To request your PAL:

Step 1: Log in to goSFU and confirm your personal and contact information.

• Make sure your name matches your passport.
• Upload an unofficial copy of your passport when requested.
• Update your contact details if you're currently outside Canada.

Need help accessing goSFU? Follow these instructions.

Step 2: Accept your offer of admission and pay your admission deposit fee in goSFU. 

Step 3: Wait for your PAL to be processed. You’ll hear back from SFU within 5–7 business days only if step 1 & 2 are fully completed. The PAL will be delivered via email to the email address you put on the admission application. 

If you're already in Canada and have a valid study permit (e.g. high school or college/university transfer student), you must apply for a new SFU study permit to study at SFU. A PAL is required unless you meet an exemption. Learn more about IRCC’s regulations for changing DLIs.

Follow the same PAL request steps listed above for undergraduate students.

NEW: Students coming to SFU to pursue Master’s and Doctoral degree programs will be PAL exempt starting January 1, 2026. See our 2026 PAL Requirements newspost for more details. 

One-term Exchange Students

If you're coming to SFU for one academic term as an exchange student, you do not need a study permit, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidelines. This means a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is not required. 

While a study permit isn’t mandatory, you may still benefit from having one, especially if you plan to work while in Canada (you may be able to do so as a study permit holder if you meet IRCC work eligibility requirements). If you choose to apply for a study permit, you’ll be exempt from submitting a PAL with your application. A letter of acceptance from SFU and PAL exemption letter would be required to apply.

➡️ For more information, see our PAL Exemption guide.  

Two & Three Term Exchange Students

If you’re studying at SFU for two or three terms (more than 6 months) as an exchange student, you will need a study permit to study in Canada. As an exchange student you are exempt from submitting a PAL with your study permit application. 

➡️ For details on how to apply for a study permit, visit the SFU Study Permit page.

One-term Study Abroad Students

If you're attending SFU for one-term as a study abroad student, a study permit is not required, and SFU cannot issue a PAL.

Depending on your citizenship, you may need either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

➡️ Check what immigration document you need. 

• According to IRCC, if you're extending your study permit for the same level of study (e.g., undergraduate to undergraduate), you are PAL exempt.

Review our instruction guides for more information on how to extend your study permit.

• If your study permit has expired, you’ll need to apply for a new study permit before returning to SFU.
• In most cases, a PAL will be required unless you meet one of the PAL exceptions as outlined by IRCC.

If you’re no longer active within your academic program (e.g. undergraduate students who have been absent from SFU for three or more consecutive terms, students who are required to withdraw, etc.) you’ll need to apply for reactivation or readmission before requesting a PAL.

• Undergraduate Students: Reactivation and Readmission.
• Graduate Students: Returning to Studies.

Undergraduate Students

If it's your first study permit refusal, please send all correspondence you have received from IRCC to intl_advising@sfu.ca.

Graduate Students

If you are a Master's or Doctoral degree seeking student who will re-apply for your study permit on or after Jan 1, 2026, you do not need a PAL.