International Application Steps
Step 1) Choose your program of study PROGRAMS AVAILABILITY
Some programs are popular and fill up really quickly. Check seats availability before submitting an application. Please check the Canadian study or visitor permit processing timelines first to avoid delays.
Step 2) Gather your documents International Academic Documents by Country List
For country-specific document requirements, please check the International Academic Documents by Country list. You’ll also need the following documents to upload via the online application portal:
- Academic transcripts
- Passport
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
*Official Canadian transcripts and official Pathways transcripts will need to be sent directly from the institution to admissions@bowvalleycollege.ca. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for review while we wait for official transcripts to arrive.
Step 3) If you have applied or attended a school or post-secondary institution in Alberta, you will already have an ASN. To find your ASN or create a new one, you can use ASNLookup service. Before you apply online, check the International Student Application Guide
Step 4) Submit your online application APPLY NOW
Review the application deadlines for international students and when ready submit an online application & study permit via the Bow Valley College student application portal. Make sure to check this tutorial video to learn more about how to communicate with our staff during your application. Please check the Canadian study or visitor permit processing timelines first before submitting an application to avoid delays.
Step 5) Submit fees
Submit the non-refundable and non-transferable $140 CAD application fee, check payment options to pay. If accepted, you need to reserve your seat in the program by paying the non-refundable/non-transferable confirmation deposit or you can pay the first term of tuition and fees. The confirmation deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and it is part of your tuition and fees for the first term. Check payment options to pay all International Fees.
Bow Valley College has partnered with PayMyTuition to support our learners making international tuition payments (students need to have MyBVC email to use this option). PayMyTuition allows you to pay your tuition payments from any bank, in any country in any currency at better than bank exchange rates. PayMyTuition is fast, simple, and cost effective.
Step 6) Study permit application
Once you receive the Letter of Acceptance, you can apply for a study permit at your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate. Your study permit application with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will require both our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number: O19273769422 and an Official Letter of Acceptance. Canadian DLI’s can be verified with Immigration and Citizenship Canada. Check our Study Permit Guide for more instructions.
Step 7) Sign in to MYBVC
Check Bow Valley College (MyBVC) email to get important information. This is your communication tool with the College. Do not share your login information with anyone. Sharing your login information and/or allowing another person to login under your username is a violation of Bow Valley College’s Code of Conduct Policy. You will be held responsible for any actions completed while logged in under your username including possible fraudulent tuition payment.
We strongly recommend applying a minimum of 12 months in advance of the intended start of your studies. It is very important to ensure that there is sufficient time for processing your study permit application before confirming your start date. Refer to the drop-down menu below for more guidance on how to apply.
Start Date | Applications Open | Applications Close |
Winter 2025 (January) | January 15, 2024 |
November 3, 2024 |
Spring 2025 (May) | April 2, 2024 | March 24, 2025 |
Fall 2025 (September) | September 16, 2024 | July 8, 2025 |
Before you apply
Check the application deadline and program availability.
Bow Valley College processes applications on a first come, first qualified basis. Many of our programs fill up months in advance. We recommend applying 12 months before the start date.
Please contact the International Education Department and we will provide you with information about which programs still have seat availability.
Review the general important dates and deadlines and important dates for international learners.
Before you apply online, download the International Student Application Guide. When you are ready, use the Bow Valley College student application portal to apply.
Important: The primary e-mail address must be yours - the applicant. There is a section in the application form to put additional contact information for anyone acting on behalf of the applicant. Misrepresentation of the applicant e-mail contact information will result in significant delays in the application processing.
If you need help, contact us at international@bowvalleycollege.ca or call 403-410-3476.
Steps to apply
Explore our programs:
- Business
- Health Care
- Human Services and Justice
- Technology
- Entertainment Arts
- English Language Learning for international students
- Academic Upgrading courses
Remember to review the requirements for English Language proficiency. Check our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information to consider. Get an estimate of what your tuition and fees will be depending on your program.
- Is there seat availability in your program for your preferred start date?
- What is the study permit submission deadline for your preferred start date?
- Did you allow 6 to 8 weeks for your BVC application to be processed (once you submit a complete application package)?
- Did you allow enough additional time before BVC’s study permit deadline for Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada’s for foreign study or visitor visas
Are you planning your start of term for the mandatory New Student Orientation and International Student Orientation, which take place the week before the session starts? Bow Valley programs are fast and focused, attending your orientation and learner preparation day will ensure you are ready to be successful, so you do not make mistakes that negatively impact your future.
You must submit your valid study permit to International Education no later than the study permit deadline. Plan Ahead. Give yourself lots of time to process your study permit application. If you miss this deadline, your seat will be released to a waitlist applicant. Your confirmation fee will not be refundable.
How to apply
To apply click here.
- Put your (the student’s) contact information ONLY in "Applicant Contact Information."
- Write your own (the student's) surname(s) and given name(s) on the application form exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Only provide your (the student's) personal email, mailing address and telephone information on the application form. This will appear on all our documentation.
- You’ll get updates via email and through the online portal during the application process, so make sure we have your (the student’s) email address.
- If an agent applies on your behalf, you’ll also need to login to the Bow Valley College student application portal in order to receive email updates.
Need help? Check out the International Student Application Guide.
To apply for our programs, you must submit your proof of admission requirements (academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency) along with your application form. Electronic copies of these documents can be uploaded in the Bow Valley College student application portal.
Official transcripts for Canadian institutions or Pathways must be emailed to admissions@bowvalleycollege.ca
- Include your Alberta Student Number - ASN in the subject line so we can locate your application.
- Note - We will begin the assessment on unofficial transcripts but require official copies before granting admission.
- Processing timeline: The application process takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the time a complete application (including all requested transcripts and supporting documents) is received. Fall intake have a High Volume of applications, so the admission processing time will take about 6 to 8 weeks. If you’re applying for the International ELL program, the application process only takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Do you need to use a person or agency to contact Bow Valley College about your application or admission? You'll have to complete and sign the Consent to Release Information Form first. This gives us permission to share information about your application. Add their contact information to the "Would you like to share your application information with a representative?" section of the Bow Valley College student application form.
After you apply
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.
You'll also receive an email with your MyBVC account information. Log in and check it often, because the college uses it to send important information. You can also use MyBVC to make online payments, review account statements, and see course information.
Your Offer of Admission will be valid for approximately 3 weeks. To reserve your place in the program, you will need to pay the confirmation deposit. The deadline to pay this fee is provided in your Offer of Admission.
- The confirmation deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- The confirmation deposit fee is part of your tuition and fees for the first term.
- You also have the option to pay the full first term’s tuition by this same deadline and your confirmation deposit will be considered as included in this payment.
Read more about payment options.
Applicants can download their Letter of Acceptance through the Bow Valley College student application portal. See the International Student Application Guide for details.
Now it’s time to get your Canadian Study Permit. Submit your Letter of Acceptance and receipt of payment as part of your application. You can apply for your permit at the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate.
Please check the Canadian study or visitor permit processing timelines first to avoid delays.
Bow Valley College's DLI# is O19273769422. (The first character is the letter “O” followed by 11 numbers: O 192 737 694 22).
Our programs are all Designated Learning programs and eligible to receive foreign nationals on a study permit.
When you apply, make sure you provide our DLI number along with the Letter of Acceptance. See the list of Designated Learning Institutions.
Important note: Most Bow Valley College Certificate and Diploma programs include an unpaid practicum. You may need to apply for a co-op work permit when you apply for a study permit. The Immigration and Citizenship Canada website has information about visa applications and processing times.
What do you do after you get your study permit? Contact the International Education Department and email a copy of your permit to international@bowvalleycollege.ca. This confirms you're ready to join the program.
Orientation sessions are held the week before classes start. Visit the New Student Orientation page and the International Student Orientation page to learn more.
Learners requiring academic accommodations must contact the Learner Success Services at least four months prior to the commencement of their scheduled classes at Bow Valley College to establish an academic accommodation plan. Reasonable effort will be made to provide suitable academic accommodation; however, there is no guarantee that services will be available and it is possible that start dates may have to be deferred in order to provide required accommodation. While the College will attempt to facilitate all learner requests for accommodation, there is a current shortage of sign language interpreters.
What happens if you can't attend the first day of class? You must inform the International Education Department in writing before the program start date. If you don't provide written communication, you can't get a full refund or deferral.
Read more about our policies on refunds, visa refusals, and deferrals.
Helpful links
Here are helpful links about the application process: