㽶Ƶ

ISS is available virtually and in-person Mondays-Fridays during business hours.

Study Permit - FAQs

Immigration Essentials for International Students in Graduate Programs at McGill

New Students

1. I am a newly admitted student from a TRV-exempt country and my study permit application is still pending. Can I travel to Canada as a visitor on my eTA to start my studies?

No. As your purpose to come to Canada is to study and not to visit, you must have a valid CAQ, a (the letter from Immigration Canada confirming that your study permit has been approved), and an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Your , will be to you once your study permit application is approved. You can verify if you are TRV-exempt (eTA eligible) by referring to.

We do not recommend that you travel to Canada to gain admission as a student until you have all of the required immigration documents listed above. Exception: One term exchange students are exempt from requiring a CAQ and study permit.

Furthermore, in order to start your classes, you must have both (1) a valid CAQ and (2) a valid study permit. Your study permit document will be issued to you only once you present your Letter of Introduction to the border agent upon arrival in Canada.

NOTE: US citizens and permanent residents can apply for their study permit at the Port of Entry (POE) upon entering Canada but should have a valid CAQ when doing so.

If, despite the above, you decide to travel to Canada without the required immigration documents, your entry into Canada will be at the discretion of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) Agent. As an incoming student, you must explain your intention to enter Canada as a student and show proof that you have applied for your study permit and that it is being processed. The following scenarios are then possible:

  • You may be denied entry to Canada and have to return home immediately.
  • You may be allowed to enter as a visitor. If you are admitted as a visitor, you will not be authorized to start your studies until you have received both your CAQ and your study permit. Once you obtain your Letter of Introduction (from Immigration Canada) via your online account, you will have to exit and re-enter Canada at the US/Canada border to have your actual study permit document issued (referred to as “flagpoling”). This can be done at a US/Canada land border
  • You may be allowed to enter Canada as a visitor, but your passport may be seized and you may be given a deadline by which you must present your Letter of Introduction at the border or depart Canada. Again, you will not be authorized to start your studies until you have received both your CAQ and your Study Permit. Once you obtain your Letter of Introduction (Immigration Canada) via your online account, you will have to exit and re-enter Canada at a US/Canada border to have your actual Study Permit document issued (referred to as “flagpoling”). This can be done at a US/Canada land border

In general, we do not recommend that students miss more than one or two weeks of classes as a late start may negatively impact your academic record. Please see information about key academic dates including the course add/drop deadline and withdrawal deadlines (with/without refunds).

If it becomes increasingly evident that you will not be able to arrive within a reasonable amount of time after the start of class, you may decide to defer your admission to a future semester. You must make an official request for deferral no later than August 31st.

If you will be by more than one semester, you will need to apply for a new CAQ.

2. Should I apply for my study permit through the IRCC secure account (GCKey) or the IRCC portal?

It depends.

When to use the

  • If you are inside of Canada and are applying for an extension of your current study permit. You can study under maintained status even after your study permit expires if you apply using the IRCC secure account.
  • If you are applying for a study permit from outside of Canada and you have accompanying dependents who also require a permit or visa.
  • If are applying for a study permit for the first time from inside Canada and are .

When to use the

3. Do I need to get a new Study Permit if I am transferring to McGill from another school in Canada?

You do not have to apply for a new Study Permit but do need to through your online account.

Please note, all international students studying in Quebec must have a valid CAQ for the appropriate level of studies.

If you are a high school or secondary school student coming to McGill and want to be able to work while you study, you must apply to change the conditions of your study permit. There is a fee to make this change. To do this, you’ll need to .

Visit the for more details.

4. Am I required to provide biometrics when applying for my study permit?

Most study permit applicants from outside Canada will need to provide biometrics.

US citizens are exempt from the requirement to provide their biometrics when applying to come to Canada to study.

All other foreign nationals applying to extend their stay in Canada as a student must provide their biometrics unless they are or have already provided their biometrics within the past ten years.

There is a fee of $85 CAD to have your biometrics collected.

If you are not exempt and have not provided your biometrics in the past 10 years, then you will be when applying for your study permit and will receive a Biometrics Instructions Letter with more details from IRCC. Your study permit application cannot be finalized until IRCC receives your biometrics.

5. Am I required to have a valid medical exam in order to enter Canada?

It depends.

You are required to have proof of valid results when entering Canada if you have resided in a for more than 6 months within the past year, OR if you will work in a position in which public health must be protected, for example as:

  • a medical student
  • a student in a health sciences field who will have placements in health-care or home-care settings
  • an education student who will have placements in primary or secondary schools

The requirement to have valid immigration examination results applies to ALL students, regardless if you are a returning student entering Canada with a valid study permit OR a new student entering Canada with a study permit approval letter (letter of introduction). If your medical exam will no longer be valid (i.e., the results are more than 12 months old) when you plan to enter Canada, you will need to complete another medical exam before travelling to Canada.

IRCC may contact you to inform you that your medical exam is no longer valid, but in some cases, you may not receive a correspondence letter from IRCC. Should this be the case then you must follow the instructions for and submit proof of having done your medical via the .

It is a student’s responsibility to ensure that they meet all the requirements to enter Canada. If you are unsure if you need to redo your medical exam, you should contact IRCC via their .

6. I am a dual US and French citizen. Does it matter which nationality I use when applying for my immigration documents?

You can apply for your documents under either nationality, however there are certain advantages to applying under your French nationality for your CAQ and your US nationality for your study permit.

French citizens are exempt from the international tuition fee. Therefore, when applying for your immigration documents and providing proof of your financial capacity, you should include proof of your French citizenship in order to prove why you are exempt from the international tuition fee.

If you are a US citizen or US permanent resident, you can apply for your study permit directly at the port of entry (land or air border between Canada and the US) and therefore should apply for your study permit with your US passport or US permanent resident card.

While you may be applying under one nationality for your CAQ and another for your study permit, it is still recommended to include proof of your dual nationality in both applications for the reasons mentioned above.

7. I am a U.S. citizen/P.R., currently outside of Canada, with an approved CAQ. Should I apply for my study permit online or at the border?

If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, you may apply for your study permit online or at a port of entry (POE). Note the issuance of the study permit at the POE will be at the discretion of the border officer, see our study permit guide for a list of documents you should bring when applying at the POE.

NOTE: U.S. permanent residents applying for a study permit online or at a POE . Those applying for their study permit at a POE will be able to provide their biometrics at the POE.

8. I am currently outside of Canada and I do not have a valid passport. Can I apply for my immigration documents?

No. In order to apply for your study permit, you must have a valid passport. If you have not yet applied for your passport, you should do so immediately and request expedited processing of your passport.

IMPORTANT: The expiry of your study permit and temporary resident visa (TRV) or eTA is dependent on the expiry of your passport; these documents generally cannot be issued past the expiry of your passport.

9. I applied for study permit with an admission letter from another institution. Now admitted to McGill, should I apply for a new study permit?

It depends.

If you are currently outside of Canada and your study permit application is still processing and has not yet been approved, you can submit your letter of admission from McGill and your CAQ approval letter via the . However, if your study permit application has already been approved, you should submit a new study permit application with your letter of admission from McGill and the CAQ approval letter.

If you are currently inside of Canada with a valid study permit and you are attending another institution, you will need to notify IRCC that you have changed institutions via your . Please see the for instructions on how to do so.

If you obtained a CAQ for a different institution, you may use it for your studies at McGill if the CAQ is for the same level of studies as your new program at McGill. For example, if your CAQ is for Université - premier cycle, you may use it to complete your undergraduate studies at McGill. If it is for Université - deuxième or troisième cycle, you may not use it for your undergraduate studies as these are for Master’s and Doctorate studies, respectively.

10. I am a new student with a study permit approval letter. I want to defer my studies. Will this impact my study permit approval letter?

It depends.

Your study permit or Port of Introduction letter (i.e., your study permit approval letter) will remain valid until the date of its expiry. You will not need to apply for a new study permit and you can use your study permit approval letter to travel to Canada to begin your studies as long as you do so within the validity period indicated in the letter. Your actual study permit document will be issued to you at the Port of Entry upon arrival to Canada.

11. I am a current undergraduate student who will start a graduate program in the upcoming academic term. My study permit expires in a year. Should I apply for a new study permit?

Your study permit is not level specific. You may therefore use it to begin your studies for as long as it remains valid. You will have to renew it before it expires as you must have a valid study permit for the entire duration of your studies in Canada.

IMPORTANT: Your CAQ is level specific, which means you will need a different CAQ for undergraduate, master and doctoral studies even if you have a valid study permit. You will therefore need to apply for and obtain a new CAQ before starting your graduate studies in the Fall. When applying for your new CAQ, please follow the CAQ renewal guide as your application will be considered an extension and not a first CAQ application.

12. Can I apply for my Study Permit and TRV/Entry Visa at the same time?

It depends where you are applying for your Study Permit:

  • If you are applying for a Study Permit outside of Canada,your TRV is included in the same application and you are exempt from paying the TRV application fee.
  • If you are applying to renew your Study Permit inside Canada, you will have to wait to receive the new Study Permit before you apply for your new TRV. Read the TRV application guide for instructions.

Current Students

1. Should I apply for my study permit through the IRCC Secure Account (GCKey) or the IRCC portal?

Ի.

When to use the

  • If you are inside of Canada and are applying for an extension of your current study permit. You can study under maintained status even after your study permit expires if you apply using the IRCC secure account.
  • If you are applying for a study permit from outside of Canada and you have accompanying dependents who also require a permit or visa.
  • If are applying for a study permit for the first time from inside Canada and are .

When to use the

2. Am I required to provide biometrics when applying to extend my study permit from inside Canada?

It depends.

US citizens are exempt from the requirement to provide their biometrics when applying to come to or extend their stay in Canada temporarily.

All other foreign nationals applying to extend their stay in Canada as a studentmust provide their biometrics unless they are , orhave already provided their biometrics within the past ten years.

There is a fee of $85 CAD to have your biometrics collected.

If you are not exempt and have not provided your biometrics in the past 10 years, then you will be when applying to extend your study permit from inside Canada and will receive a Biometrics Instructions Letter with instructions on how to do so from IRCC.

Your study permit extension application cannot be finalized until IRCC receives your biometrics.

See for full details on who is required to provide their biometrics when applying to come to or extend their stay in Canada temporarily.

3. Am I required to have a valid medical exam in order to enter Canada?

It depends.

You are required to have proof of valid results when entering Canada if you have resided in a for more than 6 months within the past year, OR if you will work in a position in which public health must be protected, for example as:

  • a medical student
  • a student in a health sciences field who will have placements in health-care or home-care settings
  • an education student who will have placements in primary or secondary schools

The requirement to have valid immigration examination results applies to ALL students, regardless if you are a returning student entering Canada with a valid study permit OR a new student entering Canada with a study permit approval letter (letter of introduction). If your medical exam will no longer be valid (i.e., the results are more than 12 months old) when you plan to enter Canada, you will need to complete another medical exam before travelling to Canada.

IRCC may contact you to inform you that your medical exam is no longer valid, but in some cases, you may not receive a correspondence letter from IRCC. Should this be the case then you must follow the instructions for and submit proof of having done your medical via the .

It is a student’s responsibility to ensure that they meet all the requirements to enter Canada. If you are unsure if you need to redo your medical exam, you should contact IRCC via their .

4. I am a dual US and French citizen. Does it matter which nationality I use when applying for my immigration documents?

You can apply for your documents under either nationality, however there are certain advantages to applying under your French nationality for your CAQ and your US nationality for your study permit.

French citizens are exempt from the international tuition fee. Therefore, when applying for your immigration documents and providing proof of your financial capacity, you should include proof of your French citizenship in order to prove why you are exempt from the international tuition fee.

If you are a US citizen or US permanent resident, you can apply for your study permit directly at the port of entry (land or air border between Canada and the US) and therefore should apply for your study permit with your US passport or US permanent resident card.

While you may be applying under one nationality for your CAQ and another for your study permit, it is still recommended to include proof of your dual nationality in both applications for the reasons mentioned above.

5. I am a U.S. citizen/P.R., currently outside of Canada, with an approved CAQ. Should I apply for my study permit online or at the border?

If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, you may apply for your study permit online or at a port of entry (POE). Note the issuance of the study permit at the POE will be at the discretion of the border officer, see our study permit guide for a list of documents you should bring when applying at the POE.

NOTE: U.S. permanent residents applying for a study permit online or at a POE . Those applying for their study permit at a POE will be able to provide their biometrics at the POE.

6. I am currently outside of Canada and I do not have a valid passport. Can I apply for my immigration documents?

No. In order to apply for your study permit, you must have a valid passport. If you have not yet applied for your passport, you should do so immediately and request expedited processing of your passport.

IMPORTANT: The expiry of your study permit and temporary resident visa (TRV) or eTA is dependent on the expiry of your passport; these documents generally cannot be issued past the expiry of your passport.

7. I am waiting for my CAQ to be issued and don’t think I will have it before my study permit expires. Can I apply to extend my study permit without my new CAQ?

You must have a valid CAQ in order to apply for your study permit extension. If you are concerned that you may not receive your CAQ before your study permit expires, contact ISS.


It depends.

If you leave Canada while your study permit extension application is processing, you may lose the right to study and work in Canada. You may also be denied entry to Canada.

Before making travel plans, see which example below applies to your situation:

  1. You plan to return to Canada before your current study permit expires. You can re-enter Canada and resume your studies. You will benefit from from the date your study permit expires until a decision is made on your application as long as you remain in Canada. Under maintained status, you can continue to study and work as per the conditions of your previous study permit.
  2. You plan to return to Canada after your study permit has expired – e.g. your study permit expired while you were in Canada or will expire while you are outside of Canada. You will not benefit from . If you had maintained status before leaving Canada, you will lose this status when you leave Canada. This means that:
    • You will not be authorized to study or work in Canada until your new study permit has been issued.
    • You may be denied entry to Canada. If you are allowed to enter Canada, you will not be authorized to study or work in Canada until your new study permit has been issued.

NOTE: Your study permit extension application will continue to process even if you leave Canada. Once your application has been approved, the actual study permit will be mailed to the Canadian address you included in your application form. If you require a (TRV) based on your country of citizenship, you will have to apply for one separately, after your study permit has been approved. If you require an (eTA), it will automatically be renewed with your study permit. See IRCC’s website for more information on .

9. What happens if my CAQ and study permit expirewhile I am outside of Canada and I want to return to resume my studies?

If your immigration documents will expire while you are outside of Canada, you will need to apply for and obtain new ones before returning to Canada to resume your studies. Please see our CAQ Renewal Guide and our Study Permit Renewal Guide (under “Applying for Your Study Permit from Outside Canada”) for more detailed instructions.

You will also need to have a valid eTA or TRV to enter Canada, unless exempt. If you apply for your new study permit from outside of Canada, a new eTA or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) will be automatically issued at the same time your study permit is approved.

10. I am currently outside Canada and both my CAQ and study permit are still valid. Can I return with thesedocuments to continue my studies?

Your CAQ and study permit both remain valid until their expiry date and you may use them to enter Canada to resume your studies. In order to enter Canada, you must have a valid CAQ, study permit and Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA.

11. Do I have to apply for a new Study Permit if I change programs at McGill?

You do not have to apply for a new Study Permit if you change programs within McGill and do not need to inform IRCC of the change in program or levelof study.

Visit the for moredetails.

12. Can I apply for my Study Permit and TRV/Entry Visa at the same time?

It depends where you are applying for your Study Permit:

  • If you are applying for a Study Permit outside of Canada,your TRV is included in the same application and you are exempt from paying the TRV application fee.
  • If you are applying to renew your Study Permit inside Canada, you will have to wait to receive the new Study Permit before you apply for your new TRV. Read the TRV application guide for instructions.

Study With A Work Permit

1. I am in Canada and hold a valid work permit, or have recently applied to extend my work permit. Can I study at McGill without a valid CAQ or study permit?

It depends. Effective June 27, 2023, IRCC implemented a that allows eligible workers to study in Canada without a study permit. is also exempting these eligible workers from the requirement to hold a CAQ.

Who is eligible to benefit from this temporary public policy measure?
To be eligible to study at McGill without a CAQ or study permit under this temporary public policy, you must be authorized to work in Canada with either of the following:

  • You hold a valid work permit that was issuedon or before June 7, 2023; or
  • You applied to extend your work permit and received a with an issue date on or before June 7, 2023 authorizing you to work in Canada while your work permit extension application is being processed.

Who is not eligible to benefit from this temporary public policy measure?
Anyone who applied for their work permit (initial or extension) after June 7, 2023, is not eligible to benefit from this temporary public policy measure.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

  • If you elect to study at McGill without a study permit under this temporary public policy, you will not be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. You must have a study permit and study full-time to be eligible for the PGWP.
  • If you elect to study at McGill without a CAQ and study permit under this temporary public policy, you are not required to be enrolled on a full-time basis. However, please note that departmental policies may still require full-time enrollment as a condition of your program.
  • If you’re a worker who is studying full time and considering applying for Permanent Residency, your work experience will not count toward your eligibility for the Canada Experience Class or for gaining Canadian work experience points under the Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
  • If you’re a worker who is studying full time and considering applying for Permanent Residency, your full-time studies will count toward the Federal Skilled Worker Program adaptability and Express Entry CRS points, but only if you study at a designated learning institution (DLI) that offers PGWP-eligible programs, which McGill is and does.

NOTE: This public policy is in effect until June 27, 2026 and may be revoked at any time, without prior notice. For more details, please visit the and websites.

2. How long can I study at McGill without a CAQ or study permit under this temporary public policy measure?

  1. If you meet the eligibility requirements of this temporary policy and your work permit was issued to you on or before June 7, 2023, you can study without a CAQ and study permit until the earliest of the two following dates:
  • the expiry date on your work permit; OR
  • June 27, 2026 (the date IRCC’s temporary public policy expires)
  1. If you meet the eligibility requirements of this temporary policy, and you had a work permit extension application in progress on June 7, 2023, you can study without a CAQ and study permit until the earliest of the three following dates:
  • the expiry date on your approved work permit extension;
  • the date your work permit extension application is refused (if applicable); OR
  • June 27, 2026 (the date this temporary public policy expires)

3. My work permit will expire before I complete my program. Do I need a CAQ and study permit?

You will need to and if:

  • Your courses, degree or program length will extend beyond the validity of your current work permit (to cover the period you will be studying after its expiry); or
  • Your work permit extension application is refused.

Provincial Attestation Letter

1. What is the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and how do I obtain it?

 now requires  most undergraduate international students to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to apply for their study permit.

In Quebec, the CAQ will also serve as the PAL. For your CAQ to act as your PAL, it must include the following line: “This letter of attestation confirms that the applicant has a place in the Québec share of the distribution of study permit applications or that he or she has been exempted."

If you applied for your study permit before 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024, you do Դdz require the above line on your CAQ. 

If you received a CAQ without the PAL line, you need to request an updated CAQ attestation letter from Immigration Quebec via their . Please review  on the Immigration Quebec website. For students who apply for a CAQ after Feb 13, 2024, their CAQ will automatically have the PAL line.

You can upload your CAQ in both the CAQ and PAL section of the study permit application.

International students renewing their study permits in Canada are not required to provide a PAL (subject to change in 2025-26)

International Graduate Students are exempt from the requirement of the PAL, but must still obtain a CAQ (subject to change in 2025-26)

2. I am a graduate student (Masters or PhD) applying for a study permit, do I require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?

No, graduate students are exempt from the requirement of the PAL for their study permit applications (subject to change in 2025-26). However, they are still required to obtain a CAQ.

When applying for the study permit, you should answer these questions in the following manner in order to not have the PAL as a requirement on your study permit document checklist:

  • Do you have a provincial attestation letter? No

  • Do you qualify for an exception? Yes

  • Which exception do you qualify for? I am an applicant who meets another exception listed on the IRCC website.

3. The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is on my document checklist for my study permit renewal, do I need to provide a PAL for a renewal?

If you are applying for a study permit renewal inside of Canada, you are exempt from the requirement of the PAL.

When applying for the study permit renewal you should answer these questions in the following manner in order to not have the PAL as a requirement on your study permit document checklist:

Do you have a provincial attestation letter? No

Do you qualify for an exception? Yes

Which exception do you qualify for?I am an applicant who meets another exception listed on the IRCC website.

Please note, if you are applying for the study permit from outside of Canada, you will be required to provide a PAL for your study permit application. In Quebec, the CAQ will serve as the PAL. For your CAQ to act as your PAL, it must include the following line: “This letter of attestation confirms that the applicant has a place in the Québec share of the distribution of study permit applications or that he or she has been exempted."

If your current CAQ does not include this remark, you must either apply to renew your CAQ (if it is expiring at the same time as your study permit) or request that your current CAQ be amended to include the PAL remark via the .

4.I am a graduate student and therefore I am exempt from requiring the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), do I still need a CAQ?

Yes, graduate students still require a Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ) and a study permit to study at McGill.

International students who are exempt from requiring the PAL, still need a CAQ.

Back to top