Study permits: Making an application

Foreign nationals who wish to study in Canada must apply for a study permit before presenting themselves at a Canadian port of entry (POE) unless they are one of the following:

• exempt from requiring a study permit (section R188)
• eligible to apply for a study permit on entry (section R214)
• eligible to apply for a study permit after entry (section R215)

On this page

• How applicants can apply
  • Processing applications from overseas
  • Issuing an eTA
  • Who can apply at a POE
  • Who can apply from within Canada
• In-Canada situations
  • Applications for a study permit approved abroad
  • Study permit renewals
  • Visitors in Canada
  • Prerequisite course or program of study in Canada before the main program of study
• Determining the applicants’ status
  • Status as of the date of the application
  • Out of status

How applicants can apply

Foreign nationals require a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. For overseas applications, if the application for a study permit is approved, a TRV or an eTA is issued automatically. There is no separate fee or application for a TRV or an eTA [subsections R296(2) and R294.1(2)] with a study permit application.

As per ministerial instructions 62 (MI62), all applications for a study permit for foreign nationals who are outside Canada at the time of application must be submitted using electronic means—meaning they must apply online. The following are the exceptions to the requirement to apply online for study permits:

• foreign nationals who are outside Canada and who are unable to apply online, including for reasons of a disability, and require accommodation for the use of electronic means
• foreign nationals in possession of an identity or travel document described in paragraph R52(1)(c) issued by a country, that does not prohibit travel to Canada, that the foreign national may use to enter the country of issue and that is of the type issued by that country to non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons who are unable to obtain a passport or other travel document from their country of citizenship or nationality or who have no country of citizenship or nationality.

As per subsection R9.2, all in-Canada visitor extension, study permit and work permit applications must be submitted online, with some exceptions, indicated in subsections R9.4 and R9.5. In addition, see the list of specific programs that are exempt from the in-Canada mandatory electronic application requirement.

All applications, whether from in Canada or overseas, must be made through the IRCC secure account portal or the Authorized Paid Representatives Portal. If an exception to applying online applies, other means can be obtained on the IRCC website.

Processing applications from overseas

For TRV-required foreign nationals, including those eligible to apply for an eTA through eTA expansion, the TRV should be issued for multiple entries. It should be valid for the same period as the study permit or passport, whichever expires first, unless otherwise specified.

For eTA-required foreign nationals, the eTA is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance or until the foreign national’s passport expires, whichever occurs first, regardless of whether or not this date is after the expiry date of the study permit.

Foreign nationals who are eligible for eTA expansion receive a TRV upon the issuance of their initial study permit. If these clients are issued a renewed study permit, they are automatically issued an eTA. However, these foreign nationals still require a TRV to travel by any mode of transportation other than air.

As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States (US) do not need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. In all methods of travel, they must present their passport and proof of their valid lawful permanent resident status in the US (such as a valid green card or a valid I-551 [ADIT] stamp in their passport).

Prerequisite courses

When assessing bona fides and available funds, IRCC offices abroad should consider the applicant’s main program of study before issuing a study permit for a prerequisite course or program.

Some students must participate in a prerequisite English as a second language (ESL) or French as a second language (FSL) program before the start of the academic, professional or vocational program. Students in this situation are issued a study permit for the duration of the ESL or FSL program plus 1 year. The permit includes the condition that the holder is not permitted to engage in off-campus employment in Canada. The student may apply to change their conditions once they

• have successfully completed their ESL or FSL program
• are enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) in an academic, professional or vocational program of study

Issuing an eTA

Once the study permit has been approved, if the foreign national requires an eTA, per section 12.04 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), an eTA control document should be created. If this needs to be done manually, officers should refer to the Global Case Management System (GCMS) instructions to find out how to generate an eTA control document. They must select “eTA/AVE.”

Per section R12.05, the eTA validity must be set for 5 years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever occurs first, regardless of whether or not this date is after the expiry date of the study permit.

Who should not be issued an eTA

An eTA should not be issued with a study permit extension if the foreign national

• has an unenforced removal order
• has been issued a status document stating that “this document does not confer temporary resident status”
• has overstayed their authorized period of stay
• is a temporary resident permit (TRP) holder and is inadmissible to Canada
• is a lawful permanent resident of the United States

In all of the above cases, officers must cancel all valid eTAs, including those issued through the expansion of eTA.

Who can apply at a POE

The foreign nationals who may apply for a study permit when entering Canada (section R214) are any

• national or permanent residents of the United States (US)
• people who have lawfully been admitted to the US for permanent residence
• residents of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon

Who can apply from within Canada

The foreign nationals who may apply for a study permit after entering Canada (section R215), including to change or vary their existing conditions, are the following:

• as of June 1, 2014, foreign nationals in Canada without a study permit who
  • are studying at the preschool, primary or secondary level [subparagraph R215(1)(f)(i)]
  • are a visiting or exchange student studying at a DLI [subparagraph R215(1)(f)(ii)]
  • have completed a course or program of study that is a prerequisite for their enrolment at a DLI [subparagraph R215(1)(f)(iii)]
• foreign nationals and their family members who hold a valid study or work permit [paragraphs R215(1)(a) and (c)]
• foreign nationals who have obtained authorization to engage in studies in Canada without a study permit, pursuant to subsection 30(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) or paragraph R188(1)(a), and whose application is made within the period starting 90 days before and ending 90 days after the expiry of the authorization [paragraph R215(1)(b)]
• foreign nationals and their family members who are subject to an unenforceable removal order, including refugee claimants [paragraph R215(1)(d)]
• foreign nationals and their family members who hold a TRP, pursuant to subsection A24(1), that is valid for at least 6 months
• foreign nationals who are in a situation described in section R207
• in-Canada permanent residence applicants and their family members who are determined eligible for permanent resident status as one of the following:
  • spouses or common-law partners
  • protected persons within the meaning of subsection A95(2)
  • people who have been granted an exemption pursuant to subsection A25(1)
  • people who are subject to humanitarian and compassionate considerations
  • live-in caregivers
• family members of participants in sports activities or events in Canada, either as individual participants or as members of a foreign-based team or Canadian amateur team [paragraph R215(2)(g)]
• family members of
  • designated members of the armed forces [paragraph R215(2)(e)]
  • officers of a foreign government [paragraph R215(2)(f)]
  • employees of a foreign news company [paragraph R215(2)(h)]
  • people responsible for assisting a congregation [paragraph R215(2)(i)]

In-Canada situations

Applications for a study permit approved abroad

Foreign nationals whose application for a study permit has been approved abroad, but who did not obtain their study permit at a POE on their initial arrival (for example, they failed to present a letter of introduction), should contact the IRCC Client Support Centre to learn how to obtain their study permit.

Study permit renewals

An application for a study permit renewal does not constitute an application for a TRV. Therefore, visa-required foreign nationals must apply separately for a TRV and pay the corresponding fee.

Per subsection R12.04(5), an application for a renewal of a study permit for a visa exempt foreign national is considered to constitute an application for an eTA. Therefore, an eTA should be issued upon approval of the study permit (that is, SP-EXT in the GCMS). Clients eligible for an eTA through eTA expansion are also issued an eTA upon the issuance of a study permit renewal.

Visitors in Canada

Foreign nationals who are in-Canada visitors are not eligible to apply for a study permit from within Canada unless they are exempt under section R215. They must submit their application package online or to a VAC. If their application is approved, they must obtain their study permit at a POE.

As of June 1, 2014, foreign nationals who are studying at the preschool, primary or secondary level [subparagraph R215(1)(f)(i)], or who are a visiting or exchange student at a DLI [subparagraph R215(1)(f)(ii)], may apply for a study permit from within Canada. The applicant must provide a letter of acceptance from the DLI at which they are enrolled or will be enrolled.

Visiting students are students who have been admitted to a post-secondary institution for a period of study but who are not admitted into a degree or diploma program. They are students at a foreign institution (often referred to as the student’s home institution) who attend a Canadian institution (referred to as the student’s host institution) for a period of time, with the intent of transferring the credits earned at the host institution back to their home institution. Visiting students pay fees to the host institution.

Exchange students are students who have been admitted to an institution as visiting students. However, they are not subject to any tuition fees from their host institution, as these fees are covered by an exchange agreement between the host and home institutions. In most cases, exchange students do not require a study permit, since their length of stay is usually less than 6 months. However, they may still apply for a study permit. For programs of 6 months or longer in duration, exchange students must apply for a study permit. Students participating in exchange programs are only eligible to work off campus if they hold a study permit. The processing officer must include the appropriate work authorization conditions when issuing a study permit to exchange students.

Prerequisite course or program of study in Canada before the main program of study

As of June 1, 2014, visitors in Canada who have completed a course or program of study that was previously identified as a prerequisite for their admission into a program of study at a DLI may also apply for a study permit from within Canada [subparagraph R215(1)(f)(iii)] if they provide both

• a letter of acceptance received from a DLI before or after the completion of the prerequisite course that confirms the course is a prerequisite for admission to the main program
• proof of successful completion of the prerequisite course, such as a letter from the destination DLI explicitly confirming that the student has completed the prerequisite course or program of study or a notification of completion from the institution at which the prerequisite course was taken

Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for a study permit from within Canada [subparagraph R215(1)(f)(iii)] if they are either of the following:

• unable to provide a letter of acceptance issued by a DLI either before or after the prerequisite course that proves the course is a prerequisite for entry to the main program
• admitted to a program with a language requirement, but a specific language training course or program is not specified in the letter of acceptance as a prerequisite for entry to the main program (for example, wording such as “must provide proof of English proficiency” does not indicate the need for a prerequisite)

Students taking a prerequisite course or program of study may work on campus provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. They are not eligible to work off campus while completing their prerequisite. However, they are able to work off campus once they have completed their prerequisite and started their main program.

Transition between levels of study (primary, secondary and post-secondary)

As of April 11, 2019, students transitioning between levels of study (primary, secondary and post-secondary) are no longer required to apply for a new study permit, provided their current study permit is still valid.

Dual-credit programs

Students do not need to change their study permit when participating in a dual-credit program if they have both of the following:

• a valid study permit authorizing them to attend any secondary school
• only registered and enrolled at a secondary school

Changing post-secondary institutions

Students engaging in post-secondary studies in Canada may transfer between institutions (both public and private) or change their course or program of study without applying for a change to the condition of their study permit, as long as the receiving institution is a DLI. Students attending a DLI may not transfer to a non-DLI.

Students who apply for and obtain a study permit, including renewals, on or after June 1, 2014, must follow these instructions to notify IRCC through their IRCC secure account when they transfer to another DLI.

Determining applicants’ status

The instructions below are to help determine whether or not the applicant has temporary resident status at the time of application. This can be a factor when applying for a study permit extension.

Status as of the date of the application

For electronic applications, the application is deemed to have been received at the time and date indicated by the electronic means as per subsection R9.3(1). The department uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) around the world to ensure that time is equal for all. Therefore, receipt dates and times do not depend on time zones; all applications must be submitted before midnight UTC on the date the applicant’s status expires.

For further information, see Date and time of receipt of application for program instruction regarding receipt of an application.

In cases where an exception to applying online applies, the date the application is physically received at the Case Processing Centre is considered to be the effective date of the application. If the effective date is after the expiry date of the applicant’s status, the officer will backdate the received date by 7 days to account for any mail delivery delays.

Out of status

If the applicant’s status has expired upon receipt of the application, the applicant is to be considered out of status. Officers should refer to section A47 to identify cases where a foreign national loses temporary resident status.

Learn more

• Maintained status during processing (previously called implied status)
• Restoration of temporary resident status