Study Visa

More than 130,000 students come to study in Canada every year and even more come to Canada to learn English or French. Foreign students bring a rich culture to our classrooms. Canada welcomes your knowledge and skills its schools. Before you can apply for a study permit, you must have been accepted at a recognized school, university or college in Canada.

In most cases, you must obtain a study permit if you want to study in Canada.

To be eligible to study in Canada

You must have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada.

You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your:

tuition fees

living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and

return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.

You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.

You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.

You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when you have completed your studies.

Exceptions
In some cases, you do not require a study permit to go to school in Canada.

If you wish to study in a short-term course or program

if you plan to take a course or program in Canada that lasts six months or less, you do not need a study permit. You must complete the course or program within the period authorized for your stay in Canada.

Even if you do not need a study permit, it is a good idea to apply for a permit before you come to Canada. If you decide that you want to continue your studies in another program after you complete your short-term course or program, you must apply through a Canadian visa office outside Canada for a study permit if you do not already have one.

Foreign representatives to Canada

If you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, you may not need a permit to study in Canada. You should contact your embassy in Canada. Your embassy can contact the Office of Protocol at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to find out whether you need a study permit.

Members of foreign armed forces

If you are a member of a foreign armed force under the Visiting Forces Act, you do not need a permit to study in Canada. If your family members, including minor children, want to study in Canada, they must meet the requirements.

Working in Canada as an International Student:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada allows International Students to work in Canada in limited situations. International students are required to arrive in Canada with sufficient money support their living expenses and tuition fees. In some cases, a student may work in Canada during the course of study:

On campus without a Work Permit;

Off campus with a Work Permit;

In Co-op and Internship Programs, where work experience is part of the curriculum, with a Work Permit.

In addition, spouses/common-law partners of international students are eligible to work in Canada while their partners study.