If You Are Outside of Canada and Your Study Permit Is Expiring

If you are currently outside Canada and won’t be able to return before your study permit expires, you must apply for a new Study Permit from outside the country.

 

👉 Visit the IRCC website for instructions on how to apply.

 

Before you apply, make sure to:

  • Write a Letter of Explanation stating that you are a returning student.
  • Prepare your Enrolment Letter and Official Transcripts as proof of studies.
  • Ensure you are registered as a full-time student before requesting these documents from the Registrar’s Office—registration@msvu.ca.

Important Note:

Required application forms and supporting documents may vary depending on your country. Be sure to follow the specific instructions provided by your country’s Local Visa Application Centre.

 

❗ Before submitting your online application, email your documents to your International Student Advisor, Kay Balite, for review. If you have questions about your Study Permit, Visa, or eTA, please contact immigration@msvu.ca.

 

 

 

Immigration Applications for International Students in Canada

This is for current international students who are already in Canada and need help with the following:

  • Renewing or applying for a Study Permit
  • Renewing a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or applying for an eTA
  • Applying for a Co-op/Internship/Practicum Work Permit
  • Applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

⚠️ Important:

If your immigration status (such as your study permit) has already expired, please book an appointment with Kay Balite immediately for support.

 

 

IMPORTANT: Before submitting your online application, send your documents to your International Student Advisor, Kay Balite for review. For any questions related to your student immigration permits, visa, or eTA, please contact immigration@msvu.ca.

  • Kay Balite is certified by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) as a
    Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor. RISIA ID #: S715245.
  • Amy Braye is certified by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) as a
    Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor. RISIA ID #: S718279. 






 









FAQs & GUIDES
















Step-by-Step Immigration Application Guides 











 Invitation Letter Templates








Inviting Family or Friends to Canada


If your family or friends are planning to visit you in Canada — for example, to attend your graduation (convocation) — they may need a visitor visa. To support their visa application, you might need to write an invitation letter for them.


We’ve provided two sample invitation letter templates below to help you.


Important:


Each sample includes TIPs to guide you on what documents to include. These TIPs are just for your reference; do not include them in the letter you send to your family or friends.


 


Invitation Letter Template – for a regular visit  (Word doc)


Invitation Letter Template – for attending your convocation (Word doc)


 


Please Note:


The International Education Centre (IEC) will not write invitation letters for you, and your letter does not need to be signed by IEC staff.





































What steps should I take if my study permit is about to expire?








If you are currently in Canada, you must apply to renew your Study Permit before it expires. Please follow the Step-by-Step Guide listed above for detailed instructions.


If you are outside Canada and unable to return before your permit expires, you will need to apply for a new Study Permit. Visit the IRCC website for instructions on how to apply as an international student.


 


If you have any questions or need help with your application, you can book an appointment with our advisors, Kay Balite or Amy Braye, for personalized support.


Click here to book your online or in-person appointment!


 


NOTE: Make sure to write a letter of explanation stating that you are a returning student. You will also need to submit your enrollment letter and official transcripts as proof of your studies. Before requesting these documents from the Registrar’s Office, ensure that you are registered as a full-time student.












How can I request my Enrolment Letter and Official Transcripts for my application?








Enrollment Letter (Confirmation of Enrollment):


To request your enrollment letter, complete the Letter Request Form and email it to heather.standing@msvu.ca.


If Heather is away, you can send it to stephanie.hale@msvu.ca.


🚫 Do NOT go to the Registrar’s Office in person or email registration@msvu.ca for this letter.


When filling out the form, be sure to select all of the following options:


    

  • Confirmation of Enrolment Letter
    • 

  • Visa Letter
    • 

  • Extension of permit renewal
    • 

  • In the “Other” section under Visa Letter, write “Study Permit extension. PAL exempt.”
    • 



Official Transcripts:


You have two options:


    

  • In person: Visit the Registrar’s Office to receive it immediately.
    • 

  • Online: Click on the link for Transcript Request.
    • 



Unofficial Transcripts:


To download your unofficial transcript, log into MyMount and go to the “Classes and Registration” section. From there, you can access and download a PDF copy.


📌 If official transcripts are delayed, you may submit an MSVU-issued unofficial transcript for your application.












How do I request my Co-op, Internship, or Practicum Letter?








📌 The process depends on your program:


1. Business Administration, Tourism & Hospitality, and Public Relations (Bachelor’s or Diploma)

Email co-op@msvu.ca to request your letter.


2. Applied Human Nutrition or Child & Youth Studies (Undergraduate)

Contact the Administrative Assistant for your department. You can find their contact information on the Mount’s Contact Us.


3. Graduate Students (Practicum or Project Course Requirement)

Email Heather Standing at heather.standing@msvu.ca to request your letter.












When can I start working full-time after completing my program?








If you’re authorized to work under your study permit, you must continue working part-time only until you receive your Eligibility to Graduate Letter (also called a program completion letter) from the Registrar’s Office.


🚫 Once you receive this letter, you must stop working until all of the following conditions are met:


    

  1. You have applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) before your study permit expired.
    2. 

  2. You are waiting for a decision on your PGWP application.
    3. 

  3. You were eligible to work off campus during your studies.
    4. 

  4. You did not exceed the permitted working hours stated on your study permit.
    5. 

  5. You maintained full-time student status throughout your program (except in your final semester, which may be part-time if it was your last term).
    6. 



 


⚠️ Important: Your study permit must still be valid when you receive your completion letter. If your study permit expires before you receive it, you must stop working immediately on the day your permit expires.


👉 For full details on PGWP eligibility and how to apply, visit the official Government of Canada website.












Where can I find the list of IRCC-approved physicians for my medical exam?








You must see a panel physician approved by IRCC for your immigration medical exam.


Use the link below to find an approved doctor near you.


List of IRCC-Approved Physicians by Country




 


The following Panel Physicians are available in Nova Scotia, Canada:


 


City: Dartmouth

Name: Albert Williams

Address: Atlantic Offshore Medical Services (NS),

Quaker Landing, 33 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4P5, CANADA,

Nova Scotia

B2Y 4P5

Email: immigrationNS@aoms.ca

Telephone: + 1 (902) 469-2667

Spoken Languages: English


City: Dartmouth

Name: Deborah PESTELL (Locum)

Address: Atlantic Offshore Medical Services (NS),

Quaker Landing, 33 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4P5, CANADA,

Nova Scotia

B2Y 4P5

Email: immigrationNS@aoms.ca

Telephone: + 1 (902) 469-2667

Spoken Languages: English, French, German


City: Dartmouth

Name: Mohamed Alzrighe

Address: Tacoma Family Medicine,

58-101 TACOMA DR,

Nova Scotia

B2W3E5

E-mail: tacomaime@gmail.com; Website: https://immigrationmedicalns.ca/index.php

Telephone: (902) 444-0404

Spoken Languages: English


City: Dartmouth

Name: Jacques DESROSIERS (1)

Address: Tacoma Family Medicine,

58-101 TACOMA DR, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2W 3E5, CANADA,

Nova Scotia

Telephone: 902-444-0404

tacomaime@gmail.com

Spoken Languages: English


City: Dartmouth

Name: Eric CHAO

Address: Tacoma Family Medicine,

58-101 TACOMA DR, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2W 3E5, CANADA,

Nova Scotia

Telephone: 902.444.0404.

tacomaime@gmail.com

Spoken Languages: English


City: Dartmouth

Name: Peter Macaulay

Address: Atlantic Offshore Medical Services,

Quaker Landing, 33 Ochterloney Street,

Nova Scotia

B2Y 4P5

Email: immigrationNS@aoms.ca

Telephone: + 1 (902) 469-2667

Spoken Languages: English


City: Halifax

Name: Terry Kawchuk

Address: Kawchuk Medical Incorporated,

5991 Spring Garden Road,

Suite 750,

Nova Scotia

B3H 1Y6

Telephone: 902-422-5551

Spoken Languages: English


City: Lower Sackville

Name: Mohamed Alzrighe (2)

Address: Tacoma Immigration Cobequid,

Suite 203-159 Cobequid Rd,

Nova Scotia

B4C 2N1

cobequidmedclinic@eastlink.ca

Telephone: +1 (902) 444-0404

Spoken Languages: English


City: Lower Sackville

Name: Jacques DESROSIERS (2)

Address: Tacoma Immigration Cobequid,

203-159 Cobequid road,

Nova Scotia

B4C 2N1

Telephone: +902-444-0404

Spoken Languages: English


City: Lower Sackville

Name: Jacques DESIROSER

Address: Tacoma Immigration Cobequid,

203-159 Cobequid Road, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, B4C 2Ni, CANADA,

Nova Scotia

B4C 2Ni

Email: cobequidmedclinic@eastlink.ca

Telephone: + 1 (902) 444-0404

Spoken Languages: English


 






















 




 


For personalized advising, please schedule a meeting with your International Student Advisor, Kay Balite or Amy Braye!