Study Permit
Temporary Residents
Popular study permit programs and
requirements to maintain legal status in canada
Regular Stream
Individuals of all ages who wish to study in Canada
Length of stay and validity
Processing time
Work while studying
Work after graduation
Basic requirements
Passport
Letter of Acceptance
Provincial Attestation Letter
Financial requirements
Intention of leaving Canada
Medical requirements
Family members requirements
Admissibility requirements
Minors under 17
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
Basic requirements
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 a licensed childcare centre
Asylum family members
Distance learning
Minors of workers or students
Short-term programs
under six months
Meeting all minimum requirements does not guarantee that a study permit will be issued.
While not required, a study permit for a short-term program may allow international students to work off-campus and maintain legal status if they transition to a longer 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.
The Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and tuition fees will be refunded to the applicant if the study permit application is refused.
Applicants must apply to extend their status before or on the expiry date of their current authorization to maintain valid temporary resident status.
Overstaying may result in enforcement actions such as removal orders, inadmissibility findings, or refusal of future visas or permits.
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 24 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 study in Canada and may be authorized to work within the permitted limits
- A study permit is not a visa or travel document and does not replace a valid entry document
- If the program ends early, the study permit will become invalid 90 days after completing the studies regardless of the expiry date
PAL/TAL exemption:
- Primary and secondary students (kindergarten to grade 12)
- Master's and doctoral degree students at public DLIs
- Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot students
- Certain Government of Canada priority groups and vulnerable cohorts
- Certain exchange students and Global Affairs Canada scholarship recipients
- Existing study permit holders extending at the same DLI and same level of study
- Students studying in Quebec may still require a CAQ
Basic requirements
- Have a valid passport or travel document
- Have a Letter of Acceptance from a designated institution
- Have a PAL/TAL where required
- Eligible PhD students applying online from outside Canada and accompanying family members applying together may receive faster processing, with IRCC aiming to process complete applications within 2 weeks after LOA verification
Ties to home country
Demonstrate that you will leave Canada when your authorized stay expires. Relevant ties may include:
- Job or study
- Financial assets
- Family
Financial requirements
- Applicant must demonstrate enough funds to cover tuition, living and travel expenses for themselves and accompanying family members (if any)
- Funds must be available without relying on employment in Canada
- Show sufficient funds for the first year of studies
- For programs longer than 1 year, demonstrate how the remaining duration of studies will be funded
Updated: September 14, 2026 13:16
| Number of family members | After Sep 1, 2026 | By Aug 31, 2026 | Quebec only |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $23,448 | $22,895 | $24,617 |
| 2 | $29,192 | $28,502 | $34,814 |
| 3 | $35,888 | $35,040 | $42,638 |
| 4 | $43,572 | $42,543 | $49,234 |
| 5 | $49,419 | $48,252 | $55,045 |
| 6 | $55,736 | $54,420 | $60,299 |
| 7 | $62,054 | $60,589 | $65,553 |
| Each additional more | $6,318 | $6,170 | $5,254 |
- 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)
