You must register to receive the link to a video of the Immigration Advising Team's (IAT) information session on Initial Study Permits and Study Plan for Newly Admitted students. This video is for newly admitted international students of Memorial who are preparing their initial study permit application or who have been refused a study permit. If you watch the video and successfully pass the quiz, you can email your draft study plan to immigrationadvising@mun.ca for feedback. To register, click here. Please note, while there is an event associated with this registration, no meeting will take place. 

As part of your study permit application, you must satisfy the visa officer that you have sufficient financial means to pay for your studies and living expenses in Canada. There are minimum financial requirements you must meet. These along with what are suitable documents to provide as part of your application are outlined on the IRCC website. It is not always required to provide a receipt to show advanced tuition payment to apply for your study permit. For more information, refer to the subsection below.   

Your proof of financial support will likely comprise of several documents. To provide clarity to your application, we recommend you prepare a budget and provide a cover letter for your financial supporting documents. See our Proof of Funding Cover Letter  

+ Study Permits and Payment of Tuition 

If proof of tuition payment is needed for your study permit application, follow these steps: 

1. Calculate one year tuition fees from Admission Letter 
2. Undergraduate students, refer to page 2 of admission letter, box 22 
3. Graduate students, refer to Minimum Expense Form. The Minimum Expense Form outlines your program fees and special fees. Tuition fees for one year is = program fee *3 + one year special fees. There are 3 semesters in each year and the program fee is a per semester charge. Please note that special fees are not refundable if you register. As such, you should not register until you have been approved a study permit. 
4. Pay fees as per Methods of Payment 
5. Email cashiers@mun.ca to request receipt 

If you must pay your tuition fees in advance, it is recommended that you do so as soon as possible to allow for sufficient time for Financial Services- Cashier's Office to receive payment and process receipt request.  

The age of majority in Newfoundland and Labrador is 19. Anyone below the age of 19 is a minor. If you are a minor and applying for a study permit, there may be additional considerations for you when applying for your study permit to come to Memorial.   

• If you are under the age of 17, you will need a custodian 

• If you are 17 or 18 and have been accepted to study at Memorial University, you do not need a custodian to submit your application. However, the officer processing your application may require this on a case-by-case basis.  

• If you are required to provide a custodian and you do not know anyone in Canada who can act as a custodian, you can contact the Immigration Advising Team (IAT) for more information and referrals.  

Find out options for your spouse/common-law partner to come to Canada 

• Spousal Work Permit 
• Visitor Visa 

Find out about what is needed for your minor children to come to Canada 

• If school aged, they will need a study permit 
• If not school aged, or coming for short stay, they will apply for Visitor Visa 
• Refer to our sample templates 
• Template Invitation Letter for Spousal Open Work Permit 

Processing times for study permit applications are posted on the IRCC website. The published processing times are historical averages, where some applications may be processed faster than the others. Memorial University or the IAT cannot intervene on applications still in process and we are not able to influence processing times or contact IRCC on your behalf. Please review the information below for advice and next steps if you are experiencing a delay in your application.  

+ If your application is within advertised processing times 

Continue to check your IRCC account for updates. If your application is still under processing and you think that you will not receive your approval in time to come to Canada you must follow the deferral steps below. 

+ If your application is past the advertised processing times 

Complete and submit the IRCC webform to request an update. Include the start dates for your upcoming courses and any flight information (if you have booked your travel already). The webform will allow you to upload documents, such as a current letter of enrollment showing your registration. You can request this letter through your Self-Service.  

+ What should I do if I still do not have my study permit by the start of classes? 

Undergraduate students: Connect with an academic advisor (academic advisor ) if you plan to make registration changes or need academic advising. You can find the details on the last date to get full refunds here. After connecting with your academic advisor and you decide to begin studies next available semester, make sure you withdraw from all the courses you are currently enrolled in as soon as possible, noting  the Undergraduate deferral process – Please note that undergraduate deferral requests are not accepted after the first day of classes. 

Graduate students: Contact your graduate officer and the School of Graduate Studies (sgs@mun.ca) as soon as possible. If you have been admitted to a research program (i.e., one requiring a thesis), please contact your faculty supervisor. After connecting with your academic advisor/graduate officer and you decide to begin studies next available semester, make sure you withdraw from all the courses you are currently enrolled in as soon as possible, noting Graduate deferral process - Please email sgs@mun.ca with your deferral request and reference to your student number. 

Exchange students: please contact your exchange coordinator   

Do not travel to Canada without your study permit approval. Even if you are able to enter Canada as a visitor, you cannot begin studies until you have a study permit. We recommend that you do not attempt to travel to Canada before you receive your study permit approval. You may face challenges entering the country or boarding your flight to Canada if you have not been approved for travel. 

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States, Greenland, St. Pierre and Miquelon can apply for a study permit at a port of entry and may travel to Canada without a study permit approval. 

A study permit application can be refused if the visa officer determines that you are either not eligible for a study permit or you are not admissible to Canada. The most common reasons for a refused study permit include insufficient financial support, concerns about an applicant abiding by the conditions of their stay and leaving Canada for reasons like purpose of stay, financial situation, family ties and employment prospects.  

If you have been refused a study permit, you may be able to request re-consideration on your application, re-apply or go through a judicial review. If you have been refused, we may be able to guide you on your next steps. 

• Watch our recorded information session on Initial Study Permits and Study Plan for Newly Admitted Students. You must register to receive the link to a video of the Immigration Advising Team's (IAT) information session on Initial Study Permits and Study Plan for Newly Admitted students. This video is for newly admitted international students of Memorial who are preparing their initial study permit application or who have been refused a study permit.  To register, click here. Please note, while there is an event associated with this registration, no meeting will take place. 

• Complete our Study Permit Refusal Intake Form and email it to immigrationadvising@mun.ca along with the documents outlined in the form. An advisor will review your documents and reply with feedback or connect with you to arrange a one-on-one consultation.