Study permit

Every year about 100 000 students come to Canada to pursue their academic education. Many students come to study French and English. As Canada is culturally diverse country, foreign students contain an essential part in classrooms. However, Canadian law requires special permission for people who come from other countries to study here. Most of them must have Canadian Study Permit. Though, in some cases, this document is not required.

Study Permit requirements

Study Permit Application is the first step to obtain legal permission to pursue education in Canada and you must meet certain requirements which will make your stay eligible. They are the following:

• You must be admitted by the educational institution: school, college, or university
• You must have finances to pay for tuition fees, your living expenses and return transportation.
• You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal records.
• You must be healthy and willing to complete medical exam if it is required.
• You must leave Canada after your study permit expiry

How long can you stay in Canada with a study permit?

A study permit is usually valid for the length of your study program, plus an extra 90 days. This extra time lets you prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay.

• If you can’t finish your courses before the date on your permit, you must apply to extend your stay as a student.
• If you finish your studies early, your permit will stop being valid 90 days after you complete your studies (no matter what day is printed on the study permit).
  You have completed your studies either
  
  • on the date you get the first notification from your school (such as an email, letter, transcript, etc.) or
  • when you get your degree, diploma or certificate.
  • You must prove provide proof of the date you got one of these.

People who don’t need a permit to study in Canada

Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. The cases below are exceptions.

Short-term studies (six months or less)

You can study at any school in Canada without a study permit if:

• your course or program is for six months or less
• your studies aren’t part of a longer program and
• you will complete all your studies within the time we approved you to stay in Canada (usually six months after you enter).

 Family or staff of foreign representatives

You may not need a study permit if you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Your embassy can contact GAC to find out if you need one.

Members of foreign armed forces

If you are a member of a foreign armed force in Canada on official duties, you don’t need a study permit. If your family members (including minor children), want to study in Canada, they may need one.

Registered Indians in Canada

You don’t need a study permit if you are a citizen of another country who has Registered Indian status in Canada.

Minor children in Canada

Minor children don’t need a study permit if they:

• are in kindergarten
• are refugees or refugee claimants
• have parents who are refugees or refugee claimants or
• want to go to pre-school, primary or secondary school, and are already in Canada with a parent who is allowed to work or study in Canada.

 Work part-time on-campus

You can work part-time on-campus if you are registered as a full-time student at a college or university.

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