Study permit essentials: What international students need to know about studying in Canada
Before you can start studying at a university in Canada, you’ll need to obtain your Canadian study permit. Canada requires a study permit for any international student who plans to study for longer than six months. This study permit gives you permission to live, study and work part time in Canada. This guide will walk you through the Canadian study permit application process, so you can confidently prepare to pursue international study in Canada.
What’s a Canadian study permit?
A Canadian study permit is an official document from the Canadian immigration authorities that gives permission for international students to study in Canada. It lets you study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) – a school that has been government approved to host international students.
With a Canadian study permit, you may also be allowed to work up to 24 hours per week during the school year. Anyone who’s studying in Canada for longer than six months must have a valid study permit, and you have to show that you intend to leave Canada after your program is over.
That said, some programs allow you to transition to a postgraduation work permit (PGWP) if you want to work in Canada after graduation and meet eligibility requirements. The cost to apply for a Canadian study permit is CA$150, and the average Canada student visa processing time is 15 weeks.
Eligibility requirements for a Canadian study permit
There are a variety of requirements you’ll need to meet to be eligible for a Canadian study permit, such as:
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- Be accepted into and enroll in a Designated Learning Institution. You can confirm your school qualifies as a DLI here.
- Provide proof that you can financially support yourself during your program
- Demonstrate you intend to leave Canada after completing your studies
- Follow the law and not have a criminal record
- Be in good health and meet Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) requirements for vaccination
How to apply for your Canadian study permit, step by step
The easiest way to submit your Canada student visa application is online. Here are the steps you’ll need to take.
1. Create your online account
Start by creating your online account on Canada’s IRCC website. After receiving an invite code, create your account and sign in.
Once you’re signed into your account, you’ll see a list of documents you must provide to show you’re eligible to travel to and study in Canada. Students from certain countries can alternatively apply through Canada’s Student Direct Stream, which offers faster processing times.
You may be eligible to use Student Direct Stream to apply for your Canada education visa if you’re a resident of one of the following countries:
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- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
2. Gather and submit your documents
Along with filling out the Canadian study permit application, you’ll need to provide the following documents as of October 2024:
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- Valid letter of acceptance: Your Designated Learning Institution in Canada will provide this acceptance letter.
- Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter: You can get this from your school, unless you’re studying in Quebec. If you’re studying in Quebec, you’ll need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the Government of Quebec.
- Identification: This will generally be your passport, along with two passport-size photos.
- Proof of financial support: You’ll need to show you have enough money to cover your first year in university, as well as CA$20,635 to pay for living expenses. The requirements are higher if you’re traveling with family members. If you’re studying in Quebec, you’ll have to show proof of CA$7,541 if you’re under 18 and CA$15,078 if you’re over 18.
Some additional documents you may have to provide include:
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- Letter of explanation: In this letter, you’ll explain to the visa officer why you want to study in Canada, as well as demonstrate you understand your responsibilities as a student.
- Medical exam: You might need a medical exam if you recently traveled to certain countries or will be working in a job related to public health.
- Custodian declaration for minors: This form may be required if you’ll be traveling to Canada with a minor.
- Country-specific documents: Depending on where you’re from, you may have to provide some other information.
3. Pay the required fees
It costs CA$150 to apply for a Canadian study permit. You can pay online with a credit card or prepaid card. The IRCC website accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB and UnionPay.
4. Provide your biometrics
You may be required to provide your fingerprints and photo to get your Canadian study permit. It’s best to book an appointment at a biometrics collection site ahead of time to make sure they can accommodate you.
If this appointment is required, book it as soon as possible to avoid processing delays with your study permit application. The biometrics fee is CA$85 per individual.
5. Await the decision
Once you’ve submitted everything, IRCC will review your application and notify you if any documents are missing. You might also be asked to send more information or attend an interview with Canadian officials in your country of residence.
You can check the status of your application by signing into your account on the IRCC website. Once your study permit application has been processed and approved, you can travel to Canada and begin your studies at university.
Can international students work in Canada?
Unless otherwise specified, your Canadian study permit allows you to work up to 24 hours per week off campus after your program has started. During scheduled breaks, such as winter and summer holidays, you can work an unlimited number of hours.
To work in Canada, you’ll need to get a social insurance number (SIN). You can apply for an SIN online here. You’re also allowed to work remotely for an employer in another country. This type of work won’t count toward the 24 hours per week maximum.
If you want to work in Canada after your program ends, you must apply for a work permit or postgraduation work permit. A postgraduation work permit can allow you to live and work in Canada for up to three years, but only some universities are eligible for these permits.
Check with your school to find out if your program is eligible for a postgraduation work permit.
Preparing for your studies in Canada: Final tips
Once you’ve got your Canadian study permit sorted out, you’re ready to embark on your educational journey in Canada. Studying abroad can be an exhilarating experience, but there can also be challenges with adjusting to the local culture and norms.
Give yourself plenty of time and patience as you adjust to the new way of life. Make sure to use university resources that can ease your transition, such as an international student services office, academic tutoring, advising and writing help.
You might also join clubs and participate in extracurricular activities to make friends and have fun outside the classroom. Time management is key, too, so come up with a schedule that will help you balance your courses, activities and social time.
Finally, don’t forget about the weather. A lot of places in Canada get quite cold in the winter, which you may not be used to if you’re from a warm climate. Arrive prepared with warm clothes to get you through the winter months. One option available is to purchase warm clothes at thrift stores.
For more guidance, check out our tips to prepare for studying abroad in Canada.
Get visa support from MPOWER Financing
Along with providing fixed-rate student loans to help you pay for university in Canada, MPOWER offers visa support through its Path2Success program. We help students navigate the immigration process and support you as you apply for your study permit.
In partnership with the Canadian immigration experts at BorderPass, MPOWER can connect you with Canadian immigration lawyers and professional immigration experts. Learn more about how our Path2Success program can support you with step-by-step guidance for your journey to Canada.
