While this fall will be different from other years, Ryerson has a comprehensive series of programs and supports available to help you transition to the university or welcome you back, wherever you are. In order to get your application in the queue, you should apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your offer of admission. With faculty-specific Fall 2020 learning plans confirmed, students can choose to begin studying from outside of Canada if their study permit has not yet been approved.

Effective July 14, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is implementing a temporary two-stage study permit approval process to support new international students beginning a program online this fall, external link.

The temporary process will allow applicants to count the time spent studying online abroad towards their post-graduation work permit if they submit a study permit application prior to September 15, 2020, as long as they are able to satisfy all requirements and receive the full approval of their study permit application at a later date. As services begin to re-open, applicants will be required to submit remaining documents and receive an approved study permit before being allowed to travel to Canada.

The temporary stages for approval are 1) approval-in-principle and 2) eligibility/admissibility.

In order to pass the approval-in-principle stage applicants must provide the following:

An Offer of Admission from Ryerson Sufficient financial support , external link (we recommend demonstrating at least one year of funding). A study permit application must be submitted before September 15, 2020.

Upon providing the above documentation with their study permit application, applicants can begin studying online abroad and have that time count towards their post-graduation work permit (PGWP), provided they meet other criteria and that they eventually receive full approval of their study permit.

An applicant will receive final approval once they have met all eligibility and admissibility requirements, including submitting biometrics and necessary documents such as an immigration medical exam and a police certificate (where applicable). Only once a final approval is received will an applicant be able to travel to Canada - provided travel restrictions have been lifted.

If you decide to begin your academic program prior to receiving your study permit final approval, there are a few important considerations to take into account: