Frequently asked questions: Studying in Canada
Study permits
Do I need a study permit to study in Canada?
Most students need a study permit to study in Canada, but there are some exceptions. To find out more, see the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Related Links
How do I apply to study in Canada?
You must have a letter of acceptance from a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada before you can apply for a study permit.
In most cases, you must apply for a study permit before coming to Canada. You can apply at the Canadian visa office responsible for your country. To find out more, see the Related Links at the bottom of this page.
Related Links
How do I find out about schools, colleges, universities or other educational institutions in Canada?
Canada offers a wide range of opportunities for foreign students. For more information on choosing a school, college or university, see the Related Links at the bottom of this page.
Related Links
When should I apply for my study permit?
You should apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from the educational institution. The time needed to process an application to study in Canada may be different at various visa offices.
You can check application processing times in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. This will give you an idea of how long it will take to process your application.
What is a temporary resident visa?
A temporary resident visa is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office. It is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident.
Depending on your citizenship, you may need a temporary resident visa to enter Canada. A list of the countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Canada is in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
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How do I apply for a temporary resident visa?
If you need a temporary resident visa in addition to your study permit, you do not need to submit a separate application or pay an additional fee when you apply for your study permit at a visa office.
If you need a temporary resident visa, but you do not need a study permit, you can find an application form under Find an application form or guide in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
How do I get information on studying in Quebec?
To study in Quebec, you first need to get a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (certificate of acceptance) from the province of Quebec. Then you can apply for a study permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
For more information on studying in Quebec, consult the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Related Links
How do I pay the fee for a study permit?
You must pay a processing fee with your application. The fee will not be refunded, even if your application is refused. Check the website of the visa office where you submit your application to find out how you can pay the fee. In most countries, you can pay in the local currency.
You can find a list of Canadian visa offices in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
How do I find out if I need a medical examination to study in Canada?
You will need a medical examination if:
- you will be in Canada for longer than six months, and you come from a designated country/territory for which Canada requires a visa.
Find more information about medical examinations.
How do I renew my study permit while I am in Canada?
If you want to renew your study permit, you must apply before the permit expires. If your study permit has expired, you must leave Canada. In some cases, you may be able to apply for restoration of status. However, you are not allowed to study until your status has been restored.
See the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for more information.
Related Links
How do I get a copy of a lost study permit?
If you lose any immigration document issued by the Government of Canada, you can get it replaced. You must complete an application and pay a fee. Contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre (see Contact Us at the top of this page) or see the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for more information.
There is a fee for replacing immigration documents that have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
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Am I allowed to return home for a visit or travel outside Canada during my studies?
If you leave Canada and want to return, you must have:
- a valid passport or travel documents
- a valid study permit if you are returning to study in Canada and
- a valid temporary resident visa if you are a citizen of a designated country for which Canada requires a visa.
If you are a citizen of a designated country and you travel to a country other than the United States, Greenland or Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, you will need a multiple-entry visa to re-enter Canada. If your temporary resident visa has expired or if your visa was only valid for a single entry, you must re-apply for a temporary resident visa at a Canadian visa office outside Canada before you can re-enter Canada.
I am already in Canada and have a valid study permit. I would like to change my school or program of studies. What do I need to do to modify my study permit?
If you are changing schools and/or your program of study but remain at the same level (e.g., secondary level), you do not need to modify your study permit.
However, if for example you are a student at the primary school level and you are moving on to secondary school, or if you are a secondary school student and you are moving on to post-secondary studies, or if you are moving from post-secondary studies to secondary studies, you need to submit an application to modify your study permit at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, Alberta.
Can I fill out one form for my entire family if we are traveling together?
No. Each individual applicant must complete and sign the appropriate form for the purpose of their trip to Canada, including any other supplementary forms as required. For example, you may require a visitor, student permit or work permit application form. Each applicant aged 18 and over must also complete the Family Information (IMM 5645) form.
You can submit all family member application forms in the same envelope with one payment receipt for the total amount of all your applications.
Do my children need to complete the new application form?
Parents or guardians can assist children in filling out their forms. Parents or guardians must sign the forms on behalf of any children under the age of 18.
However, if your child is aged 18 and over, they must complete and sign their own application forms as well as any other required forms.
If I submitted an older application form, do I need to resubmit my application using the form that is currently on the CIC Web site?
There is no need to resubmit applications. Applications previously received on older forms will continue to be processed in the queue in which they were received. For questions regarding processing times, please check our processing times.
Work permits for students
How do I find out if I can work while studying in Canada?
Foreign students can work in Canada during their studies, and after they graduate. In most cases, you will need to apply for one of the student-related work permits, which are required if you want to work in a co-op/internship placement, off campus, or after graduating from your studies (Post-Graduation Work Permit Program). Find out if you qualify by reviewing the information on work permits for students in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Related Links
Can I still work in Canada even if I don’t apply under a student-related work permit program?
If you are not eligible or do not want to work under a student-related work permit program (such as the Off-Campus Work Permit Program, On-Campus Work Program, Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, or Internship/Co-op Program), you can apply for a work permit to work in Canada during or after your studies under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. See the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
It is illegal for you to work in Canada without a valid work permit.
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If I receive an off-campus work permit for how long is it valid?
Your work permit will generally be valid for the same period as your study permit. It will allow you to work off campus until you complete your studies, as long as you still comply with the program requirements and with the conditions of both your work permit and study permit.
Is there a fee to apply for an off-campus work permit?
Yes, the fee is C$150.
Once I apply for an off-campus work permit, how long will it take to process my application?
You can find information on application processing times in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
Individual circumstances may affect the processing time. They include:
- whether you are eligible for the program and
- whether your application is complete.
If I am eligible and the institution where I study is participating in the program, can I apply for a job off campus right away, or do I have to wait until I receive my off-campus work permit?
You can apply for a job right away, but you cannot legally work off campus in Canada until you receive an off-campus work permit. If you begin to work off campus before you receive an off-campus work permit, you could become ineligible to participate in the Off-Campus Work Permit Program. It is illegal for you to work in Canada without a valid work permit.
Are there any restrictions on where I can work or the type of job that I can apply for under the Off-Campus Work Program?
You will be able to work anywhere in Canada as long as you remain a full-time student with a satisfactory academic standing while classes are in session and you comply with the conditions of your work permit.
In some cases, there may be restrictions on the type of job you can hold. For example, you may be required to undergo a medical examination for some occupations, such as:
- workers in the health services fields
- teachers of primary or secondary schools or other teachers of small children
- domestic workers or live-in caregivers
- workers who give in-home care to children, the elderly or individuals with a disability
- day nursery employees and
- some agricultural workers.
If you have questions, contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre (see Contact Us at the top of this page).
Are there any restrictions on how many hours I can work once I receive my off-campus work permit?
Once you receive your off-campus work permit, you can work up to 20 hours per week off campus while classes are in session. You can work full time during scheduled breaks, including summer or winter holidays and reading weeks.
While classes are in session, you must be studying full time and retain satisfactory academic standing to keep your off-campus work permit.
I am considering studying in Canada. Can I apply for an off-campus work permit at the same time as I apply for my study permit?
No, you cannot apply for a study permit and an off-campus work permit at the same time. To qualify for the program, you must already hold a valid study permit, and you must have been a full-time student at a participating institution for at least six of the last 12 months before you apply.
What must I do to extend my stay or change my status (for example, from a full-time student to a full-time worker)?
To make any changes in your immigration status or to extend your stay in Canada, you must submit an application to change conditions or extend your stay in Canada. See the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Related Links
Why is the Off-Campus Work Permit Program not available to foreign students when they start their studies?
The likelihood of students quitting their study program is highest during the first few months of study. Citizenship and Immigration Canada wants to ensure that work permits are issued to legitimate students. When they apply, these students will be required to prove they have been studying full time for six of the last 12 months at a participating institution.
How do I find out if the institution where I study participates in the Off-Campus Work Permit Program?
You can check the list of participating institutions in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Related Links