How to Get a Canadian Study Permit

A study permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows international students to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. Once you obtain a letter of acceptance from a DLI, you will also need to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to submit an application to IRCC for a study permit.

Steps to Obtain a Study Permit #

1. Obtain a Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
   • Receive an LOA from a DLI in Canada.
2. Obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
   • Acquire a PAL from the province or territory where the DLI is located, unless exempt.
3. Prove Financial Support
   • Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover the first year of tuition, living expenses, and return transportation to your home country.
4. For Studies in Quebec
   • Obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ).
5. Clean Record and Health
   • Have a clean criminal record and potentially provide a police clearance certificate.
   • Be in good health and possibly complete a medical examination.
6. Convince the Immigration Officer
   • Satisfy the immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.
7. Supporting Documents
   • Passport for the applicant and any family members.
   • Two passport photos for the applicant and each family member with full names and dates of birth written on the back.
   • Photocopy of marriage certificate, if applicable.
   • Any further documents required by specific visa offices.

Fast-Track Option: Student Direct Stream (SDS) #

You can get your study permit faster through the SDS if you live 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, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

SDS Eligibility Requirements #

• Be a legal resident living in one of the SDS countries.
• Have an LOA from a Canadian DLI.
• Have a PAL from the province or territory where the DLI is located.
• Live outside of Canada when applying.
• Proof of first-year tuition payment.
• Proof of travel costs coverage.
• GIC of $20,635 CAD with a participating Canadian bank.
• CAQ if studying in Quebec.
• Complete a medical exam if required.
• Obtain a police certificate if required.
• Have recent school transcripts.
• Obtain a language test result with minimum scores (IELTS, TEF, CELPIP, CAEL, PTE, or TOEFL iBT).

Financial Support #

Applicants must prove they have enough money to cover the first year of tuition fees and living expenses.

Financial Proof May Include #

• Canadian bank account statements.
• GIC from a participating financial institution.
• Proof of student or educational loan.
• Applicant’s bank statements from the past four months.
• Bank draft in convertible currency.
• Proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees.
• Letter from the person or institution providing money.
• Proof of scholarship or funding.

Family or friends may also submit letters confirming their support during the applicant’s studies.

The following table show the amounts that a student is required to possess (all amounts in Canadian dollars):

In Quebec, the financial requirements for prospective students are different. In addition to tuition fees, a prospective international student is required to show that he or she has the following funds, dependent on his or her situation.

If an Application is Approved #

When an application for a study permit is approved, the prospective student will receive:

1. Letter of Introduction (LOI)
   • This letter confirms the approval of the study permit but is not the permit itself. The student must present the LOI to the immigration official upon arrival in Canada, who will then issue the study permit.
2. Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
   • If the student is from a country whose citizens need an eTA, it will be indicated on the LOI. The eTA is linked to the applicant’s passport, so the student must travel with the same passport used in the study permit application.
3. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
   • If the student is from a country whose citizens need a TRV, it will be included in their passport. The TRV must be used to enter Canada before its expiry date. The TRV indicates whether the holder can enter Canada only once (single-entry visa) or multiple times (multiple-entry visa). Applicants are automatically considered for multiple-entry TRVs.

Study Permit Renewal #

Students may need to renew or change their study permit during their studies in Canada.

• If changing institutions, study programs, or levels of study within post-secondary education, students do not need a new study permit but must update IRCC. For example, moving from a Bachelor’s to a Master’s program or changing majors does not require a new permit.
• However, moving from elementary school to high school or from high school to a post-secondary institution requires applying for a change in the conditions of the study permit.

Options After Graduation #

Study permits expire 90 days after graduation, regardless of the date printed on the permit. Graduates must update their status with IRCC within this period to maintain legal status.

Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP) #

Many graduates are eligible to apply for a PGWP, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada for up to three years. Work experience gained on a PGWP can facilitate an application for Canadian permanent residence through programs like the Canadian Experience Class and certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams.

Other Options to Maintain Legal Status #

If a graduate does not apply for a PGWP, they may:

• Leave Canada.
• Apply to change status to a visitor.
• Obtain another work permit if eligible (e.g., employer-specific work permit).
• Apply for another study permit to continue a different study program (e.g., a Master’s degree after completing a Bachelor’s degree).