INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Pro has a long history of training students from outside Canada

Latest updates on Attestation Letter and PGWP (Updated on October 4, 2024)
  • New study permit applications require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in addition to the Letter of Acceptance (LOA). PAL will be issued together with LOA. There is no additional charges for the issuing of PAL.
  • One can resubmit a study permit application with the same PAL as long as its not expired. Current expiry date is January 21st, 2025.
  • Flight school graduates are eligible for 2-3 Year’s PGWP Work Permit.
  • Good News! PGWP eligibility for flight school graduates remains unchanged after November 1, 2024 (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.

  1. Allow for 1-3 months of Visa processing time.
  2. If an interview is required, dress formally. First impressions can be crucial.
  3. Know the program you are applying for, and how it fits your academic background and future career plans.
  4. Submit the correct paperwork.
  5. Submit proof that you have enough funds to meet IRCC’s Financial Requirement.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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

Our former student (currently employed by commercial airline) Poul Go made the following video on how to be an international student pilot in Canada. Poul came from Philippine and finished his PPL, CPL, Multi-IFR, and Instructor Rating in Canada at Pro. He hopes this video can help out others who were also planning to learn flying in Canada. Feel free to check out other flight training videos on his YouTube Channel.

 

How to Be An International Student Pilot in Canada

What’s it like to be an International Student in Canada? We recommend new students to go through BC’s New Comer’s Guide to learn about details on BC’s health, education, government systems and many more. This will prepare one’s arrival to BC and help one to adapt to the new environment quickly and smoothly.

 

Can International Students work in Canada?

During study period, full-time International Students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying in Canada. If you complete your CPL flight training with our school under a student visa/permit, you are eligible to apply for work permit and work in Canada. Because 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.

Government of Canada has made it clear that new PGWP eligibility requirement based on field of study does not apply to flight schools (Official Link). Flight school graduates only need to meet the current eligibility criteria (even after November 1, 2024).

 

How to start at Pro?

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:

 

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:

  • $693.00 CDN ($660.00 + GST) for the Letter of Acceptance,
  • $252.00 CDN for DHL or FedEx Shipping
  • Total including taxes is $945.00 CDN for Physical version or $693.00 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 – Visit the nearest Canadian Consulate or IRCC website. Apply for a Study Permit, and come to Canada!  It’s that easy!!

Ground School Early Access 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?

Yes! According to IRCC, one can resubmit a study permit application with the same PAL as long as it’s not expired.


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. Do I need to apply for a new Study Permit after joining your school?

No, there is no need to apply for a new permit. You only need to notify Immigration Canada that you have changed school. This can be done online. Please visit Changing School page from Immigration Canada on how to change school.

More questions?

Please visit our International Student General Information and FAQ section that addresses frequently asked questions regarding International Study and Flight Training. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions.

We look forward to having you joining us soon!