What is a Canadian Study Permit?
Every year, over 130,000 students come to Canada to study. In order to do so, they must obtain a study permit issued by the Canadian government. This permit, which is a type of Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) allows students to study in Canada for a temporary period of time, and typically indicates the educational institution they are attending and course of study. To qualify, an applicant must fit a certain set of requirements.
How to Get a Study Permit
To get a Canadian study permit, you must first apply to a designated learning institute. Once accepted, you may proceed to apply for a study permit. Along with the application itself, you will be required to submit certain documentation, as well as meet all requirements set by the Canadian government.
Study Permit to Permanent Residency
Many international students in Canada finish their studies with the hopes of obtaining work and remaining in Canada permanently. In certain Express Entry categories, students may be eligible for permanent residence without any work experience. Often though, students will apply for work and then a work visa to stay temporarily. After having gained academic and work experience in Canada, they may have more options to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
Canadian Study Permit Requirements
In order to qualify for a study permit, you must:
Satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies
Have a letter of acceptance from an educational institution
Prove that you have money for the duration of your stay in Canada to pay for tuition fees, and living expenses for yourself and
accompanying family members.
Be law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity
Not be a risk to the security of Canada
Be in good health (complete a medical examination, if required)
Note: You may need to produce any additional documents requested by the officer to establish your admissibility.
The Top 4 FAQs About Canadian Study Permits
- How long can I study in Canada?
- Can I work while on a Study Permit?
- Do I always need a Study Permit to study in Canada?
- Can I extend my study permit?
How Long Can I Stay in Canada?
- If you’re taking prerequisite courses
If your school asks you to take courses before they accept you into the main program, your study permit will be valid for the length of those courses, plus 1 year.
When you get accepted into the main program, you must then apply to extend your stay as a student.
- If you’ll finish your studies after your study permit expires
If you don’t finish your courses before the date on your permit, you must apply to extend your stay as a student. If you don’t, you’ll need to stop studying and leave Canada.
- If you finish your studies before your study permit expires
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’ve completed your studies on the date your school first notifies you by completion letter, transcript, degree, or diploma.
Applying for the Student Direct Stream (SDS)
Those foreign nationals from a specific list of countries have the ability to apply for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) which is ultimately for faster, more efficient study permit processing.
Check out more information about the Student Direct Stream!
What if You Are Refused?
Resources for Prospective Students
If you are interested in studying in Canada, you will first need a letter of acceptance from an educational institution, meaning you will need to apply to the university directly. Canada offers great opportunity for higher learning at a number of institutions. Here we have highlighted some options to serve as a starting point in deciding where to apply.
