WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Am I a student?

  • Do I need a study permit:  Yes if your intention is to Study for a period of more than six months.  If you are planning to study for a period of six months of less you do not need a Study permit. However, if you are not sure of how long you would like to study in Canada APPLY for a study permit!
  • Student visa vs. Study permit: Not the same (see image 1)
    • Student visa refers to the document that authorizes you to enter Canada.  We will call this “entry visa”.  This document is required to board the plane, train or bus to Canada
    • If you are a national from a country that requires a visa to enter Canada, you would get a document that looks like this:
    • If you are a national from a country that does not require a visa to enter Canada, you will need an eTA (electronic travel authorization) to enter Canada.
    • Check this link to determine if you need an entry visa:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas-all.asp
  • Study permit is for all nationals (including those that do not need an entry visa. This is your STATUS document, and it looks like this:

2. Minimum requirements for a study permit:

  • Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution(“DLI”): unconditional or conditional  check this link to determine if your school is a DLI: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-institutions-list.asp
  • Sufficient funds
  • Study program makes sense
  • Temporary intention / ties to home country

3. Validity of my study permit:

  • The study permit is only valid if you pursue studies!  If you do not study, your status becomes invalid, regardless of the expiry date of your permit. A study permit is valid until the first of the following happens:
  • 90 days have passed after student has completed the program, or
  • Study permit expiry date

4. Can I work as student?

  • If you are studying a language course:  You cannot work
  • If you are studying part-time: You cannot work
  • If you are studying full time at the college or university level: you can work under three scenarios: (Language students excluded)
    • Full time student + enrolled in a DLI + program of at least 6 months + leads to a degree diploma or certificate
    • All conditions of scenario 1 + program has a practicum component essential to the completion of the program
    • Full time student + enrolled in a DLI + program of at least 8 months + leads to a degree diploma or certificate + has completed the program successfully

Once in Canada: change of status and study permit extensions:

  • The Status document and not the person’s activity is the one that defines immigration status in Canada (i.e. student for less than 6 months vs. student with a study permit)
  • If student holds a visitor status and wants to continue studying in Canada, MUST apply for study permit
  • If student holds a study permit and wants to continue studying in Canada, MUST apply for a study permit extension

 

Implied status:

  • For students that hold a study permit:  they can continue studying after their current permit expires, until they receive a decision, AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT EXIT Canada before a decision is rendered
  • For students that are changing status from visitor to student:
    • There is no implied status!  They cannot study until they receive authorization
    • They cannot remain in Canada if they do not extend their visitor visa