Requirement for canada offer Letter

Conditional Letter of Acceptance

A Letter of Acceptance may be issued to a potential student stating that the offer of a place in a study program is conditional on the student first completing a prerequisite course or study program. For example, a potential student may be required to complete English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FRSL) course before pursuing the more advanced study program. In these situations, a study permit is issued for the duration of the prerequisite program only. After successfully completing the prerequisite, a student may apply for another study permit for the next study program.

The Letter of Acceptance is mandatory in the application for a Canada study permit. To obtain a Letter of Acceptance, a potential student may first submit an application to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). If he or she is successful, the institution may issue a Letter of Acceptance. 

The Letter of Acceptance is required to state a date of expiry. If processing of the study permit application has not been completed before the expiry date of the Letter of Acceptance, an extension letter may be requested from the institution and submitted to IRCC to support the study permit application.

Immigration, Citizenship, and Refugees Canada (IRCC, formerly known as CIC) provides a template for the Letter of Acceptance, and instructions for completing the required information. It is important to note that a Letter of Acceptance from a DLI is not a guarantee that the study permit application will be approved. It is at the discretion of IRCC to approve an application for a study permit.

Exemptions from the Requirement for a Letter of Acceptance

Certain potential students may be exempt from the requirement for a Letter of Acceptance.

• If a foreign national receives written approval for a temporary work or study permit before entering Canada, his or her family members may apply for a study permit without a Letter of Acceptance.
• Potential students who wish to pursue a study program of six months or less in duration do not need to obtain a Letter of Acceptance, because they do not require a study permit.