Home Visas and Immigration IMPORTANT INFORMATION Study Permit Information

Study Permit Information

Persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents who wish to study in Canada must obtain a Study Permit before beginning their studies.

Students who intend to study for a period less than six months, may do so without a Study Permit, except for exchange students.

If your proposed study will be for longer than six months, and you are from a country or countries where you have lived prior to the application, you may have to undergo and pass a Medical Examination in order to be approved. Please click here for the Medical Examination Requirements

Citizens of countries who do not require a Temporary Resident Visa can apply for Study Permit at the Port of Entry. Please click here for the Lists for Visitor Visa Exemption and Countries & Territories Whose Citizens Require Visas to Enter Canada

Applications for Study Permit may be filed in person at the Consulate General. In general, applications for Study Permit will be processed within 24 hours if the application is submitted with all required documents and presents no particular complexity, unless medical examinations are required. Applications may also be filed by mail. The processing times for mail-in applications is 1 - 6 weeks, depending on complexity.

Successful applicants who do not require a Temporary Resident Visa will be sent a letter, which may be presented at a port of entry to Canada to obtain the Study Permit document. Successful applicants who require a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada, will be issued a visa with the letter.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

Your application for Study Permit MUST include the following:

• A completed application form; click here to download the form or use our Fax Back Service
• Processing fee: Click here for Fee Schedule

PLEASE NOTE that the Processing Fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.

• Two recent passport size photographs (no copies or scanned photos will be accepted
• Your passport (applicants from countries whose citizens require visitor visa for Canada must provide their valid original passports. Applicants from countries not on this list need only provide a photocopy. Applicants who are United States Citizens or Green Card holders do not require a passport. Please submit proof of citizenship or a copy of your green card.);
• An official acceptance letter from the educational institution in Canada;
• Proof of funds available to support you during the first year of your studies (In general, $10,000 CAD is required in addition to tuition fees for one year. Applicants who are financially supported by parents or sponsors MUST provide notarized Affidavit of Support from the sponsors and their proof of funds.);
• A transcripts from your last program of study; Document demonstrating that you intend to stay in Canada for a temporary period (please refer to Temporary Resident Visa information. 
• If you are a citizen of Kosovo, Rwanda, Yugoslavia (and its former republics other than Slovenia), and Iraq, you MUST complete and submit the proper questionnaire.
• If you intend to study in the Province of Québec, you must obtain and submit a Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec (CAQ). Please contact a Québec Immigration Service Office or check Québec's Immigration Website for more information.

NOTE: Documents in languages other than English or French MUST be accompanied by a certified translation.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

In some cases, you may need to submit the following documents:

• If you wish to submit your application by MAIL, you should include a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope (we suggest U.S. Postal ExpresséPriority). If you do not include a prepaid Express/Priority mail envelope, your documents will be returned by certified mail. Note that certified mail adds a minimum of seven (7) working days to the return mailing time.

Please note: We will not return your documents using ANY courier services (UPS, FedEx, DHL) even if you have an account with them.

If you are interested in studying in Canada, click here.