More than 130,000 students come to study in Canada every year and even more come to Canada to learn English or French. Foreign students bring a rich culture to our classrooms. Your knowledge and skills are welcome in our schools.The provinces regulate education and schools in Canada. For more detailed information on living and studying in a specific province or territory, contact the school where you wish to study.
Studying in Canada: Study permits—Before you apply
Before you can apply for a study permit, you must have been accepted at a recognized school, university or college in Canada.
To be Eligible to study in Canada
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You must have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada.
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You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your:
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tuition fees
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living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
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return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
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You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
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You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
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You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when you have completed your studies.
Exceptions
In some cases, you do not require a study permit to go to school in Canada.
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If you wish to study in a short-term course or program
You do not need a study permit if you plan to take a course or program in Canada that lasts six months or less. You must complete the course or program within the period authorized for your stay in Canada.
Even if you do not need a study permit, it is a good idea to apply for a permit before you come to Canada. If you decide that you want to continue your studies in another program after you complete your short-term course or program, you must apply through a Canadian visa office outside Canada for a study permit if you do not already have one. -
Foreign representatives to Canada
If you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, you may not need a permit to study in Canada. You should contact your embassy in Canada. Your embassy can contact the Office of Protocol at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to find out whether you need a study permit. -
Members of foreign armed forces
If you are a member of a foreign armed force under the Visiting Forces Act, you do not need a permit to study in Canada. If your family members, including minor children, want to study in Canada, they must meet the requirements.
Studying in Canada: Study permits—Documents needed to apply for a study permit
You need the following documents to apply for a study permit:
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Proof of acceptance
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Proof of identity
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Proof of financial support
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Letter of explanation
In addition to these documents, you may have to provide other information when you
If you are not a citizen of the country where you submit your application, you may have to provide proof of your present immigration status in the country where you apply.
If the government that issued your passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit, you must obtain one before you apply for a Canadian visa. Other documents may also be required.
1. Proof of acceptance
If you plan to attend any school (primary or secondary), college, university or other educational institution in Canada, the school must complete and send you a letter of acceptance. You must include the original letter with your study permit application. You can find a standard letter of acceptance in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
2. Proof of identity
You must provide:
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A valid passport or travel document for you and each accompanying family member. The passport or travel document must allow you to return to the country that issued it. Citizens and permanent residents of the United States, St. Pierre and Miquelon, and Greenland do not need a passport, but do need proof of status and citizenship, such as a national identity card or an alien registration card.
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Two recent passport-size photos of you and each accompanying family member. The name and date of birth of the person should be written on the back of each photo. You can find information on photo specifications in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
3. Proof of financial support
You must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who accompany you while you are in Canada. You can prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself in Canada by showing some of the following:
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proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if money has been transferred to Canada;
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your bank statements for the past four months;
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a bank draft in convertible currency;
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proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees;
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a letter from the person or institution providing you with money; and
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proof of funding paid from within Canada if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program.
The following table shows the minimum amounts that you will need.
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All provinces except Quebec |
Quebec |
| Single student | Tuition plus $10,000 for a 12-month period (or $833 per month) | Tuition plus $9,600 for a 12-month period (or $800 per month) |
| + one family member | $4,000 for a 12-month period (or $333 per month) | 60% of student base (from above) or $5,740 for a 12-month period (or $478 per month) |
| + each additional family member | $3,000 for a 12-month period per dependent child of any age (or $255 per month) | 40% of student base (from above) or $3,840 for a 12-month period (or $320 per month) |
If there are foreign-exchange control measures in your country, you must provide proof that the exchange control authorities will allow you to export funds for all of your expenses.
4. Letter of explanation
In some cases, you may wish to apply for a study permit even if you do not need one right away. There are benefits to having a study permit, even if you do not require one. If you have a valid study permit, you can:
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work part time on campus at the college or university at which you are registered as a full-time student; and
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apply to renew your study permit from within Canada, if you decide to continue studying in Canada.
If you decide that you want to continue your studies in another program after you complete your short-term course or program, you must apply through a Canadian visa office outside Canada for a study permit if you do not already have one.
If you are applying for a study permit even though you do not need one, you should include a letter that explains why you are applying. The letter will inform the visa officer that you understand your options. For example, the letter might say:
“Dear Visa Officer,
I would like a study permit for my eight-week English course because I would like to apply to a Canadian-university program after I finish the English course.”
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