Study Permit: Necessity, Eligibility, and How To
Published on 2022-10-22; updated on 2023-06-25
A Study Permit (SP) is a document the government of Canada issues that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada.
Necessity
Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study for more than 6 months at a DLI in Canada. However, the following activities are not considered studies for the purposes of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and do not require a study permit:
- pre-school
- courses of general interest or self-improvement
- distance learning
- audited courses
A foreign national is exempt from the study permit requirement in certain situations. For example, a minor child inside Canada is exempt from the study permit requirement if one of the child's parent is a study or work permit holder. (However, minor children intending to study are required to apply for a study permit before entering Canada.) Another example is about Short-term courses: Foreign nationals may enter Canada or remain in Canada without a study permit to attend a course or program of study of 6 months’ duration or less [
R188(1)(c)].
Even if you don't need a study permit, you may want to get one for two scenarios: 1) continue studying, 2) work on- or off-campus. For more details, please refer to Canada.ca.
Eligibility
You can come to Canada to study by getting a study permit if you
- are enrolled at a DLI
- prove you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees， living expenses, and return transportation.
- have no criminal record
- are in good health
- prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires
Apply from outside or inside Canada
Generally, you must apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. There are exceptions, though.
- Some people can apply for a study permit from within Canada. For example, you’re a minor child in primary or secondary school; or you completed a short-term course or study program required to be accepted at a DLI. However, Canada.ca , accessed on Octber 22, 2022, emphasizes that:
When you apply, you must follow the instructions for applying from outside of Canada. We’ll process your application in the same amount of time as though you’d applied from your home country, outside of Canada.
- In some cases, you can apply when you arrive in Canada at the port of entry. For example, if you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States holding an electronic travel authorization (eTA), you can apply at the port of entry.
When to apply?
A letter of acceptance (LOA) is required for application to your study permit. Because it takes time to process your study permit application, you should apply for your study permit as soon ass you receive your LOA.
- You can check processing times here.
- Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
How to apply?
Typically, application to study in Canada includes the following steps:
- getting a proof of language proficiency, which is usually required to study in a post-secondary institute, but not required by primary or secondary schools;
- obtaining a letter of a LOA from a DLI;
- preparing required documents and fees;
- applying for the study permit;
- giving your biometrics;
- taking an immigration medical exam (IME). You have the option of getting an exam before you apply as well;
- receiving a port of entry letter of introduction and/or a visa if approved if you are outside of Canada, or a study permit if you are in Canada.
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