Study Permits
Apply with BorderPass
Once you’ve been admitted to Regent College, the next step for international students is to apply for your Canadian study permit. Regent College has partnered with BorderPass to help you secure your study permit and begin your academic journey as part of the Regent community. BorderPass is a secure online platform that walks you through the study permit application process, including review by Canadian immigration lawyers prior to filing your application, to help increase the likelihood of a successful study permit application.
Apply for Your Study Permit Using BorderPass
Through BorderPass at Regent College, you have access to:
- A secure online platform for study permit application preparation, review, and filing services. BorderPass submits your study permit application to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on your behalf.
- Guidance and support from Canadian immigration lawyers who will walk you through the entire study permit application process to ensure accuracy and compliance with Canadian immigration regulations.
- Monitoring of visa status, reminders of important deadlines, and tracking of immigration documents.
- Additional services such as spousal permits, visitor visa applications, study permit extension applications, and other immigration services are available at preferred rates.
Regent College covers the BorderPass subscription fee to allow you to access these services. You will be responsible for the IRCC fees for study permit processing ($150 CAD) and a BorderPass administrative fee ($50 CAD). Contact your admissions counsellor if you have any questions about your study permit application process.
About Study Permits
Who Needs a Study Permit?
International and American students who wish to study at Regent will need to apply for a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This process can take months for international students, so we recommend that you start early.
Regent College is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with the Canadian federal government (DLI: O19283912352).
IRCC requires Regent College to report on your enrollment status (e.g., full-time, part-time, etc.) at the beginning of each academic year.
Process
You must apply for your study permit outside of Canada. You can apply online through our BorderPass partner or through the IRCC website.
Once your application is accepted, the Canadian Embassy, Consulate, or Immigration Office will provide you with a letter of introduction regarding their decision. You must present this letter to the Immigration Officer at the Canadian port of entry. Do not leave for Canada until you have received your letter of introduction.
Required Documents
- Official Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter from Regent College.
- Proof of Funds: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your first year tuition and living expenses for one year for yourself and any family members who accompany you (See IRCC website for details).
- Valid Passport: If your passport will expire during your first year of study, you should renew your passport before beginning the application process for your study permit.
- Medical Examination: Depending on your country of citizenship and where you are currently living, IRCC may require a medical exam. It can take several months for the medical exam results to be processed.
- Biometrics: You will need to provide fingerprints and a photo to confirm your identity.
Other Considerations
Please note the following details if you are in one of these situations.
Already in Canada on a Study Permit
If you are already in Canada on a study permit and studying at a school other than Regent, double check in the conditions section of your study permit, if it lists a specific school. If it does not, then your study permit will be sufficient at Regent as well. If there is a school listed, then you will need to apply for a new study permit.
Already in Canada with No Study Permit
If you have been visiting Canada or studying English in Canada without a study permit, you must apply for a study permit in order to attend Regent. You must apply for this at a Canadian Consulate, Embassy or Immigration Office outside of Canada. The closest consulate to Vancouver is located in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Coming to Study for Less than Six Months
If you study for less than six months and are not enrolled in a program, you do not need a study permit, but you may want to consider applying for one anyway. Then, if you decide to study longer than six months, you can simply extend your study permit and avoid a complicated application process.
Students from certain countries will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (entry visa), even if they don't need a study permit. See the list of countries that require an entry visa into Canada. You can apply for this visa through your local Canadian embassy or consulate. We recommend that you apply for a multiple entry TRV (Temporary Resident Visa).
If you are not enrolled in a program and need to apply for a study permit or visitor's visa, you will need your Term Invoice. A copy of your Term Invoice may be obtained online through REGIS, our student account portal, once you have been issued a Regent Login. You may also request a letter officially verifying your registration, or email [email protected].
Document Checklist
Before you leave home, make sure all your documents are in order. Make photocopies of important original documents and keep the photocopies in a safe place at home, or with a friend for safekeeping.
- Valid passport and/or official government-issued identification
- Letter of Introduction from Canadian Embassy, Consulate or Immigration Office (except US citizens)
- Temporary Resident Visa (if required for your country) or eTA
- Proof of funds available
- Identification document with photo
- Driver’s License or International Driver’s License, driving insurance records (plus vehicle registration and insurance papers if you are bringing your car)
- Medical records, immunization records
- Medical insurance documents (if you are going to rely on medical insurance from your home country)
- Credit card(s)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Two years of official school records for school-age children
Extending Your Study Permit
Your study permit can be extended. You need to start the process 3-4 months before your study permit expires. You are also advised to visit the IRCC website for current processing times. Before you apply to extend your study permit through IRCC, you will need to fill out the Request for Study Permit Renewal Letter from Regent College. Your renewal request letter will then be ready for pick-up at Reception one week after we receive your form.
Once you’ve picked up your Study Permit Renewal Letter, you must complete the Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada found here.
Note: Your study permit renewal requires you to renew your BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) and Social Insurance Number (SIN). If you have further questions, please see the Associate Dean of Students or e-mail [email protected].
