Study Permit
Is it your dream to study and live in Canada?
In most cases, you must apply for a study permit before coming to Canada.
How do I apply for a study permit?
In most cases, you must apply for a study permit before coming to Canada. Make sure you have a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution in Canada before you apply.
Can a minor child go to school in Canada without a study permit?
Generally, minor children need to apply for a study permit from outside of Canada, if they want to go to study in Canada. However, a minor child can go to school without a study permit if:
- one parent (biological or adoptive) is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; or
- one parent (biological or adoptive) is permitted to study or work in Canada; or
- neither parent is physically in Canada.
I want to study in Canada for less than 6 months. Do I need a study permit?
No, you don’t need a study permit if your course or study program lasts less than 6 months. You must complete your course or program within the time you’re allowed to stay in Canada.
Even if you don’t need a study permit, you may want to apply for one. If you want to work while you’re studying, or you decide to study longer in Canada, you’ll need a study permit. You must be studying at a designated learning institution to get a study permit.
If your main reason for coming to Canada is to study for more than 6 months, you must apply for a study permit.
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As a foreign student, can I return home or travel outside Canada while studying?
Yes. However, your study permit is not a travel document. It doesn’t give you the right to travel to or enter Canada. Along with your permit, you may need:
- a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or
- an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Depending on where you’re from, you may only need your passport. Make sure you know which document you need to travel to and enter Canada.
Having the travel document you need also doesn’t guarantee you’ll be allowed back into Canada. You still must show the border services officer that you meet all the requirements before we’ll let you re-enter.
What is a post-graduation work permit?
The post-graduation work permit allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Work obtained through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program may help support your application to become a permanent resident of Canada.
How long is a post-graduation work permit valid?
A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) may be valid anywhere between eight months and up to three years. The length of your permit will depend on the length of the study program you completed in Canada. The permit won’t be longer than the length of your study program.
Can I work anywhere, in any type of job, under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program?
The post-graduation work permit is an open work permit. This means that you can work in any occupation anywhere in Canada, and change employers any time you wish.