US Citizens and US Permanent Residents

If you want to renew your study permit from inside Canada, you can apply online for a Study Permit Extension. Once approved, your new study permit will be mailed to the Canadian address you indicated in your application. Read the Study Permit Renewal Guide before you start.

If you are outside of Canada and your study permit is about to expire, you may be able to apply for the study permit at the POE upon your return to Canada. We recommend you do so before your current study permit expires. Review the new rules regarding applying for the study permit at the port of entry.

Travel to a U.S./Canada land border to apply for a new study permit by exiting Canada and then immediately re-entering Canada is know as "flagpoling". Flagpoling at the border to apply for a temporary resident document has been prohibited in most circumstances. As per the IRCC announcement, U.S citizens may be able to flagpole to apply for a temporary resident document in very limited circumstance.

If you decide to apply for your new study permit at a Port of Entry (e.g. land border or airport), you do not need to complete an application form.

You will need to bring with you:

• Your valid passport
• Your CAQ (certificate or approval letter)
• A proof of enrolment letter from McGill (available on Minerva)
• Recent proof of your financial capacity to pay for your tuition and fees and living expenses for one year of studies
• The processing fee of $150 CAD (CAD or U.S. cash, debit or credit card accepted)
• Fees for biometrics - U.S. Permanent Residents may be required to provide biometrics when applying for their temporary resident documents. U.S. citizens are currently exempt from the biometrics requirement). 
• If you are a minor (under 17 years of age), you must have copies of your custodianship documents on hand. 

Proof of financial capacity:

The border officer may ask you to prove that you have the funds to cover your tuition and fees and living expenses for one year of studies. If you will be completing your studies in less than one year, you must demonstrate that you have the funds to cover the remainder of your studies and stay in Canada.

Examples of proof of financial capacity include:

• Your 4 most recent bank statements and/or a recent bank letter stating your current balance
• The 4 most recent bank statements and/or recent bank letters stating the current balance of the bank account(s) belonging to the person(s) paying your tuition and living expenses. These should be accompanied by a letter from the person(s) and a copy of their ID.
• Proof of financial aid, scholarships, stipends, etc.
• Proof of payment of tuition and related fees
• Proof of payment of student residence fees

See Immigration Canada's website for more examples of how to prove your financial capacity.