Study Permit Inside Canada
A Canadian Study Permit is required to study in Canada for international students who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada. It allows students to study at designated learning institutions such as universities and colleges.
If you plan on studying in Canada, you will need a valid Canadian Study Permit.
It is important to be aware that if you are in Canada on a Canadian Study Permit, but your studies do not go well, it can result in serious immigration consequences for you.
How long does it take to get a study permit inside Canada?
The time to receive your Canadian Study Permit depends on:
- The circumstances of the case.
- How busy visa offices are
- Where the application is submitted, and the submission type.
The application itself can take anywhere between 2 weeks and 12 weeks.
An official letter will be sent with your decision. If there is no change in procedure, this normally takes six weeks. If more information is needed, it can take another six weeks.
Study Permit Application Process
The steps for application will include:
1. Check Your Eligibility
The first thing you need to do is check whether you’re eligible for a Canadian Study Permit or not. You must also have been accepted by an educational institution in Canada (DLI) to meet the requirements. In addition, regardless of how old you are, you must attend school full-time and abide by any conditions listed on your study permit.
2. Prepare Your Application
To apply for a study permit, you must submit the following forms and documents:
- Visa Office receipt for completed forms.
- Acceptance letter from education institute(s) previously attended.
- Proof of funds (money in a bank account that is legally obtained or inherited).
- Identification Material: a passport or another government-issued photo ID.
- You may also be asked for proof of the educational institution’s address.
- In addition, you will need a letter of acceptance from the institution you plan to attend.
3. Submit The Study Permit Application
When submitting your application, make sure that you submit all forms and documents required.
When you get the email confirmation about the submission of your application, then congratulations! You can now fly to Canada to pursue your studies.
Eligibility Criteria | Who Can Apply for a study permit?
When you study in Canada, certain conditions and terms apply. You should respect these and keep the benefits of your experience.
- Enrollment at any designated learning institution (DLI).
- Enrollment as a part-time or a full-time student in the case of Quebec.
- No authorized leaves of more than 150 days from your study program.
You need to understand the rules of your study permit. If you do, you will have a better experience in Canada. You can get a post-graduate work permit if you respect the terms of your study permit.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
Extend Your Study Permit
When To Extend Your Study Permit
The expiry date on your study permit tells you when you have to stop studying and leave Canada. You can find the expiry date in the top right corner of your permit. This date is usually the length of your study program, plus 90 days. The extra 90 days give you time to prepare to leave Canada or to extend your status as a visitor in Canada.
How to Extend Your Study Permit in Canada
There are three cases that give you permission to extend your study permit inside Canada
Case1 to extend your study permit in Canada
If you want to keep studying inside Canada, you need to extend your study permit. You should apply to extend your permit at least 30 days before it expires. Make sure your passport doesn’t expire at the same time. You can’t extend your study permit beyond your passport’s expiry date.
If you apply before your permit expires, you can stay in Canada under the same conditions as your current study permit until you get a decision.
You should apply to extend your study permit if you plan to travel outside Canada and your permit will expire while you are traveling.
If your study permit expires, and you haven’t applied for an extension, you must leave Canada.
Case 2 to extend your study permit in Canada
If you will finish your studies earlier than you expected
Your permit will expire 90 days after the day you complete your studies, no matter what the expiry date on the permit is. The 90 days begin:
- On the date, you get the first notification from your school (such as an Email, Letter, Transcript, etc.) That you completed your program or
- When you get your degree, diploma, or certificate.
If you can’t prove the date you were first notified by your school, we will use the earliest issue date on the document. We may need to confirm this date with your school.
If you want to keep studying, you must apply to extend your study permit at least 30 days before your permit expires.
Case 3 to extend your study permit in Canada
If you will finish your studies later than you expected
You must apply to extend your study permit at least 30 days before the original expiry date.
What to Do if your Study Permit inside Canada Expired
You have lost your status if you are still in Canada and:
- The expiry date of your permit passed before you applied for
- A new study permit.
- A work permit, or
- To stay in Canada as a visitor.
- You didn’t respect the conditions of your permit.
In some cases, you may apply to restore your status as a student. To apply, you must:
- Submit your application within 90 days of losing your status.
- Keep meeting the requirements for your stay.
- Have met all the conditions listed on your permit, and
- Pay your fees.
- Restoration ($200) and
- Study permit ($150).
