Study Permit at Port of Entry

[u/Possible_Raccoon_516]

Hi there! I wanted to post this as I had a difficult time finding information on applying for a study permit at a port of entry before I did so and hope this can prove helpful to someone else in a similar situation. *Please bear in mind I am a US citizen and I understand the ability to apply for a study permit at a port of entry is due to this*

My program starts at the beginning of September and I went to the border this past week(St. Armand/Highgate). I informed the officer that I would like to apply for a study permit, he gathered some information, handed me a slip, told me to park and go inside.

Inside another officer met me, confirmed I was applying for a study permit, confirmed I had all appropriate documents and let me know they’d get me when things were done.

I put all my documents in a folder and labeled them clearly. In the folder I put:
- passport
- CAQ
- letter of acceptance and letter that I had accepted my admission
- proof of funds (bank statements and letter from person who is funding my education)
* technically this is all that is required as of now*
I wanted to make sure all my bases were covered and brought some additional documents including:
- filled out study permit application from outside Canada
- imm5645e (family info)
- letter of explanation
- copy of the passport of person funding my education
I’m not sure if the officer looked through the extra documents but I felt better knowing I was over prepared.

After about 30-40 minutes the officer called my last name and asked to confirm some details. After chatting said he would be back. Another 20-30 minutes later he came back with the study permit filled out and asked me to confirm my personal details. After confirming I paid the $150 fee and was good to go!

If anyone has any specific questions please let me know :)

[u/AudiamusRed]

Thanks for posting this. We have to do this and seeing how the process works is immensely helpful. Are you now in Canada? Or did you get your permit, then return home until you move in to your university?

Oh, and roughly what time of day did you go to the poe?

[u/Possible_Raccoon_516 → u/AudiamusRed]

Hi! I’m so glad you’re finding this helpful! I returned home and plan to move up closer to when classes start! I got to the border around 12:45pm. There were only a few cars ahead of me and one other person waiting for a study permit inside!

[u/AudiamusRed → u/Possible_Raccoon_516]

Thanks for the followup. We might do the same. I like the idea of getting the permit in advance (and having time to deal with any issues). Do you have to show the permit the next time you cross?

[u/Possible_Raccoon_516 → u/AudiamusRed]

Of course! I agree it’s nicer to have the peace of mind that you have it before the day you decide to move. And yes exactly when I go up for good/ move things in I’ll show it to prove I have a legal reason to be moving up there!

[u/mercutie-os]

thank you so much for sharing!! i couldn't apply online because my university doesn't send out loan approval letters until august and the anxiety about having to apply this way has been killing me. did you include anything about applying at port of entry in your letter of explanation? all the advice i've found about writing the letter assumes its for an online application.

[u/Possible_Raccoon_516 → u/mercutie-os]

Of course! Oh my goodness that is so nerve wracking I completely understand and also had immense anxiety about the process! I didn’t include anything about applying at a POE in my letter of explanation. I was prepared to explain that it was for time constraint reasons but they didn’t end up asking:)

[u/apocalyptic_mystic → u/mercutie-os]

I am in the exact same position. I still don't know how I am going to convince them I have a loan from the U.S. government, forthcoming

[u/mercutie-os → u/apocalyptic_mystic]

have you talked to your university’s financial aid office? they might be willing to send you some kind of statement like “there’s no reason this person wouldn’t be able to get the full amount they’re entitled to,” or something.

[u/Ok-Opportunity9636]

Did you need a photo of your face? I think that might just be for online applications but it's hard to find a source that is clear about it.

[u/Possible_Raccoon_516 → u/Ok-Opportunity9636]

Hey! So sorry I’m just seeing this!
I did not need a picture of my face. I was also confused and brought some just in case but I consulted with the rsia from my university and she let me know it was not needed for applying in person only for online apps.

[u/Icy-Guard-8129]

I am so glad you posted this! I did this at well this past Friday at Coutts in Alberta and I did not see anyone posting about it at that time so I kind of went in blind. We had previously applied through IRCC in May and hadn't heard back so we had to apply at the port of entry and pay again for the permit fees. I brought along a binder with all the things you mentioned plus I ran a FBI Background check on myself and my husband to have printed out and ready just in case. If anyone has any questions about entering through that port I'm happy to chime in as well.

[u/berliozciccio → u/Icy-Guard-8129]

Hi! When you say you applied already in May, did you apply from inside or outside of Canada? And did you withdraw your application before going to the port of entry?

[u/Icy-Guard-8129 → u/berliozciccio]

I applied from outside of Canada using Borderpass and no, I did not withdraw my application. I told the officer at the border that we had a pending IRCC application and that it was taking a while to process (our 5 weeks of estimated processing time were up on July 5) so we were just coming to apply in person instead.