As an international student in Canada, it is your responsibility to maintain your legal status and comply with all regulations and policies of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Here is the information you need to study at CapU.
Study permits and visas
All international students studying in Canada in a program longer than 6 months require a Study Permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This also applies to students who are refugee claimants, convention refugees or protected persons until their permanent resident status is approved.
Your study permit must list Capilano University as your Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
If you already have a study permit but CapU not listed as your DLI, you must apply for a new study permit by extending your current one. You must receive your new study permit before beginning studies at CapU.
To apply for a study permit, you will need:
- A Letter of Acceptance (LOA); and
- A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), if applicable
Depending on your country of citizenship, you may also need:
Visit the IRCC website to check if you require a TRV or eTA.
Apply for your immigration documents as early as possible to allow enough time for processing before your program starts.
Extending your stay
Be sure your study permit covers the entire duration of your studies at CapU. If not, you must apply to extend your study permit before it expires.
Learn more about extending study permits from the IRCC website.
Working in Canada while studying
International students may work in Canada if they hold a valid study permit with a condition allowing on-campus and/or off-campus work.
To be eligible to work, you must be enrolled full-time in each academic major term. At CapU, this means registering in a minimum of nine (9) academic credits.
Capilano University's Career Development Centre can help you look for a job while in Canada.
Working as part of your program
If your program includes work experience such as a co-op, internship, practicum or field placement, you need to obtain a co-op work permit.
You may apply for a co-op work permit along with your study permit if the work requirement is indicated in your LOA.
If you do not receive your co-op work permit with your study permit, you may apply in Canada using:
- Your valid study permit; and
- A co-op support letter from your program area.
Please contact your program department directly to request a support letter.
Working after graduation
If you want to work in Canada after graduating from CapU, you’ll need to obtain a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Refer to the IRCC website for the most up to date of information.
More information
For more details, see the ‘study permit & post-graduation work permit' section in our Frequently asked Questions for International Students.
Additional information is also available in the Welcome Guide for International Students on eLearn, which you can access once you are officially admitted.