Canada Study Permit Explained

What a study permit is

A study permit is the official document that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues to a foreign national so they can study in Canada. Most international students who want to take a program longer than a short course need one.

This page is general information, not immigration advice. Study-permit rules are set by the Government of Canada and change from time to time, so always verify the current requirements on the official Government of Canada source before you act.

Who needs a study permit

In general, you need a study permit to enrol in a program of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. A DLI is a school that a provincial or territorial government has approved to host international students.

There are some exceptions — for example, very short programs may not require a permit, and minor children already in Canada in certain situations may study without one. Because these exceptions are specific and can change, confirm whether your situation needs a permit on the official Government of Canada source.

• You plan to study at a DLI in a program above the short-course threshold
• Confirm your DLI is on the official Designated Learning Institutions list
• Check the official exceptions list to see whether a permit is required for your case

Study permit vs visa: how they differ

A study permit and a visa are two different things, and many applicants are issued both. A study permit is what allows you to study in Canada once you arrive. It is not, by itself, a travel document.

To travel to Canada, you usually also need either a temporary resident visa (TRV, a visitor visa) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), depending on your nationality. When your study permit application is approved, IRCC will normally also issue the travel document you need. Always check which travel document applies to you on the official Government of Canada source.

What the permit lets you do

A study permit authorises you to study at the DLI and program named in your application. It typically comes with conditions printed on the permit — for example, conditions on your studies and, in some cases, limited authorisation to work while you study.

Work rules for study-permit holders are set by IRCC and have been adjusted in the past, including limits on hours worked off campus during the academic term. Because these conditions can change, read the conditions on your own permit and verify the current work rules on the official Government of Canada source rather than relying on older information.

Keeping your permit valid

A study permit is tied to conditions you must keep meeting — for example, remaining enrolled and making progress at a DLI. If you stop meeting the conditions, your status can be affected.

The permit also has an expiry date, and you must apply to extend or change it before it expires if you continue studying. The exact obligations, reporting requirements, and extension process are defined by IRCC, so review them on the official Government of Canada source. This is general information only, not immigration advice.