How to Get a Canadian Study Permit
A study permit is a document granted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that permits international students to pursue their studies at a designated learning institution in Canada.
After receiving a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), like a university or college, you’ll need to secure a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) before applying to IRCC for a study permit. This page from themillenniumimmigration.com guides you through the steps to obtain a Canadian study permit.
Overview
An applicant for a Canadian study permit can include family members in their application, allowing them to accompany the applicant to Canada. A spouse may qualify for an open work permit, which lets them work for any Canadian employer, while minor children can attend Canadian elementary and secondary schools. To learn more, click here.
Most international students will need a study permit. However, if your program in Canada lasts six months or less, you do not require one. Additionally, some minor children and other individuals may be exempt from needing a Canadian study permit. To find out more about studying in Canada without a study permit, click here.
How to Obtain a Study Permit
Fast-track option: Student Direct Stream (SDS)
Financial support
If an application is approved
Study permit renewal
Options after graduation
Frequently Asked Questions
For assistance, contact themillenniumimmigration.com.
How to obtain a study permit
It’s essential to apply for a study permit as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance. Processing times for study permits can vary, and applicants might experience delays during peak periods, particularly in the summer months.
To view estimated study permit processing times by country, click here.
To be eligible for a Canadian study permit, prospective students must:
1. Obtain a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
2. Secure a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province or territory where the DLI is located, unless exempt.
3. Demonstrate sufficient financial support to cover the first year of tuition, living expenses, and return transportation to their home country.
4. Obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) if planning to study in Montreal or elsewhere in Quebec.
5. Maintain a clean record. Applicants with a criminal history or those who pose a security risk may be refused. IRCC may request a police clearance certificate.
6. Be in good health. IRCC may require a medical examination.
7. Convince the immigration officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
Additionally, applicants may need to submit the following supporting documents:
Passport for the applicant and each family member included in the application.
Two passport photos for the applicant and each family member, with full names and dates of birth written on the back.
Photocopy of the marriage certificate, if applicable.
Any other documents** requested by specific visa offices.
Fast-track option: Student Direct Stream (SDS)
You can expedite your study permit application through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) if you reside in one of the following countries:
India
China
The Philippines
Pakistan
Vietnam
Morocco
Senegal
Brazil
Colombia
Peru
Antigua and Barbuda
Costa Rica
Trinidad and Tobago
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
IRCC’s processing standard for most SDS applications is 20 calendar days, and applications must be submitted online.
Applicants must be residing in their home country to qualify for the SDS; for example, they cannot apply from another country.
Eligibility Requirements for SDS:
To be eligible, you must:
1. Be a legal resident living in one of the specified countries.
2. Have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian designated learning institution.
3. Obtain a letter of attestation from the province or territory where the DLI is located.
4. Reside outside Canada when applying for the study permit.
5. Provide proof of tuition payment for your first year of study in Canada.
6. Show proof of sufficient funds to cover travel costs.
7. Hold a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $20,635 CAD from a participating Canadian bank.
8. Obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) if you intend to study in Quebec.
9. Complete a medical exam before submitting your application (if required).
10. Obtain a police certificate before submitting your application (if required).
11. Submit your most recent school transcripts (secondary and post-secondary).
12. Provide a valid language test result, meeting at least one of the following criteria:
Minimum score of 6.0 in each skill on the IELTS Academic or General Training (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
TEF score equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill.
CELPIP General score of at least CLB 7.
CAEL score of at least 60.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic score of at least 60.
ETS TOEFL iBT Test score of at least 83.
Financial support
Applicants for a Canadian study permit must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their first year of tuition fees, as well as the financial resources to support themselves and any accompanying family members each year.
Financial resources can be proven with the following documentation:
Canadian bank account statements in the applicant’s name if funds have been transferred to Canada.
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating financial institution.
Proof of a student or educational loan from a financial institution.
The applicant’s bank statements from the past four months.
A bank draft in convertible currency.
Proof of payment for tuition and accommodation fees.
A letter from the person or institution providing financial support.
Proof of scholarships or funding from within Canada.
Family or friends may also submit letters confirming their intention to support the applicant during their studies.
The following table outlines the required financial amounts for students (all amounts in Canadian dollars):
If an application is approved
If an application for a Canadian study permit is approved, the prospective student will receive:
1. A Letter of Introduction (LOI) confirming the approval. This letter is not the study permit itself; the student must present it to the immigration official upon arrival in Canada, who may then issue the study permit.
2. An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if the applicant is from a country whose citizens require one. The eTA will be noted on the Letter of Introduction.
3. Since the eTA is linked to the applicant’s passport, it’s essential to travel with the same passport used for the study permit application.
4. A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) if the applicant is from a country whose citizens need a TRV. The TRV will be affixed in the passport, and the holder must enter Canada before the expiry date on the TRV. The TRV will indicate whether entry is allowed only once (single-entry visa) or multiple times (multiple-entry visa). All applicants are automatically considered for multiple-entry TRVs.
It’s important to note that individuals applying for a study permit do not need to submit a separate application for a TRV. If the study permit application is approved, the TRV will be issued along with the Letter of Introduction.
Study permit renewal
After obtaining a study permit, students may need to renew or modify their permit during their studies in Canada. To learn more about renewing, extending, or changing the conditions of a study permit, click here.
If a student at a post-secondary institution wishes to change schools, study programs, or levels of study, they do not need to apply for a new study permit. However, they must update IRCC when changing institutions. For instance, a student can transition from a Bachelor’s program to a Master’s program, switch from Geography to Philosophy, or move from a college to a university without needing a new study permit. As long as the study permit is valid, the student may continue their studies in Canada.
On the other hand, international students transitioning from elementary to high school, or from high school to a post-secondary institution, must apply for a change in the conditions of their study permit.
Options after graduation
Study permits expire 90 days after graduation, regardless of the expiration date printed on the permit. It is crucial for international graduates to update their status with IRCC within this 90-day period to avoid losing their status in Canada.
Many graduates are eligible to apply for a Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows them to work for any employer anywhere in Canada for up to three years post-graduation. The work experience gained on a PGWP can facilitate an application for Canadian permanent residence, particularly through programs like the Canadian Experience Class and certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. Click here to explore Canadian immigration options available after studying in Canada.
If an international graduate does not apply for a PGWP, they can maintain legal status in Canada by:
Applying to change their status to that of a visitor.
Obtaining another work permit if eligible (e.g., an employer-specific work permit).
Applying for a new study permit to pursue a different program, such as transitioning from a Bachelor’s degree to a Master’s degree.
Leaving Canada.
Contact THE MILLENNIUM IMMIGRATION For Assistance
Need assistance with studying in Canada? themillenniumimmigration.com can help! With over 11 years of expertise in Canadian immigration, we’re here to guide you through the process.
Contact us to schedule a free telephone consultation with one of our lawyers.