Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. Make sure you have all the documents you need before you apply. You should apply before you travel to Canada.
You can come to Canada to study if you
- qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller
- If you’re under 18, you don’t have to be fully vaccinated. You do need to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) with an approved COVID-19 readiness plan.
- are enrolled at a DLI
- prove you have enough money to pay for
- your tuition fees
- living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
- return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
- obey the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate (if required)
- are in good health and get a medical exam (if required) and
- prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires
If you’re a legal resident in certain countries, you may be able to get your study permit faster by applying online through the Student Direct Stream.
To be eligible for faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must:
- List Item #1
—– Antigua and Barbuda
—– Brazil
—– China
—– Colombia
—– Costa Rica
—– India
—– Morocco
—– Pakistan
—– Peru
—– Philippines
—– Senegal
—– Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
—– Trinidad and Tobago
—– Vietnam
- have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution
- live outside of Canada when you apply
- have proof you have paid your tuition for your first year of study
- have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000
- have a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration; This is only if you’re planning to study in Quebec
- get a medical exam before you apply (if you need one)
- get a police certificate before you apply (if you need one)
- have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)
- have a language test result that shows either:
- an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic or general training score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening), or
- a Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
Depending on where you’re applying from, you may also need to provide other documents. Make sure you include all the documents required by the visa office that processes your application.
Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. The cases below are exceptions.
- Family or staff of foreign representatives
- Members of foreign armed forces
- Registered Indians in Canada
- Temporary residents and asylum seekers taking French language and culture courses
- Minor children in Canada
Minor children don’t need a study permit if:
— they’re in kindergarten
— they’re refugees or refugee claimants
— their parents are refugees or refugee claimants, or
— they’re in pre-school, primary or secondary school, and they’re already in Canada with a parent who has a work or study permit
— When minor children reach the age of majority (18 or 19 years old, depending on the province or territory), they must apply for a study permit if they want to keep studying.
There are 2 reasons you may want to get a study permit even if you don’t need one:
1. Continue studying
If you already have a study permit and your study situation changes, you can continue studying in Canada while your permit is valid.
If you apply to extend your permit before it expires, you have maintained your status and can continue studying while you wait for your new study permit. If your study permit extension is refused, you must stop studying.
2. Work on- or off-campus
If you have a study permit and you’re registered as a full-time student at a DLI, you may be able to work on-campus or off-campus. If so, your study permit will include a condition that says you’re allowed to work while studying.
If you don’t have a study permit, you can’t work while you’re studying in Canada. In this case, you need to apply for a work permit.
You may be eligible for POST GRADUATION WORK PERMIT if you are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
Book your free consultation with us for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Student Visa allows you to enter Canada whereas a student permit allows you to study, work and stay in Canada as a student.
Yes. You will need to provide proof of enrollment when you return to Canada
A study permit is valid for the duration of your qualification at your designated institution plus 90 days(to prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay)
The process varies depending on your country of residence. However, prospective students from China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal and Vietnam may be eligible for 2-week student permit processing