Mohawk College supports applicants with Convention Refugee status as domestic learners. Mohawk College defines Convention Refugee/Protected Persons as someone who is determined to be a protected person, including a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection, within the meaning of subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) or the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada.
To lawfully study in Canada, Convention Refugees are required to present Admissions with a Notice of Decision, a copy of their passport, and a valid Study Permit.
Refugee claimants must apply as an international applicant to Mohawk College.
Applying
To apply to Mohawk College as a Convention Refugee, applicants must apply through Ontario Colleges (OCAS). Convention Refugees are required to select the Canadian Applicants option and ensure they accurately describe their status in Canada as a Convention Refugee (Protected Person)*.
After completing their OCAS application and application payment, convention refugees will be contacted by Mohawk College Admissions with instructions on providing the following documents:
- A Notice of Decision and a copy of your Passport; or
- A copy of your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (eCOPR)
* Failure to accurately reflect your status in Canada as a Protected Person can result in delays in providing Letters of Acceptance required for a Study Permit application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to accurately reflect their status in Canada.
Meeting Eligibility
All applicants, including Convention Refugees, must satisfy admission requirements for their programs of choice.
After Convention Refugees have applied to Mohawk College and provided the documentation required to substantiate their status in Canada, they can track the status of their application through My Application Status on MyMohawk.
As a convention refugee, applicants may use any of the options detailed on the Obtaining Grade 12 Equivalents for Admission page to satisfy outstanding requirements.
Applying for a Study Permit
To lawfully study in Canada, Convention Refugees must possess a valid Study Permit.
After meeting eligibility requirements and receiving and accepting an offer to Mohawk College, Protected Persons can request a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to support their Study Permit application.
We encourage applicants to check the processing time for Study Permit applications on the IRCC webpage. Please refer to the Important Dates and Deadlines section below for information on when your Study Permit must be received by Mohawk College.
Tuition and Fees
Convention Refugees/Protected Persons who are eligible to be exempted from international fees must present a protected person status document, issued under section 31(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or a Notice of Decision.
Learn more about our tuition fee exceptions.
OSAP APPLICANTS: Documents provided in support of your OSAP application are confidential and cannot be shared. Your Notice of Decision must be provided separately from OSAP or Financial Assistance.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Refer to the chart below for important dates and deadlines for submitting Convention Refugee documents:
| Deadlines | September Intake | Winter Intake | May Intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline to provide Notice of Decision | June 24 | October 19 | February 16 |
| Last date offers will be released to Convention Refugee applicants and last day to request a Letter of Acceptance | July 2 | October 26 | February 23 |
Deadline to provide Study Permit
| August 26 | December 21 | April 20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Mohawk College asking for additional immigration documents?
Mohawk College is required to follow rules set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To begin a post-secondary program, protected persons or convention refugees must provide either a valid Study Permit or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (eCOPR). This requirement is set by IRCC, not the College.
- I am a Convention Refugee. What documents do I need to be eligible for my program?
After applying on Ontario Colleges, you will need to submit the following to coach [at] mohawkcollege.ca (coach[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca):- Your Notice of Decision; and
- A copy of your passport
Include your full name, OCAS ID (ontariocolleges.ca application number), and your Student ID.
After you submit these documents and they have been verified, you may be extended an offer of admission. Once you accept, you must then request a Letter of Acceptance to support with your Study permit application.
A valid Study Permit, or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (eCOPR) is required. Without one of these documents, you cannot begin your studies. See the question below for details of next steps after you have received an offer of admission.
When will my application be reviewed for admission?
Admissions will review your application according to domestic admission requirements only after your Notice of Decision or eCOPR has been received and approved.
If you have submitted a Notice of Decision, your next step is to meet the eligibility requirements for your program of choice.
Upon receiving and accepting an offer to Mohawk College, you must request a Letter of Acceptance to support with your Study Permit application through the IRCC. A valid Study Permit is required, and you cannot begin your studies.
Admission requirements are listed on the Admissions tab of each program page.- What am I required to do after I receive an offer of admission?
If you receive an offer and are a Convention Refugee or Protected Person, you must:- Request a Letter of Acceptance by completing and submitting the request form to support your IRCC Study Permit application.
- Apply for a Study Permit using your Letter of Acceptance.
Provide your Study Permit to the email you were provided by the required deadline (see above).
What is the deadline to submit my Study Permit?
The deadline to submit your Notice of Decision and Study Permit or eCOPR can be found in the important dates and deadlines above.
If documents are not received by this date, offers and acceptances will be revoked.- Until when will Mohawk College issue offers to Convention Refugee applicants?
Information related to the last day offers will be issued to eligible Convention Refugee applicants can be found in the important dates and deadlines above. After this date, no additional offers will be issued, as there will not be enough time to apply for and receive a Study Permit. - Do I need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
No. As a Convention Refugee applicant, you are exempt from providing a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to IRCC. - What documents will IRCC require for my Study Permit application?
IRCC will typically require:- Mohawk College Letter of Acceptance; and
- Other supporting documents as outlined on the IRCC website
- Where can I find information on applying for a Study Permit or Permanent Residence?
You can find official and up-to-date information on the IRCC website regarding:- Study Permit applications
- Permanent Residence applications
- Can Mohawk College help me apply for my Study Permit?
Mohawk College cannot provide legal immigration advice. If you need help, you should contact:- A licensed immigration lawyer, or
A licensed immigration consultant
You can find an authorized consultant through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
- What happens if I don’t submit my documents by the deadline?
If you do not submit an acceptable document (Study Permit or eCOPR) by the deadline:- Your offer and acceptance will be revoked; and
- You will not be able to start your program.
- What if I selected a different Status in Canada?
If you selected:- Refugee Status
- In Canada on the authority of another visa
- Study Permit (student visa)
- Other
Students who declare Refugee status or a Study Permit (Visa) are considered International Applicants for admission purposes and must apply through the International Application Services (IAS) portal.
