Immigration Support
Disclaimer: Please note that the information presented below is subject to change.
For up to date information, we encourage you to visit www.cic.gc.ca
Updated on: November 13, 2023
Welcome to the Immigration Support page for Alpha College students!
On this page you will find important information about documentation required for international students in Canada. If you are a current Alpha College student and need immigration support, please contact us at immigrationsupport@slc-alpha.ca.
On this page:
Study Permit Information
The study permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Make sure you have all the documents you need before you apply. You should apply before you travel to Canada.
As a study permit holder, it is your responsibility to maintain a valid study permit. Students without a valid study permit must stop studying immediately and restore status within 90 days. Studying without a valid study permit will negatively affect all future applications.
To apply for a study permit, please follow these steps:
1) Create an account/sign in – IRCC Website
2) Complete the questionnaire & select the study permit option
3) Upload supporting documentation & your completed application form
4) Submit and pay the application fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While a study permit allows you to study in Canada, a Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization allows you to enter Canada. For most international students, a visitor visa or eTa is required. Please check IRCC website for the list of countries with requirements.
International students who intend to study in Canada for more than 6 months are required to have a study permit.
Yes. Once you receive your offer of Admission from St. Lawrence College at Alpha College, please pay your first semester fees and change the designated learning institution (DLI) number on the Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada website. The DLI number is O19332845222.
The Student Direct Stream is currently open to residents of selected regions. To learn more, please review the requirements and eligibility here.
Currently the cost to process a study permit is $150 per person. Please note, the fee is subject to change. For up to date information pertaining to fees, please visit here.
Study Permit Extension
This step is required for students who have a study permit that is set to expire before completing your program.
As a general rule of thumb, you are expected to request for an extension of your study permit at least 2-3 months prior to the expiry date of the current one.
Once approved, you may apply to extend your temporary residence visa (TRV).
To apply for a study permit extension, please follow these steps:
1) Log in to your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account & under ‘Start an Application’ section, select the ‘Apply to come to Canada’ option
2) Select ‘visitor visa, study and/or work permit’ when prompted to ‘determine your eligibility and apply online’
3) Complete the questionnaire – when prompted, select the Study Permit option as you are applying to extend your Study Permit
4) Submit and pay the application fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Please ensure you apply to extend your Study Permit at least 2-3 months prior to the expiry date of your current Study Permit. Failure to do so on time, may result in having to withdraw from your program.
Please have the following documents prepared for the online application:
- An Enrolment Verification letter (COE) from Alpha College of Business and Technology
- Proof of academic standing (copy of official transcript)
- Proof of financial support
- A copy of your valid Passport
- A copy of your valid Study Permit
- A digital photo
For more information, please refer to the Document Checklist
Please note that the required documents may change from time to time.
Please contact our student services to assist you with this request at frontdesk@slc-alpha.ca
Yes. You will need to apply for an extension of your study permit, even if your permit is expiring one month after your studies are completed.
Processing times can vary, but often take up to 3 months or even longer. You may check processing times here (updated weekly)
Currently the cost to process a study permit extension is $150 per person. Please note, the fee is subject to change. For up to date information pertaining to fees, please visit here
You may still study in Canada as you patiently wait for your extended study permit. To learn more, please visit the maintained status page. You may also check the status of your application here and if you wish, you may contact the IRCC to submit an enquiry about your application status.
We are sorry to hear that. You will need to apply to restore your status within 90 days of the expiration date of your study permit. It is important to note that during this time, you will not be allowed to study or work in Canada until your status is restored. However, you are welcome to stay in Canada until a decision is made on your application. For further assistance, you may contact us by email at immigrationsupport@slc-alpha.ca or by phone at 416-640-0161. You may also learn about the process to apply for a restoration of your study permit here
Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Information
To apply for a PGWP, please follow these steps:
1) Log in to your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account
2) Complete the questionnaire & select the ‘Post-Graduate Work Permit’ option
3) Upload supporting documentation, along with your completed application form
4) Submit and pay the application fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you have not done so already, please apply for a SIN from Service Canada. This step is required in order to be eligible to work in Canada.
You must apply to PGWP within 180 days of completion of your program. You must have a valid study permit when applying for your PGWP.
Before you can apply for a PGWP, you need the following to prove you’ve completed your studies:
- a degree or diploma or
- a confirmation of graduation letter from St. Lawrence College and
- a copy of your transcript from your SLC.me portal
How you can apply for a PGWP depends on where you’re applying from. In most cases, you must apply online.
For more information, please refer to this checklist
Please note that the required documents may change from time to time.
Transcripts and Confirmation of Graduation are available at slc.me portal. If you want to learn how to access you SLC.me portal, please click here.
Yes. You will need to apply for an extension of your study permit, even if your permit is expiring one month after your studies are completed.
Currently the cost to process a PGWP is $255 per person.
The fee to restore your status as a student ($350)
Please note, the fee is subject to change. For up to date information pertaining to fees, please visit here.
You can work full-time while waiting for a decision on your post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application if, at the time you submitted your application, all of the following applied to your situation:
- You had a valid study permit.
- You had completed your program of study.
- You were eligible to work off campus without a permit.
- You did not work off campus more than 20 hours a week during academic sessions.
New work rules for international students
The Government of Canada has announced that international students who are in Canada and have permission to work off campus will no longer be limited to work 20 hours or less each week.
This temporary change comes into effect on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, and will continue until Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
To work full-time hours off campus after Nov. 15, 2022, international students must have:
- a valid study permit and your study permit application or study permit extension was received by IRCC on or before Oct. 7, 2022
- started a full-time St. Lawrence College program that is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate and have full-time student status
- study permit shows that you’re authorized to work off campus
- have received a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
If you do not meet the conditions noted above, you may work up to 20 hours per week.
Please note:
- for current study permit holders, if you have a study permit extension received after Oct. 7, 2022, and your current study permit expires between Nov. 15, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2023, you may work full-time hours until Dec. 31, 2023 or the expiry date of your current study permit, whichever comes first.
It is very important that international students balance their study and work commitments.
Temporary Residence Visa
A Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) verifies that you have met the requirements for entry into Canada as a temporary resident. It is recommended for students to ensure their TRV is valid in the event they need to travel or visit your home country, unexpectedly.
As a general rule of thumb, you are expected to request for an extension of your TRV at least 3 months prior to your planned departure from Canada.
In case your study permit is expiring soon, it would be advisable to renew the study permit prior to applying for a TRV extension. Please note, that a valid TRV is required for re-entry into Canada (even if you currently a hold a valid study permit).
To apply for a TRV extension, follow these steps:
1) Log in to your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC) account (application form: IMM5257)
2) Complete the questionnaire
3) Submit and pay the application fee
4) Once complete, you will receive an email from IRCC requesting for your original passport to be mailed. IRCC recommends that you purchase both options (A and B) below from Canada Post:
(A) One prepaid letter-sized (318 x 241mm) Regional Canada Post Xpresspost envelope, &
(B) One prepaid standard-sized (260 x 159mm) Post Xpresspost envelope
The first envelope will be used to send your passport to IRCC, and the second envelope will be used by IRCC to mail back your passport to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is strongly recommended, as you will not be able to re-enter Canada without one. Once expired, you will need to apply for a new visa
At least 3 months prior to your planned departure from Canada. Please remember that you must obtain a study permit first (if expiring soon, please apply for an extension of study permit) before applying for a TRV.
Please have the following documents prepared for the online application:
- Recent education transcript from Alpha College of Business and Technology
- Canadian study permit
- Enrollment letter (COE) from Alpha College of Business and Technology
- Passport
- Proof of means of financial support
- A digital photo
For more information, please visit the IRCC website.
Please note that the required documents may change from time to time.
Processing times can vary, but often take up to 3 months or even longer. You may check processing times here (updated weekly)
Currently the cost to process a TRV extension is $100 per person. Please note, the fee is subject to change. For up to date information pertaining to fees, please visit here
