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Study Permit

Temporary Residents

General information

Common study permit categories and
how to maintain a legal status in Canada

Student Direct Stream

For citizens of certain countries with faster process time of 20 days

Length of stay and validity
Based on the program, conditions and remarks on the study permit
Processing time
Within 20 days
Work while studying
Up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks
Work after graduation
Granted one-time post-graduation work permit, from 8 months to up to 3 years depending on the eligibility of the institution and study program
Basic requirements
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months
Letters of acceptance
Issued by a designated post-secondary institution (university, college, technical institute, etc.)
Financial requirements
Have receipt for 1-year tuition and a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $20,635 from a designated financial institution
Intention of leaving Canada
Demonstrate ties to the home country to return by the end of authorized stay in Canada
Medical requirements
Not likely to be a danger to public health, public safety, or reasonably expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services
Family members requirements
No criminal records or immigration-related convictions
Admissibility requirements
Not inadmissible on grounds of security, violating human or international rights or organized criminality
Language
TCF 400, TEF 400, or
CELPIP 7, CAEL 60, IELTS 6, or
PET 60, TOEFL iBT 83
Regular Stream

Individuals of all ages who wish to study in Canada

Length of stay and validity
Based on the program, conditions and remarks on the study permit
Processing time
About 13 weeks
Work while studying
Up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks
Work after graduation
Granted one-time post-graduation work permit, from 8 months to up to 3 years depending on the eligibility of the institution and study program
Basic requirements
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months
Letters of acceptance
Issued by a designated post-secondary institution (university, college, technical institute, etc.)
Financial requirements
Enough money to cover tuition fees and living expenses during the stay in Canada and to return to home country
Intention of leaving Canada
Demonstrate ties to the home country to return by the end of authorized stay in Canada
Medical requirements
Not likely to be a danger to public health, public safety, or reasonably expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services
Family members requirements
No criminal records or immigration-related convictions
Admissibility requirements
Not inadmissible on grounds of security, violating human or international rights or organized criminality
Minors under 17

Minors under 17 who wish to study in a primary or secondary school in Canada

Length of stay and validity
Based on the program, conditions and remarks on the study permit
Processing time
About 13 weeks
Study permit exemption
No study permit required if accompanying a parent who has a valid work or study permit or is authorized to do so without the need for permits
Basic requirements
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months
Letters of acceptance
Issued by a designated pre-school, primary or secondary school
Custodian
Is a Permanent Resident or Canadian to be responsible for the minors under 17 while studying in Canada unless accompanying a parent
Financial requirements
Enough money to cover tuition fees and living expenses during the stay in Canada and to return to home country for the minor (and parent if accompanying)
Intention of leaving Canada
Demonstrate ties to the home country to return by the end of authorized stay in Canada
Medical requirements
Not likely to be a danger to public health, public safety, or reasonably expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services
Family members requirements
No criminal records or immigration-related convictions
Admissibility requirements
Not inadmissible on grounds of security, violating human or international rights or organized criminality

Study permit requirements exemption

Common cases in which the study permit is not required to study

Foreign representative's family
Accompanying family members of a foreign representative accredited by Global Affairs
Pre-school
Children want to attend preschool
or kindergarten
Asylum family members
Minors accompanying a parent who is refugee or has a refugee protection application
Distance learning
Study programs in which student does not have to physically be in the classroom
Minors of workers or students
Minors accompanying a parent who is authorized to work / study or may do so without authorization
Short-term programs
A course or program of study of
6 months’ duration or less

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee the issuance of the study permit.
Although the requirement of study permit is optional for a short-term program, it may allow international students to work part-time while studying and maintain their legal status if there is any change in the program.

Application process

Summary of the application review process
and how to maintain the legal status while in Canada

Financial requirements
Obtain letter of acceptance
Stage 1

Submit an application for admission with translated transcripts, language test results and cover letters before admission deadlines.

Application submission
Stage 2

Submit the application online on IRCC system, or on paper to the closest visa application center in the home country.

Biometrics collection
Stage 3

Receive a request from IRCC for biometrics collection at visa application centers to verify identity and admissibility.

Medical examination
Stage 4

Receive a request from IRCC for a medical examination with panel physicians to provide proof of the health conditions.

Decision
Stage 5

Application approved, the passport is required from IRCC to have a counterfoil visa attached to it and ready to come to Canada.

Entry into Canada
Stage 6

Have a short discussion at the port of entry with CBSA about personal information and eligibility and receive the study permit.

Student Direct Stream
Language assessment
Stage 1

Take the language assessments recognized by Canada and achieve the minimum required scores.

Obtain letter of acceptance
Stage 2

Submit an application for admission with translated transcripts, language test results and cover letters before admission deadlines.

Obtain GIC Certificates
Stage 3

From a designated financial institution of $10,000 Will be refunded with the interest while studying in Canada.

Application submission
Stage 4

Submit the application online on IRCC system, or on paper to the closest visa application center in the home country.

Biometrics collection
Stage 5

Receive a request from IRCC for biometrics collection at visa application centers to verify identity and admissibility.

Medical examination
Stage 6

Receive a request from IRCC for a medical examination with panel physicians to provide proof of the health conditions.

Decision
Stage 7

Application approved, the passport is required from IRCC to have a counterfoil visa attached to it and ready to come to Canada.

Entry into Canada
Stage 8

Have a short discussion at the port of entry with CBSA about personal information and eligibility and receive the study permit.

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and tuition fee will be refunded to the applicant if the study permit application is refused.
Applicants must renew their study permit by the expiry date to maintain their legal status in Canada.
Temporary Permit holders who stay longer than their authorized stay may be deported, refused entry or visa in the next application.

Success factors

Crucial elements affect the decision

Settlement fund
Age
Language
French
Canadian work experience
Education
Work experience
Travel history
Management experience
Job prospects in home country
Admissible
Letter from employer
Academic performance
Occupation in Canada
Field study in Canada
Ties to home country
Community referral letter
Farm experience
Field of study
Job offer
Business proposal
Education in Canada

Benefits

Common advantages for international students and their family members to study in Canada

International qualifications
International qualifications

Widely accepted with transferable credits and courses to other schools everywhere

Expedited process
Expedited process

Have the next visa applicant processed faster under the CAN+ program

Post-graduation Work Permit
Post-graduation Work Permit

Opportunity to work for up to 3 years after graduation on post-graduation work permit

Work and study
Work and study

Authorized to work for up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions

Family-friendly
Family-friendly

May apply work permit or study permit for spouse, common-law partner or children

Investment Programs
Investment Programs

May eligible for provincial investment programs in some provinces

Advantages to immigrate
Advantages to immigrate

Eligible and/or have additional points in federal or provincial immigration programs

Specific requirements

Important requirements the applicant should note

  • Depending on the conditions of the study permit, international students may work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled school breaks
  • A study permit is not a visa and cannot be used for entry if the visa has expired
  • Graduated students will be granted a one-time post-graduation work permit after completing a post-secondary program with a duration equal to the length of their study up to a maximum of 3 years, depending on the eligibility of the program and the designated institution.
  • Spouse and common-law partner if accompanying may eligible to apply for a work permit valid for the same period of time as the study permit.
  • If the program ends early, the study permit will become invalid 90 days after completing the studies regardless of the expiry date

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Change the initial purpose of entry
  • Have committed a crime, depends on the seriousness of the conviction
  • Have been, are or will be engaging in organized crime
  • Have been, are or will be engaging in any activities or organizations that are against Canada, contrary to Canada’s interests or endanger the lives or safety of persons in Canada
  • Have a health condition that is dangerous to public health, public safety or may cause excessive demand on health or social services
  • Unable or unwilling to financially support yourself and accompanying family members
  • Have an immigration application refused for misrepresentation in the past 5 years
  • Have been deported for failing to comply with any immigration act or regulation

Basic requirements

  • Have a valid passport of at least 6 months
  • Have a Letter of Acceptance from a designated institution

Ties to home country

Have strong ties to return to home country for reasons related to:

  • Job or study
  • Financial assets
  • Family

Proof of funds

Applicant or their family members must demonstrate enough funds to cover

  • Tuition
  • Living expenses for the applicant and accompanying family members (if any)
  • Travel expenses for the applicant and accompanying family members (if any)
  • Student Direct Stream is a fast-track program to apply for a study permit without the burden of financial proof. This is an exclusive program for students from certain countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent và Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. The applicant can expect the final decision within 20 calendar days.
  • Depending on the conditions of the study permit, international students may work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled school breaks
  • A study permit is not a visa and cannot be used for entry if the visa has expired
  • Graduated students will be granted a one-time post-graduation work permit after completing a post-secondary program with a duration equal to the length of their study up to a maximum of 3 years, depending on the eligibility of the program and the designated institution.
  • Spouse and common-law partner if accompanying may eligible to apply for a work permit valid for the same period of time as the study permit.
  • If the program ends early, the study permit will become invalid 90 days after completing the studies regardless of the expiry date

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Change the initial purpose of entry
  • Have committed a crime, depends on the seriousness of the conviction
  • Have been, are or will be engaging in organized crime
  • Have been, are or will be engaging in any activities or organizations that are against Canada, contrary to Canada’s interests or endanger the lives or safety of persons in Canada
  • Have a health condition that is dangerous to public health, public safety or may cause excessive demand on health or social services
  • Unable or unwilling to financially support yourself and accompanying family members
  • Have an immigration application refused for misrepresentation in the past 5 years
  • Have been deported for failing to comply with any immigration act or regulation

Basic requirements

  • Overral score: IELTS Academic 6.0, CAEL 60, PTE Academic 60, TOEFL iBT 83, TCF 400, TEF 400, or
  • All 4 component skills at or above the equivalent of CLB 7: IELTS General, CELPIP, TCF Canada, TEF Canada
  • Have a receipt of first-year tuition
  • Have Guaranteed Investment Certificate of $20,635 from a designated financial institution in Canada which will be refunded with interest within 10-12 months after arrival in Canada
  • Have a Letter of Acceptance from a designated institution
  • Have a valid passport of at least 6 months
  • Have the most current transcript and/or certificates

Ties to home country

Have strong ties to return to home country for reasons related to:

  • Job or study
  • Financial assets
  • Family

Designated financial institutions for GIC

  • A minor student must be accompanied by a parent or have a legal custodian who is Canadian or Permanent Resident, and will take care of and support the minor child while studying in Canada until 18th birthday
  • Minors accompanying a parent who is authorized to work or study or may do so without authorization do not need a study permit to start studying in Canada
  • After the 18th birthday, having a custodian is optional for minors studying in Canada, unless required by the visa officer
  • A study permit is required for foreign nationals before they can start studying in Canada unless specified otherwise
  • A study permit is not a visa and cannot be used for entry if the visa has expired
  • If the program ends early, the study permit will become invalid 90 days after completing the studies regardless of the expiry date

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Change the initial purpose of entry
  • Have committed a crime, depends on the seriousness of the conviction
  • Have been, are or will be engaging in organized crime
  • Have been, are or will be engaging in any activities or organizations that are against Canada, contrary to Canada’s interests or endanger the lives or safety of persons in Canada
  • Have a health condition that is dangerous to public health, public safety or may cause excessive demand on health or social services
  • Unable or unwilling to financially support yourself and accompanying family members
  • Have an immigration application refused for misrepresentation in the past 5 years
  • Have been deported for failing to comply with any immigration act or regulation

Basic requirements

  • Have a valid passport of at least 6 months
  • Have a Letter of Acceptance from a designated institution, unless accompanying a parent who is authorized to work or study or can do so without the permits

Ties to home country

Have strong ties to return to home country for reasons related to:

  • Job or study
  • Financial assets
  • Family

Proof of funds

Applicant or their family members must demonstrate enough funds to cover

  • Tuition
  • Living expenses for the applicant and accompanying family members (if any)
  • Travel expenses for the applicant and accompanying family members (if any)
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