Study Permit

If you will be studying in Canada for more than six months, you will require a valid study permit for the duration of your studies in Canada. A study permit is a document that gives you permission to study and to remain in Canada on a temporary basis. Permission to enter Canada is not given by a study permit but by a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). You will need a TRV unless you are from a visa exempt country.

To be eligible to study in Canada:

  • You must have been accepted by a designated learning institution in Canada. (letter of acceptance is a mandatory requirement)
  • You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your:
    • tuition fees
    • living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
    • return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
  • 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.
  • You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
  • You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

You may include your family members on the study permit application, so that they may accompany you to Canada. An accompanying spouse may be able to obtain an open work permit, and minor children may be able to study at Canadian elementary and secondary schools. 

You might be able work on campus at the institution where you study without a work permit or you may qualify to work off campus without a work permit. Get in touch with Juthika Rajwade to find out if you qualify.

Post Graduate Work Permit

Most study permits expire 90 days after graduation, regardless of the date printed on the study permit itself. It is extremely important to update your status with IRCC within 90 days of graduation or risk losing status in Canada.

You may be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This permits the holder to work for any employer anywhere in Canada for up to three years after graduation. Work experience gained on a PGWP may help facilitate an application for Canadian Permanent Residency.

To obtain a work permit after your graduation, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must have continuously studied full time in Canada and you must have completed a program of study that lasted at least eight months.
  • In addition, you must have graduated from:
    • a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, trade/technical school, university or CEGEP (in Quebec), or
    • a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, or
    • a private secondary or post-secondary institution (in Quebec) offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP), or
    • a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees but only if you are enrolled in one of the programs of study leading to a degree as authorized by the province and not in all programs of study offered by the private institution.
  • You must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation (for example, a transcript or an official letter) from your institution indicating that you have met the requirements for completing your academic program.
  • You must have completed and passed the program of study and received a notification that you are eligible to obtain your degree, diploma or certificate.
  • You must have a valid study permit when you apply for the work permit.

A Post-Graduation Work Permit cannot be valid longer than the length of your studies in Canada.

For more information do not hesitate to contact Juthika Rajwade.