Canada study permit: applying from the UK

If you are in the UK and want to study in Canada, you apply for a study permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You need an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI), proof you can support yourself and your family in Canada, and you must satisfy IRCC that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay. The process is the same whether you apply from the UK or from any other country, and you can start by answering a few questions on IRCC’s website to confirm that you actually need a study permit.

Who needs a study permit

Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. IRCC provides a short questionnaire that tells you whether you need one, so you should use that before you prepare an application. If you are a minor child who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, there are separate requirements, and IRCC has a dedicated page for that situation.

You do not need a study permit for every kind of study. Short courses, such as a language program that lasts less than six months, may not require one, but the rules depend on your circumstances. The IRCC questionnaire is the reliable way to check your own position.

Choosing a designated learning institution

Your study permit application is tied to the school that accepted you. You must be accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI) — a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. IRCC maintains a list of DLIs, and you should confirm that your school is on it before you apply.

If you want to change schools after you arrive, the rules have changed. As of November 8, 2024, you can no longer change schools on the same study permit. If you want to change schools, you need to get a new study permit by applying to extend your current one. This is a significant point for anyone planning to transfer between programs or institutions.

Applying for the study permit

IRCC’s “Get a study permit” page covers who can apply, how to apply, processing times and what to expect when you get to Canada. You should read that page in full before you submit anything. You will need to create or sign in to your study permit account, and you will need to upload supporting documents.

The application asks you to show that you have a place at a DLI, that you have enough money to pay your tuition and living costs, and that you have a valid passport. You may also need a letter of explanation and, depending on your country of residence, biometrics. IRCC does not publish a single fixed list of documents in the official guidance, so you must check the current application guide for the exact requirements.

English language requirements

IRCC does not set a single English test score for study permits in the official guidance. English requirements are set by the individual school or program, and they vary. Your DLI will tell you which test it accepts and what score it requires. If you are applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) later, the language requirements for that program are separate and are set out by IRCC at the time you apply.

Working while you study

Study permit holders may be able to work while studying, but the rules depend on where you work and how many hours. IRCC distinguishes between on-campus work, off-campus work and student work placements, and each has its own conditions. You should read the “Work while you study” page before you start any job, because working outside your permit conditions can put your status at risk.

After you graduate

After you finish your program, you may be able to stay and work in Canada on a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). IRCC has a dedicated page for the PGWP, and it also offers virtual sessions about pathways to permanent residence. If you are considering staying long-term, you should look at these pages early, because the work permit you get after graduation can affect your later immigration options.

If your application is refused

The official guidance does not give a refusal rate or a list of standard refusal reasons. What it does make clear is that a study permit is not guaranteed and that IRCC assesses each application on its own merits. If your application is refused, you should read the refusal letter carefully — it will state the reasons for the decision. You may be able to apply again with more evidence, or you may be able to request a review of the decision through the Federal Court, but neither option is automatic. The official guidance does not describe a formal appeal process for study permit refusals, so your next step depends on the specific reasons given.

What to do next

Before you apply, answer IRCC’s questions to confirm you need a study permit, find your school on the DLI list, and read the full “Get a study permit” guide. Check the processing times on that page, because they change and are not stated in the official guidance. If you are already in Canada and want to change schools, remember the November 8, 2024 rule: you need a new study permit, not a change on your existing one.

Verify everything on the official IRCC pages before you submit. The rules and forms can change, and the official guidance was retrieved in September 2026.