Study Permits & Visas

Step 1 – Begin the study permit application

The first step is to sign up for a BorderPass account to begin the preparation of your study permit application for Immigration Canada. BorderPass provides comprehensive support for study permit applications, including expert review and filing by Canadian immigration lawyers. As a result of our partnership, the legal fees are covered by TWU for your application.

This process starts with completing the "Getting Started" assessment along with uploading the documents required by Immigration Canada. You must complete this step as part of your admissions process. Your Enrolment Advisor will provide you with instructions for this upon admission.

Step 2 – Wait to hear back from TWU

After you complete the questionnaire, Trinity Western University staff will provide you with your next steps. Please wait to hear from TWU admissions staff before making a tuition deposit.

Step 3 – Pay the international student deposit 

To proceed, you will need to pay the international student enrolment deposit, and sign and return the TWU refund policy. This deposit is non-refundable* and signifies your commitment to attend Trinity Western University. The deposit will be applied towards your tuition fees and is not an additional cost.

*Deposits will only be refundable in the event that a study permit cannot be obtained.

Step 4 – Receive your TWU Letter of Admission (LOA) and provincial attestation letter (PAL) 

Once the deposit and signed Refund Policy have been received, you will be sent your official letter of admission (LOA) and PAL from Trinity Western University. You can now complete and submit your study permit application through BorderPass.

Step 5 – Complete the study permit application  

Our partnership with BorderPass will help make the process of applying for a study permit easier. 

With BorderPass, you will be provided with the following: 

• A secure online platform for study permit application preparation, review, and filing services.
• Expert guidance and legal support—access to trusted Canadian immigration lawyers, who will guide you through the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with immigration regulations.
• Continuous monitoring of visa status, important dates, and immigration documents.
• In the event of a visa denial, access post-refusal support through BorderPass, offering expert guidance and assistance to appeal your refusal or strengthen your reapplication
• Ongoing benefits: Enjoy additional perks such as ongoing Express Entry score tracking and discounted rates on follow-on visa services.

Find IRCC study permit processing times online. Given the processing times, we strongly recommend accepted applicants apply for their study permits as soon as possible.  

If you transfer from another Canadian institution to Trinity Western University, you will need to apply and be approved for TWU’s study permit before studying at TWU. As soon as you receive a Letter of Acceptance and provincial attestation letter (PAL) from TWU, you should apply for a new study permit. Please follow the steps above for “Studying in Canada for 6 months or more". 

Eligible high school students may start their studies at Trinity Western University (TWU) while your study permit application is in process, provided that you meet the following criteria:

• You are an international student who is currently completing, or has completed, high school in Canada; and
• You submitted your TWU study permit application prior to the expiry of your current study permit.

Please be sure to review IRCC's Changing DLIs page and scroll down to "If you’re moving from secondary to post-secondary levels". 

If you have not yet submitted your TWU study permit application, please do so without delay, as IRCC’s processing times can vary and fluctuate.  

How to Apply

If you are currently in Canada, you should apply for a new TWU study permit by extending your existing permit as soon as possible, provided your current study permit is still valid.

Trinity Western University mandates the submission of proof of study permit approval before you may begin your courses. If your study permit application is delayed, you may consider applying to defer your admission. Please contact you enrolment advisor or admissions@twu.ca if you will not be receiving your study permit before the first day of class.

If your spouse, common-law partner, or any dependent children wish to accompany you to Canada, they are advised to apply for their immigration documents at the same time you apply for your study permit. Please visit the IRCC website to learn more about studying in Canada as a minor and spousal work permits.

We recommend applying for a study permit online via the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website (please follow the steps above under "Studying in Canada for 6 months or more"). However, you may submit your study permit application upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry (such as your airport of arrival or land border crossing) if you fall into one of the following categories:

• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States (US)
• An individual who has been lawfully admitted to the US for permanent residence
• A resident of Greenland or Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Come prepared

Fill out the IRCC application form ahead of time and prepare the following documents to present upon arrival:

• Proof of citizenship
• A secondary piece of official identification
• Your official letter of acceptance
• Application fee
• Provincial attestation letter (PAL)
• Proof of funds

Visit IRCC's Study Permit page for more information about making a study permit application upon entering Canada. 

When you arrive at the port of entry, tell the officer that you would like to apply for a study permit.