Studying in Canada — Applying for a study permit outside Canada (IMM 5269)

Studying in Canada

What is a study permit?

This is the official document issued by an officer that allows someone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada to study in Canada.

Do I require a study permit?

If you are not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a family member of a foreign representative accredited to Canada or a member of the armed forces of a country that is a designated state for the purpose of the Visiting Forces Act, you must obtain a study permit to study in Canada. The Protocol Division of Foreign Affairs issues an acceptance to everyone who has diplomatic, consular, or official status in Canada and their family members. If you have this approval, you do not need a study permit to take courses in Canada.

What courses do not require a study permit?

A study permit is not needed for:

• any program of study that is six months or less that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada;
• courses that are not academic, professional or vocational in nature that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada;
• courses included in tour packages as a secondary activity for tourists; and
• nursery schools or kindergartens.

If your program of study is six months or less but you intend to continue your studies in another program you should apply for a study permit before coming to Canada. This will allow you to apply to extend your stay as a student from within Canada. Otherwise, if you do not hold a study permit you will have to apply for one outside Canada.

When should I apply?

The time required to process an application to study in Canada may vary at different visa offices. You should apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from the educational institution.

What are the requirements I must meet?

You must show the officer that you meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations and that you will be in Canada for a temporary stay. You must also:

• satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies;
• have been accepted by an educational institution;
• prove that you have enough money during your stay in Canada to pay for:
  • tuition fees;
  • living expenses for yourself and accompanying family members; and
  • return transportation for yourself and accompanying family members;
• be law abiding and have no record of criminal activity (you may be asked to provide a Police Clearance Certificate);
• not be a risk to the security of Canada;
• produce any additional documents requested by the officer to establish your admissibility;
• complete a medical examination, if required.

What documents do I need to apply for a study permit?

Complete the application form, and include the documents listed below.

Important: Although the documents listed below are normally needed in support of your application, local requirements may also apply. You must satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada. Visit the local website of the visa office responsible for your area or contact their office to verify all required documents, before submitting your application.

1. Proof of acceptance

• for attendance at a university, college or technical institution, a letter from the educational institution to show:
  • the name of the institution;
  • confirmation of your acceptance and/or registration as a student;
  • the course of study;
  • the duration of the academic program; and
  • the latest date you may register.
• for attendance at a primary or secondary school, a letter from the school board having jurisdiction for the school you are attending (or for private schools, a letter from the school itself), indicating:
  • the name of the school;
  • the level of study; and
  • the duration of the course.

2. Proof of identity

• a valid passport or travel document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it (citizens and permanent residents of the United States, St. Pierre and Miquelon, and Greenland do not require a passport but do require proof of status and citizenship such as a national identity card or an alien registration card); and
• six photos of you and your accompanying family members (see Appendix B Photo Specifications for instructions).

3. Proof of financial support

• evidence that you can support yourself and accompanying family members while you study in Canada. Such evidence may include:
  • proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if money has been transferred to Canada;
  • your bank statements for the past four months;
  • a bank draft in convertible currency;
  • proof of payment of tuition and residence fees;
  • for those with a scholarship or those with a Canadian funded educational program: proof of funding paid from within Canada.
• if foreign exchange control measures exist in your country, you must provide proof that you will be permitted by the exchange control authorities of your country to export funds for all of your expenses.

In addition, note that:

• if you are not a citizen of the country in which you are applying, you must provide proof of your present immigration status in the country of application;
• if the government that issued your passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit this must be obtained before you apply for a Canadian visa; and
• additional documents may be required.

Are there additional documents required if I’m attending an educational institution in Quebec?

Yes, you will also require a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (Quebec Certificate of Acceptance, or CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration et des communautés culturelles (MICC) prior to requesting your study permit at the Canadian visa office.

Your educational institution should give you all necessary information about the procedures that apply in Quebec. For residents of some countries where there is a Quebec Immigration Service or SIQ (such as France, Austria, Mexico or the Hong Kong Administrative Region) you should apply there for your CAQ. Otherwise, you should send your application to the MICC Regional office that serves your educational institution in Quebec (or, if the institution is in the Montreal area, through the Direction des services d’immigration sociale et humanitaire in Montreal).

Refer to the MICC website for appropriate contact information and for the latest updates on the process and documents required in Quebec.

Note: Certain persons do not require a CAQ. Visit the MICC website for a complete list of persons who do not require a CAQ.

Minor children who are travelling alone must have information (name, address, phone number) about the person or school who will be responsible for them. If the child is the subject of a custody order, proof of custody and the other parent’s consent must also be provided. Minors travelling without their parents require a letter of permission from the non-accompanying parent(s) and a letter from their custodian in Canada.

Children coming to Canada to study require a custodianship form until they are of legal age of the province of destination. Legal age varies from one province to another. Children under 18 years of age in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan will require a custodianship form.

Children under 19 years of age in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon will require a custodianship form.

Custodianship forms may be obtained by visiting our website (Acrobat PDF).

Are there any conditions on my study permit?

An officer may impose, vary, or cancel conditions on your study permit. These may include one or more of the following:

• the type of studies or course you may take
• the educational institution you may attend
• the location of your studies
• the time and period of your studies
• the time and place at which you shall report for medical examination or observation
• the time and place at which you shall report for the presentation of evidence in compliance with applicable conditions
• the prohibition of engaging in employment
• the duration of your stay in Canada

May my spouse or common law partner and dependent children accompany me to Canada?

Yes. They may either accompany you to Canada or they may join you at a later date.

Family members are the immediate members of your family. Your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children are your family members. A common-law partner is a person of the opposite or same sex who is currently cohabiting and has cohabited in a conjugal relationship with you for a period of at least one year.

A child must meet the requirements of type A, B or C below to be considered a dependent child:

Type A

He or she is under the age of 22 and single, that is, not married and not in a common-law relationship.

Type B

He or she married or entered into a common-law relationship before the age of 22 and, since becoming a spouse or a common-law partner, has

• been continuously enrolled and in attendance as a full-time student in a post-secondary institution accredited by the relevant government authority; and
• depended substantially on the financial support of a parent.

or

He or she is 22 years of age or older and, since before the age of 22, has

• been continuously enrolled and in attendance as a full-time student in a post-secondary institution accredited by the relevant government authority; and
• depended substantially on the financial support of a parent.

Type C

He or she is 22 years of age or older, has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 22 and is unable to provide for him/herself due to a medical condition.

Your spouse or common-law partner and children must meet all the requirements for temporary residents in Canada. They must satisfy an officer that they are genuine temporary residents who will be in Canada for a temporary stay. They may be required to provide evidence that they are law abiding and have no criminal record. If your family member applies for a temporary resident visa, they must also meet all the conditions to obtain a visa.

Include them on your application by providing their names and other information in the appropriate space on the application form.

Important: You may be required to provide a marriage certificate and birth certificates for any accompanying family members. If you are in a common-law relationship and your common-law partner will accompany you to Canada, you may be required to complete the enclosed form Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) (Acrobat PDF). Also provide evidence outlined on the form to support your relationship.

If your family members wish to follow you to Canada at a later date, they must make a separate application for admission.

May my children attend school?

Your accompanying children may be able to study in Canada. They must apply for a study permit at the same time as your application. If they intend to join you later they must obtain a study permit before coming to Canada to join you.

Will I or my family members need a medical examination?

In some cases you will require a medical examination. If a medical examination is required, you will be informed by an officer who will provide instructions on how to proceed. It may add over three months to the processing of your application.

May I leave, then re-enter Canada?

In order to return to Canada, you must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document. You also need to hold a valid study permit if you are returning to study in Canada.

If you are a citizen of a country that requires a temporary resident visa to travel to Canada, you will also need to be in possession of a valid entry visa to return, unless:

• you are returning to Canada following a visit only to the United States or St-Pierre and Miquelon; and
• you return before the expiry of the period initially authorized for your entry or any extension to it, either as a visitor, student or worker.

Possession of these documents does not guarantee re-entry. All persons must establish that they meet all of the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations before being authorized to enter or re-enter Canada.

Note: Citizens of the United States do not require passports or travel documents to enter or return to Canada. Permanent residents of the U.S. do not require passports or travel documents if they are entering or returning to Canada from the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon. However, both must provide documentary proof of citizenship or permanent residence, such as a national identity card or an alien registration card.

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