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Study Visa

Canada welcomes more than 350,000 International Students from foreign jurisdictions each year. A study permit is required for a foreign citizen enrolling at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. A study permit is a temporary status document that permits an international student to study in Canada for a specified time. Before travelling to Canada, you must apply for this document. A student permit holder cannot travel on this document; in order to return to Canada, they must get a visa.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Letter of Acceptance (LOA): Applicant must provide a letter of acceptance from a designated educational institution in Canada.
  • Proof of Funds: Applicant must attach proof of funds which are enough to pay the tuition fees and support themselves during the course of study.
  • Purpose of Stay: Applicant must have a clear purpose of studying in Canada and must satisfy the immigration officer that they will leave the country within the study permits’ validity.
  •  Background Check: Applicant must not have any criminal records in order to obtain a study permit.
  •  Medical Exam: The applicant must be in good health and must undergo a medical exam before coming to Canada.

Student Direct Stream

The Student Direct Stream is open to foreign students who are legal residents of one of the following countries; Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Vietnam or Trinidad and Tobago. The following papers must be submitted in order to apply under this stream:

  • Acceptance letter from a designated learning institution
  • Get a Medical Exam before applying (if needed)
  • Get a Police Certificate before applying (if needed)
  • Have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000
  • Proof that you’ve paid the tuition fees for your first year of study
  • Proof that you graduated from a Canadian curriculum high school ora language test form showing a score of at least 6 for English (IELTS) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens score of at least 7 for French (TEF)
  • If the application doesn’t meet the criteria under this stream, the application will be processed through regular study permit application process

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may also be able to get faster processing on a visitor visa, work permit or study permit. You must complete and submit their applications at the same time as your own. If you don’t, we will not process their applications faster. When you apply online, indicate that you have family members coming with you to Canada. This lets you complete their applications with yours.

Length of Stay

In general, a study permit is valid for the duration of the applicant’s study programme, plus an additional 90 days to prepare to depart Canada or seek to extend your stay.

  • In case you aren’t able to finish your course before the study permit expires, you must apply for an extension of your study permit before expiration of your current permit.
  • In case you finish your study early, your permit will stop being valid 90 days after you complete your studies(no matter what day is printed on the study permit). The completion date could either be the date when you receive a notification from your school, or get a degree, diploma or certificate.

Study Permit Exemptions

  • If you’re coming to Canada for 6 months or less
  • If you’re family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
  • If you’re a member of a Foreign Armed Force in Canada on official duties
  • If you are a citizen of another country who has Registered Indian status in Canada
  • Minor children (some exceptions)

*please note these are minimum requirements, additional requirements will vary with each category/program*