INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Pro has a long history of training students from outside Canada

Latest updates on Attestation Letter and PGWP (Updated on January 31, 2025)

As of Jan 22, 2024, study permit applications from outside Canada require a valid Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).

2025 PAL is available.
PAL cannot be reused if study permit application was refused.
PAL is issued once per applicant per application.
Flight school graduates are eligible for 2-3 Year’s PGWP Work Permit (Official Link).

International Students at Pro

The Professional Flight Centre has had a long history of training students from outside Canada. Approximately 50% of our business comes from abroad. International students are drawn to Canada for flight training due to the high standard of the Canadian ICAO Licenses as well as our stable and affordable dollar, making it one of the world’s safest and most inexpensive countries to receive superior aviation training.

Over the years, we have trained pilots from over 40 countries encompassing all four corners of the globe. We are well versed in the special needs that our out-of-country guests may need and we always go out of our way to make your stay a positive one in every way possible. There is inexpensive housing located short distances from our Boundary Bay facility .

We often find that when the training is complete and it is time to return home, many of our students find leaving difficult due to the life-long friendships developed, extraordinary experiences shared, and exceptional training received during their time training at Professional Flight Centre. Many of our former students are now flying for major airlines in their respective home countries and keep in touch with us as they progress in their careers. As far as we are concerned, they, like all of our students, will always be part of the extended family of “Pro”.

Do I require a Study Permit to train at PRO?

Under the Canadian immigration laws, you will be required to obtain a Student Authorization Visa from your local Canadian Consulate if the projected duration of your training is more than 6 months. You do not need to acquire a study permit if you are planning to enroll in a short-term program of 6 months or less, such as Private Pilot License (PPL). For PPL, you can enter Canada as a visitor. Citizens of some countries require a Visitor’s Visa to enter Canada while some do not. If you do not need one, you can enter based upon your valid passport.

If you are planning on attending our Institution for over six months, you must make an application at your local Canadian Consulate for a Study Permit. This is not a problem; it simply takes a little more time to process. As long as all of the required paperwork is in order, you will likely be granted permission to enter Canada as a student and commence training at our school within 4-6 weeks.

Financial requirement for obtaining a study permit in Canada

Applicants need to provide Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with financial proof to be granted a study permit. According to IRCC’s information release, a single applicant will need to show they have at least CAN $20,635, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs. Applicants are required to demonstrate financial sufficiency for only the first year of studies, regardless of the duration of the course or program of studies in which they are enrolled.

Do I need to pay full program cost up front?

No, there is no need to prepay full program cost up front. Instead, you will pay as you go and be charged by “flight time”. We do have International Students depositing first year tuition in advance to help with Student Visa applications. Please see Tips for obtaining a Study Permit section below for more information.

Procedure to receive a Study Permit:

The following are the requirements from the Canadian Consulate to successfully process your Study Permit application. You will be required to produce the following:

If everything seems in order with respect to your application to train as a pilot with us, Professional Flight Centre will issue you with an original Letter of Acceptance (LOA) authorizing you to train at our Institution upon request. This letter must be an original, either a physical or digital version. This letter requires a valid and subsisting passport indicating date of birth, date of issue, country of issue, passport number, and details of the course you intend to enroll in;
Obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) after receiving the LOA.
Proof that you have sufficient funds to pay for school fees and cover living expenses for your duration of stay in Canada;
Proof that you will be returning home upon course completion;
Pass a Medical Exam if needed, (if you are inbound from some countries, this will be an additional requirement).

The Canadian Consulate will review your application, conduct the required background checks, and possibly interview the candidate. If everything on the application is satisfactory, you will be granted the Study Permit to train in Canada for the duration that is specified on the Permit. If at a later date you require an extension of the Permit, it is normally not a problem if you have a valid reason and the extension is requested early enough for it to be granted.

For more information, please refer to the Citizen and Immigration Canada website. It is very comprehensive and will answer any further questions you may have about coming to Canada to train with us.

In all cases, you will surely be supported by Professional Flight Centre in your application by correspondence in the form of e-mails, fax, or telephone if needed.

Tips for obtaining a Study Permit:

Canadian Study Permit application process is a fairly transparent and straight-forward process. We wish your experience to be as smooth as possible. Below are the tips we gathers from years of experience to successfully obtaining a Study Permit. Please read it carefully. If you have questions, please contact us.

Allow for 1-3 months of Visa processing time.
If an interview is required, dress formally. First impressions can be crucial.
Know the program you are applying for, and how it fits your academic background and future career plans.
Submit the correct paperwork.
Submit proof that you have enough funds to meet IRCC’s Financial Requirement.
Submit a Letter of Explanation that gives a visa officer a brief overview of why you want to study in Canada, and how your choice aligns with your future objectives to study abroad in Canada and will you return to home country at the end of study.
Offer embassy proof that you will return to home country upon course completion. Materials such as proof of property, bank deposits, strong family ties in home country, and news paper article on promises of jobs in home country will definitely help.
Our past experiences showed that submitting official school letter demonstrating amount of prepaid tuition gave greater chances of having Study Permits approved by Canadian Embassy. Note that if one applied Study Permit through Student Direct Stream Visa program, tuition fee prepayment will be required by the Visa office. Students usually deposited first year tuition in advance which is the cost of Private Pilot License. Professional Flight Centre always issued official letters to students indicating amount of prepaid tuition received. In case Study Permit still got rejected, prepaid tuition will be refunded through Wire Transfer in full, less any bank charges and $215 CAD administration fee.

Flight Training Videos

If a picture worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a thousand pictures! Professional Flight Centre is one of the very few flight schools that allow students to film during flight. Many of our students have recorded and shared flight training videos on social medias. These videos have helped many others to master and successfully complete their training. To see what flight training at Professional Flight Centre will be like, visit our media page.

How to Apply

Are you an International Student wishing to become a pilot in Canada? Just 5 easy steps, and you’ll be on your way! Here’s just how to do it!

STEP 1 – Complete LOA (Letter of Acceptance) application form below:

LOA APPLICATION FORM

STEP 2 – Admission office will email qualified candidates to confirm start date and make sure all information is correct.

STEP 3 – Submit a non-refundable application fee of:

$850.50 CDN ($810.00 + GST) for the Letter of Acceptance,
$252.00 CDN for DHL or FedEx Shipping
Total including taxes is $1102.50 CDN for Physical version or $850.50 CDN for Softcopy version
Fee is payable by Credit Card or Bank Transfer. Admission office will provide Payment instructions through email.
If tuition prepayment option was selected, admission office will provide wire transfer instructions.

STEP 4 – Once the payment is received, we will sent you the LOA draft for review. The official LOA document will then be delivered to you via DHL or Email (Softcopy option). The official provincial attestation letter (PAL) will be issued once LOA document has been finalized.

STEP 5 – Apply for a Study Permit through IRCC website, and come to Canada! It’s that easy!!

International Student Guide

Starting life as an international student is a big step, and we want to make sure you have everything you need to feel at home and succeed. The International Student Guide was created to help our students with adjusting to life in Canada. It provides practical tips and advice to help you with housing, tenancy rights, health insurance, mental well-being, budgeting and many other topics you will experience as a new international students in Canada.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE

Ground School Early Entry Program

A ground school Early Entry Program is in place for students who have applied for Letter of Acceptance (LOA) but not arrived in Canada yet. Students in such conditions can enroll into the program and gain access to online ground school. Ground school hours acquired through early entry program, count towards Transport Canada’s licensing requirements. We hope this gives new students a head starts on ground school study before arriving in Canada. Learn more about this program at Early Entry Program page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I resubmit a study permit application using same PAL?

According to IRCC, PAL cannot be reused for study permit application if previous attempt was refused.

Can I work part-time when studying in Canada?

Yes! International Student can work up to 20 hours per week while studying full-time.

Does school offer job opportunities to International Students?

Yes! Professional Flight Centre provides Dispatch and Instructor positions to both domestic and International students. Prior obtaining the Instructor Rating, many of our International Students choose to work at Dispatch. Please see Job Opportunity page for details.

Do you accept Credit Card payment for LOA fee?

Yes, the LOA fee can be paid using Credit Card. Please email or call our dispatch to arrange the payment.

Will school refund my prepaid tuition fee in case of Visa refusal?

Professional Flight Centre always refunded prepaid tuition fees. The prepaid tuition will be refunded through Wire Transfer in full, less any bank charges and $215 CAD administration fee.

Do I need to submit high school grads or college transcripts when applying for LOA?

No, high school grads and colleges transcripts are not required for applying to Professional Flight Centre.

Do you provide housing/accommodation to students?

Please visit Student Accommodation page for detailed information on housing/accommodation.

Can I obtain work permit after finishing the CPL or Instructor Rating program?

The answer is Yes! According to Government of Canada, to be eligible for a Post-graduation work permit (PGWP), you must meet one of these requirements:

You’ve completed a flight training course at a Canadian training centre and now have a Canadian commercial pilot’s license, or
You have or you are in the process of getting an instructor’s rating, and you have a job offer to work as a flight instructor at a flight training centre.

More information can be obtained from Government of Canada website at here.

I am already in Canada on Visitor Visa, can I apply for a Study Permit?

Yes, after obtaining the Letter of Acceptance, you can apply for a study permit from within Canada.

I am an International Student in Canada studying in another school. How do I transfer to your school?

You will need to first obtain a new study permit by applying to extend your current one. For detailed steps, please visit Changing your school or program.