IRCC Study Permit Requirements
Students studying in a University of Calgary program that takes more than six months to complete require a study permit. This includes Continuing Education's International Professional Programs. If you choose to take consecutive programs, we recommend that you apply for all programs at the same time. This allows you to apply for a study permit that covers the duration of both programs.
Once you have completed your registration and paid the necessary fees for admission to your program, you will be provided with a Letter of Acceptance (LOA). You will require a valid passport, proof of financial support, photograph, Letter of Acceptance, and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to apply for a study permit. Students taking multiple International Professional Programs may take up to one term off (max 150 days) between programs without impacting their immigration status or the ability to extend their study permit.
Students can apply online for a study permit with the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). Depending on the country from which you are applying, processing times can take several months. We strongly advise you to apply for your study permit as soon as possible, but at least three months prior to the start date of your program.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
As of January 2024, the Government of Canada requires that all new study permit applicants need a PAL from the province in which they intend to study.
Do I require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
| Your Status | Attestation Letter |
|---|---|
| I have a study permit for my IPP program | Exempt. No attestation letter is required. |
| I am a current IPP student looking to take a second IPP program | Attestation letter may be required in future. |
| My program of study is less than 6 months long (eTA and TRV) | Not applicable. No attestation letter is required. |
| I have not yet applied for a study permit | Required. |
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Requirements
Effective November 1, 2024, applications for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) must meet two new requirements to be eligible. This does not affect PGWP applications submitted prior to November 1, 2024.
New PGWP eligibility requirements:
- Language requirement:
All students, even those who attained their study permits before November 1, 2024, are required to meet new language requirements. Students must provide proof of language ability when submitting their PGWP application. For IPP programs, students must submit a test result proving their English ability is at a minimum level of CLB 7. The test result must be less than two years old at the time of application. See the IRCC website for acceptable test results. - Field of study requirement
Students who obtained their study permits on or after November 1, 2024 must graduate from a program linked to occupations identified as being in long-term shortage by the federal government. Further changes to the field of study requirement were announced in June 2025. To help you make an informed decision about your studies with University of Calgary Continuing Education, we provide the CIP code (Classification of Instructional Programs) details for each program. These details are intended to support your planning; however, please ensure you verify the CIP code and related eligibility with the most current information on the IRCC website.
For more details about the PGWP requirements, see Work in Canada after you graduate (Government of Canada).
How do the PGWP eligibility requirements affect me?
| Your Status | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) |
|---|---|
| I have a PGWP | New requirements are not applicable. |
| I applied for a PGWP prior to November 1, 2024 | New requirements are not applicable. |
| I applied for a study permit prior to November 1, 2024 AND will apply for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024 | The following new requirement is applicable:
|
| I will apply for a study permit AND PGWP on or after November 1, 2024 | The following requirements are applicable:
|
| I will apply for a study permit AND PGWP on or after June 25, 2025 | The following requirements are applicable:
|
Spousal open work permits
Under the current regulations, the program streams that are part of the IPP are considered post-diploma graduate programs at the undergraduate level and do not qualify spouses of our students for open work permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain an attestation letter from the Government of Alberta?
Upon registration and payment in your program (IPP or ELP), the University of Calgary will request your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of Alberta. Once your PAL is available, Continuing Education will notify you via the email address we have on file. You will then be able to upload your PAL as part of your study permit application.
I am a current IPP student and wish to extend my study permit for a second program. Do I need to get a letter of attestation?
If you are a current IPP student and wish to complete a second program, a letter of attestation is not needed.
In future, international students requesting a study permit extension to begin their next credential in Canada may require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Further details will be confirmed at a later date.
How do I prove my language ability for the PGWP language requirement?
PGWP applicants must submit a test result proving English language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7. Select language test results are accepted. For a list of accepted English tests, see "Language requirements" on Work in Canada after you graduate (Government of Canada).
Are the International Professional Programs (IPP) still eligible for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP)?
The University of Calgary is a registered Designated Learning Institution (DLI). With this designation, IPP is eligible for post-graduate work.
With the PGWP eligibility changes effective November 1, 2024 and June 25, 2025, all available IPP programs are aligned with the new field of study requirements. Due to the revised field of study rules effective June 25, 2025, our Occupational Health and Safety program is no longer eligible for a PGWP and has been discontinued. See how your status is affected by the eligibility changes in the table above.
I need to take a new English proficiency test to meet the new language requirements. Where can I do that?
There are a number of different places that you can book your testing in Calgary. Please search for and book tests that would qualify using the IRCC website as a resource for acceptable test results.
Will my spouse be eligible for an open work permit?
No, our International Professional Programs are considered post-diploma graduate programs at the undergraduate level and do not qualify the spouses of students for the open work permit that has been previously available.
Our English Language Programs are ESL/FSL programs, and the spouses of students do not qualify for open work permits.
I'm coming to IPP from another institution in Canada with a current study permit, do I need to re-apply for another study permit?
Yes, a new study permit is required. Please refer to the IRCC information here.