2026 | Update on Provincial Attestation Letters
As of September 1, 2025, the required funds for the study permit application purposes have increased. Please see more information here.
IRCC - Study permit: Get the right documentsDocuments verification
Аs a designated learning institution (DLI), the University of Saskatchewan must now verify documents proving acceptance or enrolment for the following applications of international students:
- post-secondary study permit applications submitted outside Canada
- post-secondary study permit applications submitted within Canada including study permit extensions.
All USask international students must use the official USask Letters of Acceptance (LOA) and the official USask Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) Letters for IRCC application purposes. Any alterations to any USask issued documents are strictly prohibited and can result in negative implications for IRCC application and USask admission purposes.
Required Immigration documents
As an international student, you have temporary resident status in Canada. You are required to have the following documents and you are responsible for keeping them valid at all times during your stay in Canada.
1. Passport
Your passport is your most important immigration document. Your Canadian immigration documents will not be issued for a period of time longer than the expiration date on your passport. Learn more about passports here.
2. Study Permit
A study permit is an immigration document issued by the Canadian government that gives you permission to remain in Canada, on a temporary basis, to study. To find out more about how to apply, keep your study permit valid, and comply with the permit conditions, keep reading further below.
3. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Whether you need a TRV or an eTA to travel to and enter Canada depends on your country of citizenship. Everyone (except Canadian citizens, Canadian Permanent Residents and American Citizens) will require either a TRV or an eTA to travel to and enter Canada.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is also commonly known as a visitor visa. When you apply for your initial study permit from outside of Canada, a TRV is issued automatically. It will say "student" visa in your passport.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
An eTA is an electronic visa, obtained through an online application and is usually processed within minutes. When you apply for your initial study permit from outside of Canada, you are automatically issued an eTA.
Immigration documents for your family or friends
As an international student at the University of Saskatchewan, you may be considering inviting your family to visit and/or accompany you during your studies in Canada.
Travelling to and outside of Canada
If you are planning on travelling to or outside of Canada, you must have proper and valid immigration documents to be able to enter/re-enter Canada.
Understanding your immigration status
At the International Student and Study Abroad Centre, we understand that the immigration process can be confusing and complex. However, it is every student’s responsibility to comply with immigration regulations while studying at the University of Saskatchewan.
All students should actively seek to understand the immigration regulations as they apply to them and to use the available resources provided by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you have questions or concerns, please consult the International Student Guide or contact ISSAC to speak with an International Education Officer.
Time away from studies
If you are not registered in your program of study because you are Required to Discontinue, please come talk to ISSAC to discuss the immigration implications this may have and to access or be referred to supports and resources you may need.
If you are an undergraduate international student and are not registered/enrolled in your program of study because of a compassionate, parental, medical, or any other reason, speak to an International Education Officer at ISSAC to enquire about the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) Authorized Leave Request for Undergraduate International Students.
Requests for DLI Authorized Leaves for Undergraduate International Students are handled through ISSAC. An International Education Officer will work with your college to complete the process. The decision on whether to grant or deny the leave is made by your college.
A request for leave is only considered for international undergraduate students for immigration purposes. If your leave request has been approved, when the University of Saskatchewan is required to report on your enrolment status to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you will be reported as being on an “authorized leave” from study.
- Leaves can only be requested for one academic term at a time, up to a maximum of two approved leaves within one academic year (May 1 to April 30).
- No extensions will be granted and each new request will require new supporting documentation.
- Retroactive leaves will not be considered – you can only request a leave by the deadline for registration changes in the Fall and Winter terms only.
- When an international student is on an authorized leave, they are considered to be in compliance with their study permit and may still be eligible for their post-graduation work permit (PGPW). Here is more information about authorized leaves and PGWP eligibility: Post-graduation work permit eligibility requirements - Canada.ca .
- When on a leave, the student can stay in Canada, provided they are legally here - have a valid immigration document, e.g., study permit, visitor record, or go home. However, the student is not allowed to work either on or off-campus while on the leave even if they hold a valid study permit.
- As of Fall 2025, once approved, the leave will be entered into our registration system as a placeholder course.
- As of Fall 2025, the student's confirmation of enrolment will display an approved authorized leave as "Withdrawal from term in student's college" . The student's transcript will display "On Authorized leave" for the affected term.
- Since you will be registered in a placeholder course, the fees below will be assessed: tuition fact sheet 25-26_V16 (002).pdf
- USSU – USSU Undergrad Student Fee
- SSF – Student Wellness and Services
- Health and Dental Coverage: If a student wishes to have health and dental coverage, they can self-enroll as per the usual process during the change of coverage period at an additional cost: (https://www.studentcare.ca/rte/en/UniversityofSaskatchewanundergraduatestudentsUSSU_ChangeofCoverage_SelfEnrolment )
Reporting Enrolment Status
Canadian Designated Learning Institutions Compliance Reporting
Reporting to IRCC International students’ Enrolment Status
Since June 1, 2024, as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada, the University of Saskatchewan is required to report to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the enrollment status of international students who are study permit holders. To learn more about the compliance reporting and student enrollment status options, please visit the IRCC website.
Reporting will take place twice a year at the discretion of IRCC. The University of Saskatchewan will receive an email notification from IRCC when a report becomes available for completion and submission.
The International Student and Study Abroad Centre is taking the lead to report to IRCC the enrolment status of international students. We will be contacting international students if we have questions about their enrollment status at the time of reporting. Please check your PAWS account regularly.
Overview of the Compliance report
The University of Saskatchewan will be completing the Compliance report using the Government of Canada online portal. To overview the structure of the compliance report, please visit the IRCC website here.
There are two types of compliance reporting requests according to IRCC:
- Periodic verification: The report is submitted to the IRCC twice a year usually in the fall and in the winter term, subject to the IRCC notice.
- Ad-hoc verification: Reporting can take place outside of the regular reporting periods upon IRCC’s request.
Staying in Canada permanently
You may choose to apply for permanent residency to stay in Canada permanently. Advisers at ISSAC are not authorized to advise on permanent residency (PR). However, ISSAC hosts workshops on permanent residency. To see when our next workshop will take place check out the events calendar.
More information on PR process:
- Express Entry
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Find a Regulated Immigration Consultant or Lawyer by following tips from IRCC
- Browse the Public Register of the Immigration Consultants
Getting help
Use the International Student Guide to learn about life as an international student at the U of S including immigration matters and information on working and living in Canada.
If you can't find what you need in the International Student Guide contact The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC). We are here to help! Drop-in advising is available.