Study Permit
Would you like to pursue a higher education in Canada? If you are an international student and want to study at a Canadian university or college, you will need a Canada study permit.
Who needs a Study Permit?
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IPPR), most foreign nationals that wish to travel to Canada to engage in academic, professional, vocational or other education or training that is six months or more in length will require a study permit. A study permit will usually be issued for the length of your program, plus an additional 90 days, which will allow you time to extend your stay or return to your home country.
Who doesn't need a Study Permit?
Some applicants may be exempt from obtaining a study permit to complete studies in Canada. This includes:
Some minor children already in Canada
Family members and members of the private staff of accredited foreign representatives
Some members of the armed forces
Some Short-Term studies that are six months or less
Registered Indians
What is the eligibility criteria for a Study Permit?
In order to apply for a study permit, you must:
Be accepted and enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI). You will not be able to obtain a study permit to attend a course or program that is not from a DLI.
Show proof that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses for you and your family and return transportation
Be admissible to Canada
Convince an office you will leave Canada at the end of your studies by providing evidence of your ties to your home country (for example, employment, property, financial assets, family)
In most cases, an initial study permit must be applied for at an outside visa office unless you meet an exemption to apply within Canada or at a Canadian port of entry. This means, even if you are in Canada as a visitor, your initial study permit will not be processed at a Canadian visa office in Canada.
If your application is approved, you will receive a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction and a visa if you are from a visa required country. You must show this letter to officials at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada to obtain your study permit.
What does "Intention to Leave Canada" mean?
When preparing an application for a temporary resident visa, applicants must satisfy an officer they will leave at the end of the period authorized for their temporary stay.
An officer will consider several different factors in determining whether an applicant intends to remain in Canada illegally to make a refugee claim. The officer will consider:
The applicant's family ties to their country of residence
The applicant's economic ties to their country of residence
The applicant's financial capability while in Canada
The applicant's obligations or responsibilities in their country of residence
The economic and political conditions of the applicant's country of residence
The applicant's immigration status in their country of residence
Can my family come with me while I study in Canada?
One of the benefits of study in Canada is your family can come with you during your studies. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, and you are an international student studying full-time on a valid study permit, your spouse/partner can apply for an open work permit.
They do not require a job offer and can work for any employer in any position. Their open work permit will be issued for the same period as your study permit.
Can I work during my studies?
While IRCC requires international students to arrive in Canada with the necessary funds to support their studies and living expenses, in reality, most students will wish to earn extra income. This need is recognized and covered in the regulations, allowing foreign students who are enrolled full-time in an academic, professional or vocational training program at a designated learning institution. Your study permit will indicate if you are able to work off-campus. You will need this condition in order to obtain a SIN number required by workers in Canada.
If you are eligible to work, you may work up to 20 hours per week while your program is in session and full-time during scheduled breaks in the academic year.