Study Permit Conditions
In order to keep your study permit, you must meet a set of conditions:
- Be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Be enrolled full-time or part-time during each academic semester and actively work towards completing your program’s courses
- Not taking authorized leaves from your program of study for longer than 150 days
- Inform the Government of Canada if you decide to change post-secondary schools
- If you no longer meet the requirements of being a student, you must end your studies and leave Canada when your permit expires
There may also be other requirements on your study permit such as:
- The level of studies you can attend
- If you’re allowed to work in Canada as a student (includes co-op and internships)
- If you’re allowed to travel within Canada
- The specific date you must stop studying by
If you don’t meet the conditions to keep your study permit, you may be asked to leave Canada and you might also have to wait for 6 months before you are allowed to apply for a new study permit.
Some study permit holders are exempt from meeting all of the conditions to keep their study permit. Find out if you are eligible to be exempt here.
Study Permit Requirements for Eligibility
In order to apply for a study permit, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be accepted and enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Proof of funds to pay for tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation out of Canada
- Have no criminal record (police certificate may be required)
- Are in good health (medical exam may be required)
- Prove that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires
How to Apply for a Study Permit in Canada
- Gather Documents
Use the document checklist to make sure you have all of the documents required for your study permit application. If the documents are not in English or French, you will need to provide a translation from a certified translator.
- Complete Your Application
You must complete all of the required forms fully and accurately in order to have your application processed without delays. For a complete guide with instructions on completing the required forms, visit this link.
- Pay Your Fees
You will need to pay the $150 CAD application processing fee along with the $85 CAD biometric fee. You can pay your fees online at this link.
- Submit Your Application
Once you have completed your application and paid your fees, it’s time to submit your application online. If you aren’t able to submit your application online, you can mail your application package to a Visa Application Centre.
Can you apply for a study permit online?
Yes, you can apply for a Canadian study permit online through your Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account. You can log in or create an account here.
It is recommended to apply online as your application can be processed more quickly and there are no courier fees or mail delivery time. You can also easily upload additional documents if required and check the status of your application all through your IRCC account.
How long is the processing time for study permits and extensions?
The processing time for Canadian study permits depends on a variety of factors. Study permit applications typically take 8+ weeks to process.
You can check the latest processing times for study permits here.
Simply select “temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)” under the “application type”. Then select the study permit application that applies to you – from inside or outside Canada or study permit extension.
How do I apply for a study permit extension?
On the top right hand corner of your study permit, you will find the expiry date for when you have to stop studying and leave Canada. The expiry date is usually 90 days after the length of your program.
If you want to continue studying in Canada, you will need to extend your study permit. You need to apply to extend your study permit at least 30 days before the expiry date. You should also make sure that your passport doesn’t expire since your study permit cannot be extended longer than your passport’s expiry date.
If you apply for an extension before your current study permit expires, you may continue to study under the same conditions as long as you remain in Canada. If your study permit expires, you may remain in Canada while you wait to receive your new study permit. However, you must stop your studies until you receive your new study permit.
Study Permit Extension Document Checklist
You can use this document checklist to help with gathering all the supporting documents required to apply for a study permit extension.
You must complete and submit the following forms for your application:
- Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM 5709]
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (if applicable)
- Custodian Declaration – Custodian for Minors Studying in Canada [IMM 5646] (if applicable)
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (if applicable)
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual [IMM 5475] (if applicable)
Can I extend my study permit online?
Yes, you can apply to extend your study permit online. You will need to log in to your Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account in order to complete the process.
If you do not wish to complete your study permit extension online, you can also apply on paper here.
What are the fees for study permits and extensions?
The fee for study permit applications is $150 CAD. The fee to extend a study permit is also $150 CAD.
If your status in Canada has expired within the last 90 days, you will need to pay a restoration fee of $200 CAD to restore your status.
This means if your study permit has expired you will need to pay $350 CAD total ($150 for the study permit and $200 for the restoration fee).
What to do if your study permit extension is rejected
If your study permit application or study permit extension is rejected, a visa officer will provide a letter of refusal which outlines the grounds for refusal. You have two options:
- Appeal the decision if you believe that your application met all the requirements and was unfairly rejected.
- Submit a new application if you believe that the grounds for refusal are valid. In your new application you should pay special attention to address the reasons your previous application was refused for.
Working with an immigration lawyer can help to get your study permit approved, especially if your application was previously rejected.
What to do if you lost your study permit
If you lose your study permit, you will need to fill out this application and pay a fee in order to receive a replacement.
You should review this instruction guide prior to filling out the application.
Am I eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit after my studies?
If you graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and you want to work in Canada, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
It’s important to note that only graduates from select programs at designated learning institutions are eligible for PGWP. You can check if your program from a DLI meets the criteria for PGWP here.
Can I apply for Express Entry after studying in Canada?
After completing your studies in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Worker Program under the Express Entry system.
Some of the programs may require Canadian work experience which you can obtain by applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) so you are eligible to work in Canada.
Am I eligible for the Ontario Provincial Nominee program?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers an Employer Job Offer: International Students stream which allows international students with a job offer in a skilled occupation to apply for a provincial nomination to permanently live and work in Ontario.
If you are interested in the Employer Job Offer: International Students stream offered by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), you can learn more here.
Can I sponsor my spouse if I have a study permit?
If you have a valid study permit and are a full time student at the following kinds of schools, your spouse or common-law partner might be eligible for an open work permit:
- Public post-secondary school or CEGEP in Quebec
- A private college level school in Quebec
- A Canadian private school that can legally award degrees such as Bachelors, Masters, or Doctors under provincial law
If approved, your spouse’s work permit will be valid for the same amount of time as your study permit.
Trade Assessment Support
Business Immigration
Self-employed Program
Our colleges-partners
If you have any questions, or you have any doubts/concerts about education in Canada, or if you just wish to ask us for help with your programs, please reach out to us. We will gladly answer all of your questions. We are able to present and support your interests to the governmental bodies and agencies of Canada, including with regard to immigration. We are a licensed company that is able to meet all your immigration needs — R514071.
