In most cases, you must apply for a study permit before coming to Canada. Please ensure that you have a current Letter of Acceptance from Algoma University before you begin the application process. You can apply for the study permit at a Canadian visa office in your home country or online. Please click here for detailed information on how to apply.

For the most accurate information on application processing times please click here.

Algoma University policy states that students cannot register for classes until the university has received an approved study permit, a Letter of Introduction, or a Passport Request (PPR).

Most international students are not able to begin their studies at Algoma University without a valid Study Permit that names “Algoma University” as the institution.

While there is no specific arrival window for entering Canada, arriving 3 to 4 weeks before the start of your classes is generally considered reasonable. Please ensure that all your travel documents are valid and that you are fully registered for your courses before your travel to Canada.

For Students in Undergraduate Degree and Graduate Certificate programs

• Those who wish to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit and meet conditions to work should be registered full time i.e at least 4 courses (i.e. 10.5 credits or more) during each regular academic semester(not including scheduled breaks).
• Those who are not interested in applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit may enroll in full time or part time studies.

For Students in Graduate Degree program

Students in a Master’s program are required to take the prescribed number and list of courses, as determined for each program. Students following the prescribed course plan maintain full-time status in all semesters of their program. Taking less than the prescribed number of courses results in the student dropping to part-time status. For further questions on your status in graduate degree programs, please contact your Academic Advisor.

• You must complete at least 50% of your program in class within Canada.
• The time spent studying outside of Canada will be deducted from the length of your PGWP.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary measures allowed students to complete more of their program online. However, these measures have largely been phased out. For more information please contact [email protected]

Please refer to p.37 of the Academic Calendar for details around your own scheduled break timings.

For Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) students, Scheduled Breaks are mandatory. 

For students in all other programs, Scheduled Breaks are not mandatory (though strongly recommended).

Scheduled Breaks cannot be moved, changed, or rescheduled to any other semester.

You can work off campus without a work permit if you meet all of these requirements:

• Are a full time student at a designated learning institution (DLI)
• Enrolled in a degree/diploma/certificate program that is longer than 6 months,
• Have a valid study permit with work authorization listed
• Have started studying full-time
• Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Provided that you are eligible to work as per your Study Permit conditions, you may start working on the first day of class for the semester you are registered as a full-time student.

During regular school terms/semesters you can work up to 24 hours per week. You can work more than one job to make up these hours as long as you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit.  If you are on a Scheduled break and were enrolled in full time studies before the break and enrolled in full time studies after the break you can work full time. More details can be found on Work off Campus webpage on canada.ca.

You will submit a Study Permit Extension application yourself, online.

For guidance, please contact your assigned immigration advisor via the Student Portal. Please note that your immigration advisor may answer any questions you may have about the process, but will not complete or submit the document on your behalf. 

If you need a professional to prepare and submit the application on your behalf, you will need to hire a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or an immigration lawyer in good professional standing with CICC, outside the university. They will usually charge a fee for their services.

You should start the study permit extension process at least 30 days before your current permit expires, but it’s recommended to apply well in advance, ideally 150 days before expiry. This allows for sufficient processing time and ensures your status remains valid while your application is being assessed.

Please refer to the  Application for a Study Permit Extension Guide for more information.  

Please note that only browsers that are logged into a @algomau.ca google account may access this guide.

Social Insurance Numbers are usually issued at the Port of Entry, if your Study Permit conditions allow you to work. 

If a Social Insurance Number has not been issued to you at the Port of Entry, you may apply for one at a Service Canada Office in your local area. 

You can also apply online by visiting Service Canada.

Documents required:

1. A valid  primary document to prove your identity and legal status in Canada. 
   • A Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
   • A Study Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
2. A valid secondary document to confirm your identity 
   • A passport (Canadian or foreign)
   • A provincial or territorial ID card or driver’s license
   • Any other government-issued ID

Your Study Permit must always be valid in order for you to legally continue studying in Canada. Since your permit has expired, you must stop all studies and work activities immediately.

Please apply for Restoration of Status as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days from the expiration of your Study Permit. You are not permitted to study or work until you receive a new, valid Study Permit.

Be advised that any missed coursework or grades impacted during this period are a direct consequence of your permit expiring.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the restoration process, please reach out to [email protected] 

Your Study Permit must be valid at the time of your PGWP application. 

Your PGWP application will need a copy of either a Verification of Program Completion (VPC) or a final transcript with all the final grades for your program. Such documents will be made available roughly 3-4 weeks after the last day of the final exam period, which doesn’t give you enough time to apply for a PGWP with your current Study Permit. As such, you may need to apply for a Study Permit Extension.

Please refer to the  Application for a Study Permit Extension Guide for more information.

You are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) only after you have successfully completed your program(s) of study.

Applicants applying for a PGWP within Canada must have a valid study permit at the time of application.  Please note that a study permit becomes invalid on the expiry date printed on the Study Permit or 90 days following program completion, whichever is earlier. 

If you meet the eligibility requirements and wish to apply, you must do so within 180 days of completing your final program.

You will submit a Post-Graduate Work Permit application yourself, online.

For guidance, please contact [email protected] . Please note that your immigration advisor may answer any questions you may have about the process, but will not complete or submit the document on your behalf. 

If you need a professional to prepare and submit the application on your behalf, you will need to hire a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or an immigration lawyer in good professional standing with CICC, outside the university. They will usually charge a fee for their services.

Please note that those who are eligible and interested should apply within 180 days of completing their last program of study.  

Please refer to the Application for a Post Graduate Work Permit Guide for more information.

Please note that only browsers that are logged into a @algomau.ca google account may access this guide

From the university, you will need:

• Verification of Program Completion (VPC) and/or;
• Official Transcript (with all final grades)

Orders for both documents can be placed through your Student Portal.

While the actual length of your own Post-Graduate Work Permit is never guaranteed, those who successfully graduate from our programs may be eligible for the following lengths of Post-Graduate Work Permits:

• 1-year Graduate Certificate programs = up to 1 year
• 2-year Graduate Certificate programs = up to 3 years 
• Bachelor’s Degree programs = up to 3 years
• Master’s Degree programs = up to 3 years 

Please note that your PGWP eligibility may change depending on additional programs you have completed BEFORE our programs, or those that you will complete AFTER our programs. Please contact [email protected] if you have questions around your academic history and PGWP eligibility.