What is a Study Permit?
A study permit allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions in Canada, including elementary and secondary schools, ESL programs, colleges, and universities. It is not required for short-term programs of six months or less.
How to connect a study permit to permanent residence
After completing a degree or diploma in a program of 8 months or more at a public college (limited to six fields of study), university, or graduate school, you may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This will allow you to gain work experience in Canada after graduation, which will benefit your future permanent residence application. For more information, please refer to this link: Study Permit Exemption
Study Permit Exemption
For short-term courses or programs lasting 6 months or less
- For short-term courses or programs lasting 6 months or less, a study permit is not required.
- For short-term programs, you can enrol in any school, whether it is a designated learning institution or not.
- Even for programs lasting 6 months or less, if the school is a designated learning institution, you can obtain a study permit.
Important Notes
- If you wish to obtain a study permit even if your study period is less than 6 months, you must study at a designated learning institution.
Employment rules for study permit holders
Off Campus Work
When enrolled full-time in a designated learning institution's main program (excluding elementary, secondary, and ESL programs), students may work up to 24 hours per week during the school year when classes are in session. Students are also permitted to work unlimited hours during Scheduled Break periods, such as summer and winter vacations.
Post-Graduation Work Permit
Upon graduation from a school program designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), students are issued an open work permit for up to three years, allowing them to work. For more information, please refer to this link: Post-Graduation Work Permit
Co-op Program
A study permit and a work permit are issued at the same time, allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week when classes are in session, and up to 40 hours per week during the co-op work (internship) period. For more information, please refer to this link: Co-op Program
Spousal Open Work Permit
This is an open work permit available to spouses and common-law partners of international students studying in graduate school on a study permit. For more information, please refer to this link: Spousal Open Work Permit
Pathway Program
A pathway is like a college preparatory course and is a special program created by a language school in official partnership with a university, college, or other higher education institution. For more information, please refer to this link: Pathway Program
How to Find a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
When applying for a study permit, you must find out the Designated Learning Institution number (DLI number) that each school has, which begins with the letter “O”, and fill in the study permit application form.
How to find a DLI number
For a list of designated learning institutions, please refer to this link: Designated learning institutions list
Step 1: Select the province in which the school is located. All designated learning institutions in that province will appear.
Step 2: To find a school, enter a keyword (e.g., school name, city where it is located, etc.).
Step 3: Confirm the DLI number and fill in the “Details of intended study in Canada” section of the study permit application form.
All elementary and secondary schools are automatically designated learning institutions and are not on the list. No DLI number is required on the application form.
Study Permit Application Process
01Apply to a designated learning institution
Apply to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), a school officially recognized by the Canadian government.
02Receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the school
Upon payment of all or part of the tuition fees, the school will issue a letter of acceptance.
03Study Permit Application
Upload the required documents to your online account, pay the $150 study permit application fee and the $85 biometrics registration fee (for those who have not yet registered), totaling $235, and submit your visa application online.
04Biometric (fingerprint) registration
Within a few days of completing the application process, you will receive an information letter regarding enrollment for biometric authentication. You must complete the registration within 30 days of receiving the document. If you are in Canada, register at a location designated by Service Canada; if you are in Japan, register at a Visa Application Centre (Tokyo or Osaka). For more information, please refer to this link: Visa Application Centre
05Receive an Acceptance Letter
Your visa application will be reviewed, and an Acceptance Letter will be issued by IRCC.
06Enter Canada
Enter Canada within the time limit of the approval letter. *Study and work permit holders applying from within Canada are exempt from this process.
07Obtain a study permit
An official study permit will be issued at the airport immigration upon entry into Canada. *If you are a study or work permit holder applying from within Canada, your study permit will be mailed directly to your address in Canada.
Obligations and precautions for study permit holders
Study Permit Maintenance Requirements
Study permit holders must remain enrolled in school and must make satisfactory progress toward completion of their program on time. Failure to do so may result in deportation.
Reporting to Schools and IRCC
Schools are required to report their enrollment and grades to IRCC. Students may also be required by the visa officer to provide proof of enrollment and grades. If you wish to continue your stay in Canada after leaving school, you must change your status to visitor status within 90 days of your last day of school.
Change of School or Program
If the school or program changes, the interval must be no more than 150 days.
Change to Visitor Status
If you wish to continue your stay in Canada after leaving school, you must apply for change of status to visitor status within 90 days of your last day at school.
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