Studying in Canada: Study permits—How to apply

Did you know that you can now apply for your study permit online?

There are 10 steps to apply for a study permit:

1. Check the application processing times.
2. Obtain and print the application.
3. Determine where you will submit your application.
4. Collect the documents you need to apply.
5. If studying in Quebec, check the provincial guidelines.
6. Complete your application for a study permit.
7. Pay the correct processing fee.
8. Check your application.
9. Submit the application form.
10. Supply additional information or documents.

1. Check the 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.

2. Obtain and print the application package.
The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.

Depending on your citizenship or where you live, you may need a temporary resident visa as well as a study permit. Check the List of designated countries in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. If you are from one of the designated countries, a visa officer will process your application for a temporary resident visa at the same time. You do not need a separate application.

3. Determine where you will submit your application.
You must submit your application to the visa office that is responsible for the country or region where you live. You can find a list of visa offices in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

4. Collect the documents you need to apply.
You can find a list of the documents you will need to apply for a study permit in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. You can find information on fees and other local requirements on the website of the visa office serving your country or region.

5. If studying in Quebec, check the provincial guidelines.
This step only applies if you want to study in the province of Quebec. If you apply to study in Quebec, you need a certificate of acceptance or CAQ. You can find a link to the website of Quebec’s ministry overseeing provincial immigration in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. Your school can also provide you with information about applying to study in Quebec. You must have received the certificate of acceptance before you apply for a study permit.

6. Complete your application for a study permit.
Fill in the forms carefully and completely.

• Type or print clearly, using black ink.
• Add appropriate characters for languages that do not use the Latin alphabet, such as Chinese, Arabic, Cyrillic, Japanese, Hebrew, etc.
• Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed, but will be returned to you.

7. Pay the correct processing fee.
There is a fee to apply for a study permit. For information about current rates, go to Pay my application fees in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. In many countries, the processing fee can be paid in the local currency. You should check the website of the Canadian visa office serving the country or region where you live for additional information on fees, including how to pay them. The processing fee will not be refunded, even if your application is not accepted.

8. Check your application.
Make sure your application is complete and that you include the necessary documents. Use the document checklist that is included in the application kit. Consult the website of the Canadian visa office serving the country or region where you live to determine if you need to fill out any additional forms or provide any additional documents.

9. Submit the application form.
Sign and date the application form, and be sure you include the receipt for the processing fee. Submit the application form to the Canadian visa office that serves the country or region where you live. You can find a list of visa offices in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

If you are from the United States, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon or Greenland, you can apply at the point of entry when you arrive in Canada.

10. Supply additional information or documents.
After the visa office receives your application, it might request more information or documents. These may include the following:

• Medical information
  In most cases, you will need a medical examination. A visa officer will send you instructions if you need a medical examination. This may add more than three months to the processing time of your application. You can find more information about medical examinations in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
• Security information
  If you want to study in Canada, you and any family members who come to Canada with you, and who are 18 years of age and over, may have to provide police certificates. You can find more information about the security checks that may be required in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

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Related Links

Some of the documents are available to you in Portable Document Format (PDF). This is a universal file format that allows you to read, print or download an online document while maintaining the fonts, graphics and general layout of that document. To view a PDF document, you must have a PDF reader installed. If you do not already have such a reader, there are numerous PDF readers available for free download or for purchase on the Internet.

• Application package to study in Canada
• List of designated countries
• Documents needed to apply for a study permit
• Immigrating to Quebec (ministère de l’immigration et des Communautés culturelles)
• Document checklist [PDF format, 32 KB]