Canada Services Immigration

Services for Students
Studying in Canada

Student Visas/ Study Permits

Most international students need a Study Permit to study in Canada. You do not need a Study Permit if you are planning to take a course or program in Canada lasting six months or less. However, you must complete the course or program within the period authorized for your stay in Canada.

You can only begin your application for a Student Study Visa once you have been accepted to study at an eligible Canadian institution. You can download the application forms that you will need to submit to the Canadian authorities from the Immigration Canada website www.cic.gc.ca/, or request one your nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate.

Citizens of some countries require a temporary resident visa, as well as authorization to study in Canada. A Study Permit is not the same as a Temporary Resident Visa. These are two different documents.

A Study Permit:

Is a document that allows you to study in Canada.
It is stapled to your passport when you arrived in Canada.
Study Permits are issued for a specific period of time, normally for the length of time necessary to complete your course of study.

A Temporary Resident Visa:

Is a document that allows you to enter Canada.
It is the foil sticker in your passport and is either a single entry visa or a multiple entry visa.
The expiry date on the Temporary Resident Visa indicates the deadline date that the student has to enter Canada.
The Temporary Resident Visa does not need to be renewed when it expires unless you are planning to leave and then re-enter Canada.
Applications for Temporary Resident Visas are only processed at Canadian immigration offices outside of Canada.
You can download information and application kits for a Temporary Resident Visa from the following web site: www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/visa.html
If you are from one of the countries listed here www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html the Officer will process your application for a Temporary Resident Visa as well as a Study Permit. You do not need a separate application.

The time needed to process an application to study in Canada may vary between different visa offices, but you should begin your application at least three months before you intend to begin school. If you do need a visitor's visa, apply for it at the same time as your student authorization and they will be issued together

To submit an application you will need:

a valid passport
a letter of acceptance or admission letter from a Canadian institution
proof that you have enough funds to cover tuition and living costs (i.e. bank draft, transfer letter of credit, scholarship funding, official letter of your sponsorship)

If you come from a country with high health risks www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/dcl.html or if you will be studying or working in a place where protection of public health is essential www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/medexams.html you must past a medical exam and provide the results. A Visa Officer may also request a police certificate to prove to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Officers that you are a responsible person and that you do not have a criminal record.

Immigration Canada provides an online document checklist www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5483E.pdf. If you are unsure of what is required, consult the Visa Office or its Web site to see if you need to fill out any additional forms or provide any additional documents:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/missions.html

You will need to submit your application, fees, and documents to a Visa Office at the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for the country in which you are living. For a list of embassies and consulates, click here: www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/missions.html

If you are a citizen of the U.S.A., Greenland, or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you can apply at a Canadian Port of Entry with the correct documentation.

Studying in Québec

If you are applying to study in Quebec, you will also need a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (Quebec Certificate of Acceptance, or CAQ) issued by the Ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l’Immigration (MRCI).

As the process varies depending on which country you apply from, please see Quebec’s immigration Web site for more information. Your school will also have information about applying to study in Quebec:
www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/anglais/immigration/

Fees

There is a processing fee to apply for a Study Permit. For current rates, see the Fee Schedule for CIC Services: www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/fees.html#study. It is a good idea to verify acceptable methods of payment with the office where you submit your application.

To Maintain Your Student Status

Once you enter the country, it is your responsibility to inform the Canadian authorities if any of the information on your student authorization changes, or if you need an extension. Circumstances where this applies are as follows:

your authorized period of study will end soon
a change in your course of study or institution
if you seek employment off-campus
or if you terminate your studies

If you do not have a valid Study Permit and wish to continue your studies, you will have to leave Canada in order to apply for one.

Arriving in Canada

Before arriving in Canada, obtain current Customs Regulations. In general, you must prepare a list, in duplicate (preferably typewritten), of all the goods you are bringing into Canada: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/customs/individuals/

Be prepared to produce the following documents when you arrive in Canada. You may not be allowed in Canada if any of your documents are missing or if any of the information on your application or letter of reference is wrong:

The letter of introduction from CIC that you received when your Study Permit was approved. This letter shows your permit reference number
Your valid passport
A valid Temporary Resident Visa (if required)
An original or copy of a letter of acceptance from the school at which you are permitted to study
Evidence of financial support
Letters of reference or any other documents recommended by the Canadian embassy, high commission, or consulate in your country.

How Long Can I Stay Canada?

You must leave Canada once your permit expires or if you have not followed the conditions of your permit. In some cases, you may apply for a restoration of status. For more information, click here:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/status-restore.html

You should apply to renew your Study Permit visa if you intend to travel outside Canada and it will expire during that time.

Extending your stay as a Student/ Renewing your Study Permi

Apply to change your permit at least 30 days before your current permit expires. For information and an application kit to renew your study permit, either:

Telephone the CIC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (toll-free); or
Download the application kit from the following web site: www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/