Study Permit
Temporary Residents
Common study permit categories and
how to maintain a legal status in Canada
For citizens of certain countries with faster process time of 20 days
Length of stay and validity
Processing time
Work while studying
Work after graduation
Passport
Letters of acceptance
Financial requirements
Intention of leaving Canada
Medical requirements
Family members requirements
Admissibility requirements
Language
CELPIP 7, CAEL 60, IELTS 6, or
PET 60, TOEFL iBT 83
Individuals of all ages who wish to study in Canada
Length of stay and validity
Processing time
Work while studying
Work after graduation
Passport
Letters of acceptance
Financial requirements
Intention of leaving Canada
Medical requirements
Family members requirements
Admissibility requirements
Minors under 17 who wish to study in a primary or secondary school in Canada
Length of stay and validity
Processing time
Study permit exemption
Passport
Letters of acceptance
Custodian
Financial requirements
Intention of leaving Canada
Medical requirements
Family members requirements
Admissibility requirements
Common cases in which the study permit is not required to study
Foreign representative's family
Pre-school
or kindergarten
Asylum family members
Distance learning
Minors of workers or students
Short-term programs
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.
Summary of the application review process and how to maintain the legal status while in Canada
Obtain letter of acceptance
Submit an application for admission with translated transcripts, language test results and cover letters before admission deadlines.
Application submission
Submit the application online on IRCC system, or on paper to the closest visa application center in the home country.
Biometrics collection
Receive a request from IRCC for biometrics collection at visa application centers to verify identity and admissibility.
Medical examination
Receive a request from IRCC for a medical examination with panel physicians to provide proof of the health conditions.
Decision
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
Have a short discussion at the port of entry with CBSA about personal information and eligibility and receive the study permit.
Language assessment
Take the language assessments recognized by Canada and achieve the minimum required scores.
Obtain letter of acceptance
Submit an application for admission with translated transcripts, language test results and cover letters before admission deadlines.
Obtain GIC Certificates
From a designated financial institution of $10,000 Will be refunded with the interest while studying in Canada.
Application submission
Submit the application online on IRCC system, or on paper to the closest visa application center in the home country.
Biometrics collection
Receive a request from IRCC for biometrics collection at visa application centers to verify identity and admissibility.
Medical examination
Receive a request from IRCC for a medical examination with panel physicians to provide proof of the health conditions.
Decision
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
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.
Crucial elements affect the decision
Common advantages for international students and their family members to study in Canada
International qualifications
Widely accepted with transferable credits and courses to other schools everywhere
Expedited process
Have the next visa applicant processed faster under the CAN+ program
Post-graduation Work Permit
Opportunity to work for up to 3 years after graduation on post-graduation work permit
Work and study
Authorized to work for up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions
Family-friendly
May apply work permit or study permit for spouse, common-law partner or children
Investment Programs
May eligible for provincial investment programs in some provinces
Advantages to immigrate
Eligible and/or have additional points in federal or provincial immigration programs
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
- Bank of Beijing
- Bank of China
- Bank of Montreal (BMO)
- Bank of Xian Co. Ltd.
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
- China Everbright Bank
- DesjardinsFootnote1
- Habib Canadian Bank
- HSBC Bank of Canada
- ICICI Bank
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
- RBC Royal Bank
- SBI Canada Bank
- Scotiabank
- Simplii Financial
- TD Canada Trust
- 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)
