Most students need a study permit to study in Canada, but there are some exceptions.
That's simple. All you have to do is to just drop-in to our office anytime, meet our counselors and avail free guidance. You can then register with us, because we really want to clear all your queries before registering you.
You should have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada. You must provide substantial proofs featuring that you have enough money to pay for your:
a. Tuition fees
b. Living expenses for yourself and any family members accompanying you to Canada and
c.Return transportation for yourself and any family members who accompanies you to Canada.
You may have to provide a police certificate to prove that you do not have any criminal record and are a law-abiding citizen. You should not be a risk to the security of Canada.
You are to be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
You must satisfy an immigration officer about your leaving Canada after completing your studies.
You should apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from the educational institution. The time needed to process an application to study in Canada may be different at various Study Permit offices.
The application process should begin at least three months prior to the commencement of classes.
Minimum documents required to apply for a study permit include: a valid passport; an original letter of acceptance from the institution; as well as evidence of adequate funds to cover tuition and living costs for you and any dependents, including return transportation. Interviews are sometimes required for clarification of information you have provided in your application. In some cases, a medical examination or an interview may also be needed.
Once you submit a complete application it can take between four to six weeks to receive your permit. We recommend you apply at least three months in advance. Make sure all required documents are included.
If your application is not approved, the Study Permit office will send you a letter explaining why your application has been refused. An application might be refused for several reasons:
You can contact the Study Permit office that issued the refusal letter, for queries related to your refusal
The documents you need to enter Canada
The CBSA officer will ask to see your travel documents when you arrive in Canada. Make sure they are not packed in your luggage, and that you have them with you. This will help speed up your entry to Canada
You should be ready to show the following documents:
If your application is approved, you will receive the following:
To study in Quebec, you first need to get a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (certificate of acceptance) from the province of Quebec. Then you can apply for a study permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
You must pay a processing fee with your application. The fee will not be refunded, even if your application is refused
You will need a medical examination if:
Set up your appointments as far in advance as possible. You could provide the examining physician with a pre-paid courier envelope for submission to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Some students will not require a medical. It depends on your places of residence over the year immediately prior to your application.
No, Citizenship and Immigration Canada only accepts medical exam results from a Designated Medical Practitioners.
If you want to renew your study permit, you must apply before the permit expires. If your study permit has expired, you must leave Canada. In some cases, you may be able to apply for restoration of status. However, you are not allowed to study until your status has been restored.
If you leave Canada and want to return, you must have:
Foreign students can work in Canada during their studies, and after they graduate. In most cases, you will need to apply for one of the student-related work permits, which are required if you want to work in a co-op/internship placement, off campus, or after graduating from your studies (Post-Graduation Work Permit Program).
Your work permit will generally be valid for the same period as your study permit. It will allow you to work off campus until you complete your studies, as long as you still comply with the program requirements and with the conditions of both your work permit and study permit.
You will be able to work anywhere in Canada as long as you remain a full-time student with a satisfactory academic standing while classes are in session and you comply with the conditions of your work permit.
In some cases, there may be restrictions on the type of job you can hold. For example, you may be required to undergo a medical examination for some occupations, such as:
Once you receive your off-campus work permit, you can work up to 20 hours per week off campus while classes are in session. You can work full time during scheduled breaks, including summer or winter holidays and reading weeks.
To make any changes in your immigration status or to extend your stay in Canada, you must submit an application to change conditions or extend your stay in Canada.
You can check the list of participating institutions with our counsellors.
A work permit does not guarantee a job. It is the student's responsibility to look for work
International students are required by law to carry health insurance coverage. Though it is not possible to obtain an insurance policy from outside Canada, a plan should be secured within the first week of a student's arrival.
Each province administers its own public medical and health insurance plans, though some private and supplementary plans are also available. However, even if in instances where provincial coverage is available to international students at no cost, they must register with the health insurance authority in the province to ensure they are in fact covered. Your university/college should be able to advise you on this matter. Most major educational institutions have their own insurance plan for international students and will help you register and pay fees on arrival.
Most post-secondary institutions have an international student adviser assigned to assist international students and give them advice on housing, health insurance, financial issues and immigration concerns. Other services might include organizing orientation and special events, exchange opportunities and regular information sessions. Some institutions offer peer programs that match an international student with a Canadian student to help a newcomer with settling in on campus. Host family programs are also often available in which a Canadian family helps an international student integrate into Canadian life.
Yes international students are eligible for some scholarships. The majority of scholarships available are for masters or doctoral students.
No, unless your institution requires it. In fact, many institutions are not able to accept your fees until you arrive and register. However, you must show CIC officials that the funds are available and can be transferred to Canada. In exceptional circumstances, where there are local currency restrictions, which may hamper the timely transfer of funds, Study Permit officers might request that proof of an off-shore account in the student's name or full payment of the tuition fees in advance.
In general, students will receive a study permit for the full period of their studies, e.g. three or four years. However, an immigration officer has the authority to issue a permit for a one-year period only. To renew your permit, you must submit an application to the Case Processing Centre in Alberta, Canada PRIOR TO the expiry of your authorization. Forms are available at CIC Centers across Canada (and on the web.)
You do not need to apply for a new permit if you are moving from one university to another university regardless of change in level - unless your permit specifies the name of your institution. If you are changing from a college to a university or vice-versa, you will require a new study permit. If you are studying in Quebec you will need a new CAQ if you change levels or institutions.
The web site of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials, provides useful information and referrals for international students wishing to have their credentials assessed