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Most foreign students need a Study Permit in order to be allowed to join a study program in Canada. This article will let you know what are the exceptions of getting the Permit, and learn more about the application process and the processing times.
Do you need a Study Permit?
The Study Permit is an authorization issued by the government of Canada that allows you to join a Designated Learning Institution.
Some Study Permits can impose a set of conditions, for instance if you are authorized or not to have a job in Canada. There a few exceptions to getting a Study Permit to be able to study in Canada, namely if:
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If your school asked you to take some courses (English or French classes) before accepting you (conditional acceptance), you will only be issued a permit for a duration equal to the length of these courses plus one year. When you get accepted into the main program, you can apply to extend your stay as a student from within Canada.
For studying in Quebec, you will have to apply first for a "Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec (CAQ)". After approval of the CAQ, you can then apply for the Study Permit (except if you can request your Study Permit at the Port of Entry - in this case, you can request the CAQ after obtaining the Study Permit).
If you are a resident of one of the eligible countries, you can go through the Student Direct Stream, which an option to fast-track the processing the Study Permit.
Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if you:
For studying in Quebec, you will have to apply first for a "Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec (CAQ)". After approval of the CAQ, you can then apply for the Study Permit (except if you can request your Study Permit at the Port of Entry - in this case, you can request the CAQ after obtaining the Study Permit).
If you are a resident of one of the eligible countries, you can go through the Student Direct Stream, which an option to fast-track the processing the Study Permit.
Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an Open Work Permit if you:
- have a valid Study Permit,
- are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and
- are a full-time student at one of these types of schools:
- a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec,
- a private college-level school in Quebec, or
- a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law.
Designated Learning Institutions
A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs.
In order to be eligible for a Study Permit, you need an acceptance letter from one of these DLIs (the list can be found at the bottom of this page).
Graduating from a DLI does not necessarily mean you will be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). For more information on the PGWP criteria, you can check out this page.
In order to be eligible for a Study Permit, you need an acceptance letter from one of these DLIs (the list can be found at the bottom of this page).
Graduating from a DLI does not necessarily mean you will be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). For more information on the PGWP criteria, you can check out this page.
Financial Requirements
You are required to prove you have enough money to cover tuition fees and to support yourself and any accompanying family members for the first year of studies. You should also make sure that funding will be available for the remaining years of the program of study. The funds and financial support can come from a parent, family member or a friend, and in this case, a letter of support will be required.
There are specific amounts that need to be met and depend on if you will study in Quebec or outside Quebec (amounts below are in Canadian dollars):
Before January 1, 2024:
There are specific amounts that need to be met and depend on if you will study in Quebec or outside Quebec (amounts below are in Canadian dollars):
- Outside Quebec:
Before January 1, 2024:
Number of people | Total Amount for 1 year (in CAD) |
---|---|
Single student | $10,000 |
For one accompanying family member | ADD $4,000 |
For each additional accompanying family member | ADD $3,000 per person |
After January 1, 2024:
Number of family members | Total Amount for 1 year (in CAD) |
---|---|
1 | $20,635 |
2 | $25,690 |
3 | $31,583 |
4 | $38,346 |
5 | $43,492 |
6 | $49,051 |
7 | $54,611 |
For each additional members | $5,559 |
- In Quebec:
Validity of the Study Permit
The validity of the Study Permit is generally equal to the program of studies' duration, plus an additional 3 months. This additional time is given to allow you, either (i) to prepare an application for another permit or visa (Post-Graduate Work Permit, or Visitor for example), or (ii) to prepare your departure to your home country.
In case you want to continue studying in Canada after the expiration of your Study Permit, you need to apply for an extension of your permit.
If you finish your studies earlier than expected, the Study Permit will expire on whichever date comes first : either (i) the expiration date on your Study Permit, or (i) 90 days following the completion of your study program (either the date you receive a communication from your institution that you completed the program, or the date you receive your credential).
In case you want to continue studying in Canada after the expiration of your Study Permit, you need to apply for an extension of your permit.
If you finish your studies earlier than expected, the Study Permit will expire on whichever date comes first : either (i) the expiration date on your Study Permit, or (i) 90 days following the completion of your study program (either the date you receive a communication from your institution that you completed the program, or the date you receive your credential).
What's the Difference between Study Permit and Visa?
It is important that you understand that your Study Permit is not a visa. You will not be allowed entry to Canada without an eTA or a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), and your Permit.
When you first apply for your Permit, you will be issued, either an eTA or a TRV depending on your situation, and you will not have to pay additional fees. However, you will need to check the validity of your eTA and TRV (which could be different that the one in your Study Permit), and if they are single-entry or multiple-entry, so you can renew it if you want to leave Canada and re-enter during your studies.
United States citizens and permanent residents, as well as residents of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon do not need an eTA or a TRV and are allowed to apply for the Study Permit directly at a Canadian Port of Entry.
When you first apply for your Permit, you will be issued, either an eTA or a TRV depending on your situation, and you will not have to pay additional fees. However, you will need to check the validity of your eTA and TRV (which could be different that the one in your Study Permit), and if they are single-entry or multiple-entry, so you can renew it if you want to leave Canada and re-enter during your studies.
United States citizens and permanent residents, as well as residents of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon do not need an eTA or a TRV and are allowed to apply for the Study Permit directly at a Canadian Port of Entry.
How to Apply for the Study Permit
In most cases, if you want to get a Study Permit, you need to apply online, whether you are inside or outside of Canada.
You must have a debit/credit card to pay the fees and a camera/scanner to make electronic copies of your documents.
One exception to applying online is if you have a disability that makes it difficult to apply online or if you have a specific type of identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees, or stateless persons. In those exceptional cases, you can apply on paper.
The second exception is that you can apply for a Study Permit at of Port of Entry if you are a:
You must have a debit/credit card to pay the fees and a camera/scanner to make electronic copies of your documents.
One exception to applying online is if you have a disability that makes it difficult to apply online or if you have a specific type of identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees, or stateless persons. In those exceptional cases, you can apply on paper.
The second exception is that you can apply for a Study Permit at of Port of Entry if you are a:
- citizen of the U.S.
- permanent resident of the U.S.
- person who has lawfully been admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence
- resident of Greenland, or
- resident of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
Supporting Documents for a Study Permit
As of January 22, 2024, most students need to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study. Each province's process to obtain a provincial attestation letter is expected to be in place by March 31, 2024.
The PAL is not required if you are applying to study in a preschool, primary school or secondary school (up to grade 12), in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program or if you are already in Canada with Study or Work Permit.
The following list of documents supporting your application is not exhaustive and will help you have a better idea of what you will need:
The PAL is not required if you are applying to study in a preschool, primary school or secondary school (up to grade 12), in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program or if you are already in Canada with Study or Work Permit.
The following list of documents supporting your application is not exhaustive and will help you have a better idea of what you will need:
- Proof of fee payment. Make ensure to include the application processing fee and, if applicable, the biometric fees.
- Photocopy of the information page(s) of your valid passport or travel document which includes: passport number, issuance and expiry dates, photo, name, date and place of birth.
- Photograph(s) meeting the requirements.
- Letter of acceptance from where you intend to study, it must be issued by the Canadian institution on official letterhead, showing the exact amount of tuition fees you are required to pay, the anticipated starting and finishing dates, and the date by which you need to register.
- Provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study.
- "Certificat d'acceptation du Québec" (CAQ) if enrolled in an institution in Quebec.
- Proof of financial support. Examples of supporting documents:
- Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you've transferred money to Canada,
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution,
- Proof of a student or education loan from a bank,
- Bank statements for the past 4 months,
- Bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars,
- Proof you paid tuition and housing fees,
- Letter from the person or school giving you money, and/or
- Proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program.
- Photocopy of your Marriage License/Certificate if married.
- Photocopy of your current immigration status if your country of residence differs from the country of citizenship listed on your passport.
- Your medical exam report, if applicable.
Biometrics Requirements
You may need to provide biometrics (fingerprints scanning and photograph). You can find more information on Biometrics in this page.
Medical Examination Requirements
Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to undergo a Medical Exam. For more information, check our medical exams section.
Police Certificate Requirements
You may need to supply police certificates for any country you have resided in for a minimum of 6 consecutive months. Wait until you are invited to supply any police certificate before submitting it.
There are specifications for each country, use this link and choose your country for detailed information.
There are specifications for each country, use this link and choose your country for detailed information.
Application Fees
The application fees for a Study Permit are $150.
Processing Times
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a target service standard of processing:
The current average processing times for a study permit can be found here. Select "Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)", then either "Study permit (from outside Canada)" or "Study permit (from inside Canada)".
- 80% of study permit applications submitted outside Canada within 60 days, and
- 80% of study permit applications submitted inside Canada (initial and extension) within 120 days.
- 59% of study permit applications submitted outside Canada within the 60-day standard, and
- 84% of study permit applications submitted outside Canada within the 120-day standard.
The current average processing times for a study permit can be found here. Select "Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)", then either "Study permit (from outside Canada)" or "Study permit (from inside Canada)".