Study Permit Canada

A Canadian study permit allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions in Canada, and is issued by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

An applicant for a Canadian study permit may include his or her family members on the application, so that they may accompany the applicant to Canada. An accompanying spouse may be able to obtain an open work permit, and young children may be able to study at Canadian elementary and secondary schools.

Stay:  A study permit is usually valid for the length of your study program, plus an extra 90 days. *The 90 days let you prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay.

Cost: CAD 150

Eligibility criteria

• Obtain a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution
• Prove that you have sufficient financial support to cover the first year of tuition, living expenses and other costs
• Obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ): to study in Montreal or elsewhere in the province of Quebec
• Have no criminal background. A police check will be required
• Applicants will be required to undertake a medical examination

The applicant may also be required to submit the following documents: 

• Passport for the applicant and every family member included on the application;
• Two passport photos for the applicant and each family member included on the application, with the full name and date of birth written on the back;
• Photocopy of marriage certificate, if applicable; and,
• Any other document

Steps to apply

1. If you meet all eligibility criteria, you can submit an application for a Study permit, together with supporting documents. This can be done online or by paper. (A paper application must be submitted to a visa processing office outside of Canada)
2. If an application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction confirming the approval.
3. You will need to show the letter of introduction to an immigration official when arriving in Canada. The immigration official may then issue the study permit to you.
4. You will also receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and a temporary residence visa (TRV). You do not have to submit a separate application for a TRV.  If the application is approved, the TRV will be issued along with the Letter of Introduction.

Things to note

1. Study permits expire 90 days after graduation. Therefore, it is extremely important that you update your status with IRCC within 90 days of graduation, or risk losing status in Canada.

   *If you finish your studies early, your permit will stop being valid 90 days after you complete your studies, no matter what day is printed on the study permit.

2. You may be eligible to extend your stay by applying for a post-graduation work permit, allowing you to work in Canada for upto three years after graduation.

   You could additionally do one of the following:

• Apply for a visitor visa
• Apply for another study permit to continue a different study program.
• Leave Canada.