Frequently Asked Questions for International Students

An international student is a student living in Canada or abroad, that does not have Canadian citizenship, a permanent resident card or refugee status in Canada, and may need a study permit to study in Canada. Students studying for less than six months do not need a study permit. For more information regarding international students, please contact International Education.

The International Education department has two student advisors at each campus who work with our international student population. Please contact International Education. 

Please view the list of educational agents. It is your decision whether or not to use an educational agent.

You can find the list of programs that accept international students  on the International Programs page.

View the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program page for information on programs that may meet the current eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

Yes. Please check the length and start date(s) section on the program webpage. Programs that accept international students can be found on the International Programs page. 

Yes. Programs that accept international students can be found on the International Programs page.

Program bundles are available exclusively to international applicants. These bundles or program packages combine 1-year certificates to make for a two-year term of study. This provides you, as a Sask Polytech international student, more options to obtain a post-graduate work permit. This option allows you to secure your seat and receive acceptance into both programs at the same time. The bundle option is available only at the time of application.

Visit the Program Bundles page for more information. 

Step-by-step instructions to apply to Sask Polytech can be found on the How to Apply page.
 
Be sure to read up on Learning in Saskatchewan items of interest in Sask Polytech and Saskatchewan.

For programs with a September intake, complete your application by May 1 to ensure consideration for programs beginning in September. If you choose to apply after May 1, please remember that combined processing times (Saskatchewan Polytechnic and IRCC) may not give you enough time to begin studies in the fall.  
 
After May 1, international students will be unable to apply for several programs that have been filled with a waitlist. Applications for these programs will reopen in mid-October for the next September intake. 
 
As many of our programs fill up quickly, please apply far in advance of our deadlines. We begin accepting applications in October for programs that start in September of the following year.  
 
For those programs with January intakes, you should apply by October 1. 

No. Colour scanned copies (PDF format is preferred) are acceptable for the initial application/assessment phase. If you are accepted you may be asked to provide the originals for verification when you register for classes. If you have post-secondary transcripts, you may also be asked to have originals sent to us directly from the granting institution.  
 
After you apply you can prepare by arranging for your granting institution to send the documents to: 
Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus, Idylwyld Dr. 
Registration Services, International Admissions 
Box 1520 
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3R5 
 
Visit How to Apply for more information.

Yes, this is a requirement to have your transcripts assessed. Saskatchewan Polytechnic can assess many qualifications but for transcripts or documents not in English or documents that do not clearly state your achievement level, you must ensure that they are translated and notarized. You will need to submit both the notarized copy and the original.

If your application has not yet been assessed, contact us immediately to correct your application.

Once your application is assessed and you receive a letter regarding your assessment you are required to complete a new application. Please apply now if needed.

If a deposit has been paid and you change your program by applying to a different program, you may be required to pay a switch fee for changes made within 60 days of the start date of the program (see the Tuition and Fee Procedure (pdf)). A separate application would be required. Standard application processes would be applied.

Switching programs is not available to students with bundled applications. 

If a deposit has been paid and you change the campus you plan to attend (but not the program), you will be charged a $80 application fee against your deposit (see the Tuition and Fee Schedule (pdf)). This option might not be available to students with bundled applications if the similar bundle is not offered at the alternate campus. A separate application might be required. Please email these requests to international@saskpolytech.ca.

You can fill the appropriate form to withdraw or defer your application. Please refer to our tuition and fee FAQs for refund amounts.

Withdrawing your application is a final admission decision that closes your application status with Saskatchewan Polytechnic. No further letters of offer will be provided on the application. You may reapply should you wish to attend the program in the future.

It will take 4-6 weeks to process your refund, which will be issued through PayMyTuition, Sask Polytech's third-party partner. See Withdrawals, Transfers and Refunds for more information on timelines and refunds.

No, but if you plan on attending the program you have been accepted to in the future, you may want to consider deferring to a future program start date, rather than withdrawing and reapplying. 

Deferring is delaying your attendance to a future intake. Requesting a deferral will provide you additional time to prepare for your studies.

Non-attendance does not automatically give you deferral status and the applicable fee will be applied.

Students who are admitted to a program and have paid their tuition deposit may be eligible to defer their admission to a later intake. See Deferral, Waitlist and Withdrawal Forms for International Students for more information.

If your study permit application has been refused, you must withdraw. The $10,000 deposit payment can only be refunded with a copy of your study permit refusal (less the administrative fee). Your money will be refunded by the method from which it was originally sent. There are no other methods to refund your money.

If you wish to reapply for a study permit, you must withdraw your current application, apply for the program of your choice, pay the application fee and be accepted to the program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Deposits are not held if you decide to reapply. To start the withdrawal process please see Withdrawal and Deferral Form for International Students.

You are required to complete a new application through the standard application process. Once we offer you a seat, you can withdraw your initial application. To start the withdrawal process, please see Withdrawals, Transfers and Refunds.

Many of our programs are in demand and have capacity limits. If a seat is not available in the intake for which you apply, you will be placed on a waitlist. If a seat becomes available, additional applicants are accepted with priority given to those on the waitlist. At this point, you will receive an acceptance letter. This letter will provide information about your learning experience at Saskatchewan Polytechnic including information about the non-refundable deposit, which is applied against tuition and fees. 

If you are interested in a future intake, applicants may request one free deferral or you may apply to the intake of interest.

If you are refused a study permit, you may be eligible to receive a refund of the $10,000 deposit and paid tuition, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form located on MySaskPolytech and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.

Applicants must ensure they have sufficient time to process admission and study permit documents before applying to a program as delays are not considered a refusal.

Tuition at Sask Polytech varies from program to program and is subject to change every year. International students’ tuition is generally higher than the domestic rate on the program information page.

Visit our International Tuition and Fees page to calculate an estimate of the full cost of the program over all years. .

The rates listed for domestic students are the tuition rates Canadian students pay. Sask Polytech requires a Permanent Resident card in order to confirm Canadian residency and reduce an international student’s tuition to the domestic rate. When this proof is provided, the domestic tuition rate is effective for all subsequent terms in the program.

Students entering the first year of studies are required to pay the balance for full year tuition and fees on or before the program start date and are not eligible to pay installments.

Learn more about how to make a payment.

Receipts for payments made through PayMyTuition will be sent to your personal and Sask Polytech email accounts and posted under myElectronicLetters in the mySaskPolytech portal within 48 hours of Sask Polytech receiving the funds.

You can also track your payments though PayMyTuition and download a receipt once payment has been confirmed. 

Upon acceptance into a program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, a non-refundable deposit to a maximum of $10,000 is required to reserve the program seat. This deposit is required within 30 days of receiving a letter of acceptance. The deposit is applied against tuition and fees. See How to Pay for more information on paying your deposit.

Our goal is to provide a quality learning experience to students committed to joining the Saskatchewan Polytechnic community. Late withdrawals from programs do not allow sufficient time to accept the next qualified applicant. Remitting a significant amount of tuition and fees in advance as a non-refundable deposit demonstrates your commitment to attend and helps Saskatchewan Polytechnic to ensure students are able to attend in available program spaces. 

Saskatchewan Polytechnic prefers the deposit payment be made in full in one transaction. If you need to pay your deposit in more than one transaction, the full deposit must be paid within 30 days of receiving your letter of acceptance. If you have paid only a partial deposit within 30 days, your program seat will be offered to the next qualified applicant and the deposit you have paid will be returned due to partial payment. The partial deposit will be returned within 4-6 weeks by the same method payment was made.

If you have been accepted prior to the change in the non-refundable deposit, you have three choices:

• Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid. 
• Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Your updated letter of acceptance will request the updated deposit amount and you will be required to ensure sufficient payments are submitted. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.

*The following does not apply to BScN applicants.

I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.

• You are eligible to receive a full refund on the $10,000 deposit, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.

I have been accepted by my plans have changed. What are my options?

• You have three choices:
  1. Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid. 
  2. Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
  3. Withdraw from the program. Withdrawals will result in a refund less the new required non-refundable deposit. Study permit refusal terms will still apply. Withdrawing form the program results in a refund less the required non-refundable deposit.

I have been accepted but want to defer and start the program at a later date.

• You can defer your application to a future intake if you are unable to attend on your start date. This must be done no later than the fifth day of the program by completing a deferral form. 

I have been accepted and want to withdraw.

• You must complete a withdrawal form located in mySaskPolytech. Any amount paid toward tuition and fees, less the non-refundable deposit, will be returned to you. It will take 4-6 weeks to process your refund, which will be issued through PayMyTuition, Sask Polytech's third-party partner. 
• If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing. 

*The following does not apply to BScN applicants.

The $10,000 non-refundable deposit you have paid is split $7,500/$2,500 between the two programs you have been accepted into. For students accepted into a bundled program, your year one tuition for your first program will have $7,500 of your non-refundable deposit applied to your tuition due, and your year two tuition will have $2,500 of your non-refundable deposit applied to the tuition due for your second program. The $2,500 non-refundable tuition deposit for the second program is applied against tuition owing for that program's semester(s) after July 1.

I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.

• You are eligible to receive a full refund on the $10,000 deposit, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.

I have been accepted but my plans have changed. What are my options?

• You have three choices:
  1. Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid.
  2. Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
  3. Withdraw from the program. Withdrawals will result in a refund less the new required non-refundable deposit. Study permit refusal terms will still apply. Withdrawing form the program results in a refund less the required non-refundable deposit.

I have been accepted but want to defer and start at a later date.

• You can defer your application to a future intake if you are unable to attend on your start date. This must be done no later than the fifth day of the program by completing a deferral form. 

I have been accepted and want to withdraw from the first or last program.

• You must complete a withdrawal form located in mySaskPolytech for the program. The non-refundable deposit you have paid is split between the two programs into which you have been accepted—one program is allotted $7,500 and the other program is allotted $2,500. If you withdraw from one program only, a $2,500 non-refundable deposit fee will be charged. 
• If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing. 

I have been accepted and want to withdraw from both programs.

• You must complete two withdrawal forms—one for each program you have been accepted into. The $10,000 deposit paid to retain your seat is non-refundable and will not be returned to you. Anything paid over $10,000 will be returned. 
• If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing. 

*The following does not apply to BScN applicants.

I have been accepted but have refused a study permit.

• You are eligible to receive a full refund on the $10,000 deposit, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.

I have been accepted but my plans have changed. What are my options?

• You have three choices:
  1. Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid. 
  2. Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
  3. Withdraw from the program. Withdrawals will result in a refund less the new required non-refundable deposit. Study permit refusal terms will still apply. Withdrawing form the program results in a refund less the required non-refundable deposit.

I have been accepted but want to defer the Learn English course and start later.

• You must submit a deferral form no later than the seven days before the start of the Learn English class/course. This will automatically defer your academic program attendance to a future program start date as you are not eligible to begin your program without meeting the English language requirements. The $10,000 non-refundable deposit will be applied toward tuition and fees for a future program intake.
• Any payments made toward the cost of your Learn English course will be returned to you. It will take 4-6 weeks to process your refund, which will be issued through PayMyTuition, Sask Polytech's third-party partner.
• If you do not submit a deferral form seven days before the start of the Learn English class/course or do not attend, you cannot defer your Learn English course to a future start date. You will be required to reapply before your program start date so that your remaining deposit is not forfeited. You will not receive a refund for the cost of the Learn English course.

I have been accepted and want to withdraw from the Learn English course.

• If you have successfully met the English proficiency requirement by an alternate method, you must submit a withdrawal form located in MySaskPolytech seven days before the Learn English course start date. Your original application will convert to a single program application. Any payment made for the Learn English course will be applied toward your program tuition and fees and is non-refundable.
• If you do not submit a deferral form seven days before the start of the Learn English class/course, you forfeit the payment made for the Learn English course and it will not be applied to your program tuition and fees. See the Tuition and Fee Procedure non-credit course section for more information.

I have been accepted and want to withdraw from the academic program.

• If you complete your Learn English course and want to withdraw from the program, you must submit a withdrawal form. The deposit remaining from your $10,000 deposit paid to reserve your seat is non-refundable and will not be returned to you. 
• If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing.

I have been accepted and want to withdraw from the Learn English course and the academic program.

• You must complete two withdrawal forms—one for the course and one for the program program you have been accepted into. The $10,000 deposit paid to retain your seat is non-refundable and will not be returned to you.
• If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing. 

*The following does not apply to BScN applicants.

I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.

• You are eligible to receive a full refund on the $2,500 deposit, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.

I have been accepted but my plans have changed. What are my options?

• You have three choices:
  1. Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid. 
  2. Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Your updated letter of acceptance will request the updated deposit amount and you will be required to ensure sufficient payments are submitted. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
  3. Withdraw from the program Withdrawals will result in a refund less the new required non-refundable deposit. Study permit refusal terms will still apply.  Withdrawing form the program results in a refund less the required non-refundable deposit

I have been accepted but I want to defer and start the program at a later date.

• I have been accepted but want to defer and start the program at a later date. You can defer your application to a future intake if you are unable to attend on your start date. This must be done no later than the fifth day of the program by completing a deferral form. 

I have been accepted and want to withdraw.

• You must complete a withdrawal form located in mySaskPolytech. Any amount paid toward tuition and fees, less the $2,500 non-refundable deposit, will be returned to you. It will take 4-6 weeks to process your refund, which will be issued through PayMyTuition, Sask Polytech's third-party partner. 
• If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing.

Yes, but there are conditions. Please review the IRCC website for details. 

Yes. For more information regarding the post-graduation work permit program please visit the IRCC website.

There are many ways to come to Saskatchewan either temporarily or permanently. Learn about the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and other options for immigrating. 

You will need co-op work permit only if you are in the program that has co-op, practicum, clinical, work placement/experience, industrial attachment.

For more information regarding the co-op work permit please visit the IRCC website. 

For more information regarding the study permit extension please visit the IRCC website. 

Yes, if you are current student at Saskatchewan Polytechnic you can meet with an ISA. To connect with an ISA, please contact International Education.

Yes! As an international student, you can access the support services. See the list of student services you can access.

Yes! In Saskatchewan, health coverage is free with proof of a study permit. In addition, international students are eligible for the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Student Association’s Health and Dental Plan that provides supplemental coverage that may not be included in your Saskatchewan health coverage.

International students are eligible for all achievement scholarships available during their studies at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Currently, there are no entrance scholarships available for internationals students. For information please visit Student Awards. 

No. Please visit the housing registry for a list of accommodation options.

Canada Homestay Network is pleased to offer homestay to Saskatchewan Polytechnic students studying in Saskatoon. Live with a Canadian family while you complete your studies, learn about Canadian culture, and make lifelong friends. Upon acceptance at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, complete the online application.

Yes! In addition to tutors, we have a variety of services for students. Contact Learning Services for more information. 

Please refer to the housing section under Life in Saskatchewan in our International Student Guide.