How to Apply for a Study Permit in Canada

You might need a study permit to study at a Canadian educational institution.

If you aren't a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you might need a study permit to study in Canada. A study permit isn't necessary for course that lasts six months or less. If you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada, or a member of foreign armed forces, you also do not need a study permit.

Instructions

1. Apply to a Canadian school, college, university or educational institution. You need to have been accepted before you can apply for a study permit.

2. Obtain the forms you need to apply for a study permit, as well as the instructional guide to help you fill them out. You can download these documents from the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or you can request them from a Canadian visa office in your country. In the U.S., the offices are located in Buffalo, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

3. Collect the documents you need for the application, including the forms you've completed. You would also need a passport, photos that meet the specifications set by the CIC, proof of acceptance at an educational institution and proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself.

4. Pay the processing fee of CA$125 as of June 2010. If you are paying at your local visa office, you might be able to pay using local currency.

5. Check that all your documents are complete and send them to the Canadian visa office in your country or region. If you are from the U.S., you can submit the application at the point of entry when you arrive in Canada.

6. Provide additional medical and security information, if requested by the CIC.

Tips & Warnings

• If you intend to study in Quebec, there are special provincial guidelines and an additional document called a certificate of acceptance that you need to obtain before applying for a study permit.

References

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Study Permits--Who Can Apply
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Study Permits--How to Apply
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Visa Offices Outside Canada
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Application to Study in Canada
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Fee Schedule for Citizenship and Immigration Services