Southern Alberta Institute of Technology: Programs, Fees and How to Apply

Before applying, prepare the following items:

• Valid Passport: The biographical page is required, and your application name must exactly match your passport.

• Official Transcripts and Certificates: From all previously attended institutions. You must provide color scans of your original documents, along with certified English translations if applicable. Foreign credentials will undergo an International Document Assessment.

• English Language Proficiency: Test results (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo) if your prior education was not in English.

• Note on Postgraduate Requirements: Entry into post-diploma certificates requires a completed degree or diploma; however, SAIT does not enforce a blanket 60% minimum. Requirements are program-specific.

International applicants apply through SAIT’s Virtual Admissions System (VAS), not ApplyAlberta. Choose your program, preferred campus, and intake (typically Fall, Winter, or Spring).

SAIT issues either a Conditional Offer of Admission (if you are completing prerequisites or English upgrading) or a Final Letter of Acceptance. Carefully review your offer for tuition deposit deadlines and any remaining conditions.

Pay the CAD $3,500 tuition deposit by the exact deadline listed on your FLOA to confirm your admission. If you miss your deadline, your offer will expire; extensions are not granted. You can pay using CIBC International Student Pay (via the Student Portal), credit card, web banking, or bank draft/certified cheque.

Approved Payment Methods:

SAIT requires you to process your payment directly through your secure mySAIT account using one of their four official online methods:

1. PayMyTuition: The recommended platform for international students to pay in their home currency.

2. CIBC International Student Pay: An alternative secure web portal for international students to send fees.

3. Credit Card: Visa or MasterCard (Note: this incurs a non-refundable service fee of 2.65% or $3.00, whichever is greater).

4. Online Banking: If you already have a Canadian bank account, you can pay through your financial institution (takes 3–5 business days to process).

Security Warning: Always access payment portals directly through your mySAIT account. SAIT strictly advises against using unauthorized third-party payment services or clicking payment links sent via email, text, or social media.

You do not need to fill out a separate PAL request form for your initial PAL. Once you accept your offer and pay the tuition deposit, SAIT automatically requests a PAL from the Alberta government on your behalf.

You must have a valid study permit before classes begin. Once you have your Letter of Acceptance and your PAL, apply for your permit through IRCC. SAIT provides resources, including access to the BorderPass portal, to assist with this process.

Travel to your campus city and attend orientation. On-campus housing is available at the Main Campus. Confirm accommodation availability and apply early, as spaces are limited.

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has 4 campuses across Alberta: Main Campus, Art Smith Aero Centre, Point Trotter Campus, and the Downtown Campus (which houses The Tastemarket). The Main Campus is the largest and is located approximately 3 kilometres from downtown Calgary. The campuses are spread across the Calgary area and surrounding communities.

Yes. If you apply while currently completing high school prerequisites, college courses, or an approved English language upgrading program (such as SAIT’s ELF program), SAIT will issue a Conditional Offer of Admission. You must pay your tuition deposit by the deadline to convert this into a Conditional Letter of Acceptance and meet all conditions by the final transcript deadline. If you have already completed all requirements at the time of application, you will receive a Final Letter of Acceptance.

Our team reviews and completes the pipeline submission process within 3 hours for all global applications. Once SAIT receives your complete application with all required transcripts and documents, it typically takes up to 10 business days for an admission decision. After accepting an offer and paying your deposit, it takes approximately 15 business days to receive your Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).

In Alberta, the PAL process is largely automated by the institution. Once you accept your offer of admission and pay your tuition deposit, SAIT will automatically request your Provincial Attestation Letter from the government on your behalf. You will receive it alongside your Letter of Acceptance. Do not apply for your study permit until you have received both documents.

If your Canadian study permit application is refused by IRCC, you are eligible for a refund of your paid tuition deposit, minus a $250 CAD administrative fee. To qualify, you must withdraw your application and submit the official IRCC visa refusal letter to SAIT before your program start date. 

Yes. Many programs at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) include a co-op option, which gives you paid work experience in your field alongside your studies. Co-op placements are organized through the college and are available to international students on a valid study permit. Check the specific program page on the ApplyBoard platform to confirm whether your chosen program has a co-op stream.

Yes. International students with a valid study permit are generally permitted to work up to 24 hours per week off campus during term time and full-time during scheduled breaks, subject to their individual permit conditions. Always verify your work permissions on your study permit before taking any employment.