Applying for your study permit with BorderPass

BorderPass is a trusted Canadian legal technology company that offers end-to-end immigration application support for newcomers to Canada. Through the U of A’s partnership with BorderPass, newly admitted international students receive access to the platform, which combines technology and Canadian immigration lawyers to ensure study permit applications are complete, accurate, and professionally reviewed. BorderPass’s support team and lawyers will be available to assist you every step of the way.

BorderPass is for degree-seeking students (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) who have received their U of A Letter of Acceptance. Students who are visiting, on exchange, or pursuing a diploma should use the general study permit information and consult with an International Student Specialist.

As a U of A student, you will receive a free annual membership, plus an additional six months post-graduation, including;

  • Legal Expertise: Applications prepared on BorderPass are reviewed and filed by Canadian immigration lawyers on your behalf through a professional representative portal rather than a personal GCKey.
  • Success Rates: While approval cannot be guaranteed, BorderPass ensures each application is complete, accurate, and professionally reviewed, helping to reduce the risk of refusal. If your study permit is refused, applicants also have the option to challenge an IRCC decision in federal court through BorderPass’ Judicial Review.
  • Essential Tools: Membership includes a secure Document Vault, a centralized Application Hub for all permit and visa needs, and ongoing Express Entry tracking for future pathway planning - along with continued access to support and immigration lawyers.

Sign up for BorderPass

Application Process

The BorderPass platform provides a step-by-step guide. You will also receive email notifications for key dates/reminders and can track everything in your "Application Hub."

No. Applications are submitted through a professional Lawyer’s IRCC Representative Portal. You should track your status through your BorderPass dashboard rather than the IRCC website.

Once you submit your documents for review, it takes up to 5 business days. If your application is complete upon submission and requires no changes, it may be submitted sooner.

No. Approval is always at the discretion of the Canadian government (IRCC). However, having a lawyer review your file ensures it is as strong and accurate as possible.

Contact BorderPass for help with your study permit application through the chatbot in your account.

Yes. You can use the platform to submit applications for your spouse/partner and minor children.

Privacy & Data Security

You and BorderPass: Have full access to your documents and data.
University of Alberta: ISVS Staff cannot see your private documents. They can only see basic info (name, nationality, program) and your application progress to help support you.

University of Alberta Privacy Policy

Yes. BorderPass is SOC 2 Type II compliant, which is a high professional standard for data security. Read more about the privacy policy

BorderPass may keep records as required by Canadian law and provincial Law Society guidelines. You can request to have your documents destroyed, but some data must be kept for legal record-keeping. Provincial Law Society’s Guidelines on Retention and Destruction.

Membership & Access

No. As a University of Alberta student, your BorderPass subscription is free. You are only responsible for paying the standard Government of Canada fees. Your free subscription includes:

  • Study Permit Support: Full assistance with your application.
  • Legal Access: Direct access to Canadian immigration lawyers.
  • Refusal Protection: If your Study Permit is refused after applying through the platform, BorderPass provides free legal support to assist with a reapplication and Judicial Review. You are responsible for nominal administrative fees.

Your access to BorderPass is tied to your status at the U of A:

  • During your studies: Free for the entire duration of your program.
  • After graduation: Continued free access for six months after you complete your studies.
  • Upon withdrawal: If you withdraw from the university, your free access remains active for six months following your withdrawal date.

This partnership is specifically for students currently enrolled at the University of Alberta. Your access will remain active until the end of your current study term; then it will lapse. You can choose to purchase a private subscription after that.

Yes, you can opt out whenever you like. However, you will lose access to the Document Vault, the Application Hub, legal support, and automated visa tracking. BorderPass Terms of Use.

After you graduate, you will still have 6 months of free access to BorderPass to help you transition into your next step.

BorderPass provides two options. You can reapply or pursue judicial review. BorderPass offers one year of free legal support for those who initially applied through the Platform. You are responsible for nominal administrative fees.

Applicants who did not use BorderPass for their initial study permit application will incur higher additional costs for these services; however, they are significantly discounted from the market rate.

Learn more about fees and the re-application process

You will lose access to BorderPass. All document copies are stored in the Document Vault from which you can download certain documents. Contact the BorderPass team if you need assistance. It is always a good practice to save all your documents yourself for future use.

Contact and Support

BorderPass staff are highly responsive and will assist throughout your application process. Log in to BorderPass and use the chatbot to engage with their support team, or visit Resources in your dashboard, which includes helpful articles, video tutorials, immigration tips, and more. Contact BorderPass

You can choose to share your immigration status and journey with University of Alberta staff, who will continue to support you with immigration and other questions during your time at the University. Contact Us