International Students FAQ

YES: Bow Valley College is registered as a Designated Learning Institution. Our DLI is # O19273769422. (The first character is the letter “O” followed by eleven numbers: O 192 737 694 22).

Additionally, all of our Certificates, diplomas and post-diploma certificates are listed as Designated Learning programs and are eligible to receive post-graduation work permit PGWP. Please note that Open studies, continuing education, pre-business and pre-health pathways within the High School upgrading courses are not Designated Learning Programs.

When applying for your study permit, you must provide our DLI number along with our Letter of Acceptance.

You may verify the list of Designated Learning Institutions and check if you meet all other criteria to get a post-graduation work permit here.

You can pay the $140 application fee when you submit the application.

However, a minimum confirmation fee of $1500 is required before we can issue a Letter of Acceptance and guarantee a seat for you.

Your application will not be processed until the $140 application fee is received.

Please Note: Both fees are non-refundable.

The non-refundable, non-transferable confirmation fee must be paid within 21 days of receiving notification that you have been accepted into a program. The balance of all tuition and fees owing for each semester are due by the tuition fee deadline.

You can pay fees by Visa, Mastercard, cash (in person only), debit (in person only), or by wire transfer.

See Payment Options.

See the Learner Account Policy.

At Bow Valley College International Students are those who are not Canadian Citizens, Landed Immigrants, Refugees or Permanent Residents of Canada. Anyone who has a study, work or visitor permit would hold an International Student status for the purpose of enrollment at Bow Valley College. If you have any doubts, please contact the International Education Office.

Bow Valley College welcome applications for International Students that are made through an agency. However, the International Education Office is also happy to work with International Students directly to support their registration process for any program at Bow Valley College.

For more information on the steps to apply directly please refer to or for confirmation that your agent is an approved representative of Bow Valley College, please contact us.

Applications for a Bow Valley College program take approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the point that all required documentation is received and the application fee paid.

Applications to the International ELL program typically take 2 weeks.

The final stage of the application process is when applicants obtain their Letter of Acceptance to use for Immigration Purposes. These periods do not include the time needed to process immigration applications. Please refer to Immigration and Citizenship Canada’s website for information on processing times for immigration applications.

Once we confirm you meet all requirements, you’ll get an email update with an Offer of Admission. A copy of your offer letter and the ability to accept or decline that offer will appear in the Bow Valley College student application portal.

• If you’re not accepted, we’ll let you know through the Bow Valley College student application portal. You’ll receive an email letting you know there is a message for you in the portal.

The structure of this program is a blend of part-time and full-time study and the length of the program is unique to each student, dependent on the results of the challenge examinations. For these reasons, international students in this program are not eligible for Canada Immigration’s Off-Campus Work Permit program or Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Therefore authorization to work would need to be obtained through an alternative Canadian Immigration Work permit.

There are scholarships available for International learners. Visit Awards for a comprehensive list of awards and guidelines. You will be able to view specific awards for international learners.

Yes, orientation is mandatory. Attendance will be taken and counted towards your student record. Anyone who is unable to attend the orientation needs to inform the International Education Office in advance.

Students should arrive in time to attend the college New Student Orientation and the International Learner Preparation Day. Students won't be permitted to start classes after the first day of classes.

Cost of workbooks is not included. The estimated expense is between $50 to $100 CAD per semester. Workbooks are available for purchase through our bookstore.