Obtaining a
student permit in Canada
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A study permit is the document that authorizes a foreign national to undertake a program lasting more than six months at a designated educational institution in Canada. It also sets out the conditions of your stay: the institution, the level of study and, where applicable, the right to work.
Before paying tuition fees or booking a ticket, it is worth finding out what documents your province requires, what you need to demonstrate financially, and how to submit a strong application first time round.
Immigration rules change regularly. The information presented here is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For a personalized assessment of your situation, please schedule a consultation.
Under what circumstances do you need a student visa?
It all depends on the duration and nature of your program. Studying in Canada generally requires a study permit, but certain short-term stays and specific circumstances are exempt from this requirement. These exceptions are more limited than they might appear.
It is important to note that a study permit is not an entry document. Depending on your nationality, you will still need a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization to travel to Canada.
Even when it is not a requirement, a student visa can be beneficial: subject to certain conditions, it allows you to extend your studies and opens up certain employment opportunities. A number of criteria may apply depending on your circumstances, and this is what we check during our first meeting.
What are the requirements for applying for a student visa?
An application for a study permit is based on three key requirements: admission to a recognized institution, authorization from Québec where applicable, and proof that your study plans are financially viable.
In Quebec, most pathways involve the Quebec Acceptance Certificate, issued by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration. Its purpose and the stage at which it is obtained vary depending on the program and the length of stay.
In addition, you will need to provide proof of identity, and in some cases a medical examination or a police certificate, as well as pay the government fees for the permit and biometric data, as published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
It is the overall consistency of the application that is decisive, far more so than any individual document taken on its own. A consultation enables us to assess your application in accordance with the current regulations.
What other steps are required whilst your application is being processed?
Submitting an application does not mean the application is complete. Depending on the case, IRCC may request biometric data, additional documents, a medical examination or a police certificate, in each instance within a specific timeframe set out in its correspondence.
If any supporting documents are required, these are usually processed at the same time as your licence application. The process of issuing the licence itself follows its own steps, which we will explain to you in due course.
If your studies are set to continue, you should prepare your application for an extension well before your permit expires. If submitted on time, this places your stay in a different position to that of a late application, where your options are more limited and the outcome becomes more uncertain. We will follow up and respond to IRCC on your behalf, including in relation to a letter of procedural fairness.
Support tailored to your circumstances
Legal representation by your side to guide you through your legal proceedings with confidence, clarity and peace of mind.
Analysis of your application
We assess your situation and your study plans in order to guide you through the appropriate procedures.
Thorough preparation of your application
We help you gather and submit the necessary documents for your study permit application.
Support at every stage
From preparing your application through to its processing, you’ll receive transparent and personalized support.
A professional approach
Our firm specializes exclusively in Canadian immigration law and supports you with your plans to study in Canada.
Our team
Alice Mardelet-Santamaria
Attorney and founder of the law firm
Chloe Yin
Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant (CRIC)
Our areas of practice
The questions our customers ask us most often.
Short-term programs can be undertaken without a student visa in certain circumstances. You will still need the relevant entry document for your nationality. The answer depends on the program you choose and your status.
For those wishing to study in Quebec, the Quebec Acceptance Certificate, issued by the MIFI, generally precedes the federal application to IRCC. The order of the procedures and any possible exemptions are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The right to work depends on the conditions stated on your student visa, the institution you are attending and the course you are studying. These conditions change regularly: a consultation will enable us to assess your case in accordance with the current rules.
The entry document – a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization – is issued together with the study permit once the application has been approved. No separate procedure is required in this case.
An application for an extension must be made before the permit expires. If the status is lost, there are remedies available, but these are subject to strict time limits. This is a situation that needs to be assessed promptly.
Immigration rules change regularly. The information presented here is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For a personalized assessment of your situation, please schedule a consultation.
Your future in Canada starts here.
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