How to Apply for a Study Permit

Steps on How to Apply for a Study Permit in Canada

There are many individuals from all over the globe that would love the opportunity to travel to Canada to study and experience the Canadian way of life. However, many of these individuals do not realize the requirements needed in order to study in Canada. First and foremost, you must obtain a study permit in order to study in Canada for over 6 months. In order to better prepare yourself for what to expect when applying for a study permit, in this article I will explain in detail the eligibility requirements for a study permit and how to apply for a study permit in order to study in Canada.

What is a Study Permit

As per the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) definition, a study permit is an official document issued by CIC that authorizes foreign national students to study at a recognized educational institution in Canada for the duration of the intended program of study. Furthermore, it indicates the conditions for each student including whether their travel in Canada is restricted and/or when they must leave Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for a Study Permit

There are some necessary steps a foreign national has to make before applying for a study permit in Canada. Yet, there are some foreign nationals that do not require a study permit at all. Therefore, it is best to determine whether or not you require a study permit. For instance, if you fall under any of the following categories below then you will not require a study permit.

You do not need a study permit to study in Canada, if you:

• Plan on studying in a short-term course or program of less than six months
• Are a foreign representative to Canada accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
• Are a member of a Foreign Armed Forces
• Are a Foreign national who is a Registered Indian in Canada

If you are unsure if your educational institution is a recognized educational institution, it is best to determine this before applying for the study permit. You may go on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website and search for the designated learning institution list. This list will formulate based on the province that you intend on studying within. Please note that if your educational institution does not fall under the recognized list, unfortunately it would not be recognized in the eyes of Immigration and you would not be eligible to apply for a study permit. Conclusively, it is essential that you receive a letter of acceptance from a recognized educational institution on that list before applying for a study permit.

How to Apply for a Study Permit

If you have come to the conclusion that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, then you are well on your way to applying for a study permit. When you are applying for a study permit in Canada, you may either apply online or by paper. Keep in mind, if you would prefer to apply by paper, you must submit your completed application to the nearest visa processing office outside of Canada. However, if you would prefer to apply online, this is the easier process to choose.

The moment you receive your letter of acceptance from a recognized educational institution, it is best to apply for the study permit right away as study permit application processing times do vary and you do not want your studies to be delayed because of the processing times. This is particularly the case during the summer months for the fall registration.

If you would like to determine what the processing times are for your specific country, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website to determine your country’s specific processing times for study permits.

Study Permit Approved

The moment you receive your approved study permit, you will receive the following:

• A letter from Canadian Immigration confirming the study permit approval. - This letter is not the study permit. You must present this letter to the Immigration officer when you arrive in Canada and then the Immigration officer will proceed to give you the actual study permit document.
• A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) if you are from a non-visa-exempt country, OR - This will be within your passport and you must ensure you exit Canada before the expiry date on this visa. - Please note you do not have to apply for this separately; this will be issued along with the letter of confirmation.
• An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you are from a visa-exempt country - This will be indicated and issued along with the letter of confirmation. - The eTA will be linked with your passport.

Once you have received the letter from Canadian Immigration confirming the study permit approval and you have successfully entered Canada and received your study permit, you should recognize and understand the terms and conditions of the study permit. For instance, the terms and conditions will indicate:

• That you must remain enrolled at a designated learning institution
• The educational level you are permitted to study at
• That you must continue the progression toward completing your program
• Whether you are allowed to work in Canada
• Whether you need to undergo a medical examination
• If your travel within Canada is restricted, and
• When you must leave Canada

Contact Akrami & Associates

If you would like to study in Canada and you feel as though you’d be eligible for a Study Permit, it is important to take all of the aforementioned information into consideration before applying. Study Permit applications are difficult to pursue on your own, especially if you are unfamiliar; it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to apply. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients enter Canada as Students and now they are studying and living in Canada. If you believe that you may be eligible to apply for a Study Permit, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advise.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!