Canada Study Permit Document Number: What It Is and Where to Find It

The document number on a Canadian study permit is the alphanumeric identifier printed on the permit itself, usually in the top right corner of the document. It is not the same as your application number, your unique client identifier (UCI), or the visa counterfoil number in your passport. If you are applying for a study permit, renewing one, or changing schools, the document number is what you will be asked to provide when referring to an existing permit. The official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pages do not publish a separate definition of this field, so you should verify exactly where it appears by looking at the physical or electronic permit you received and by checking the instructions on the IRCC study permit page before you enter it in any form.

Where the document number appears on your study permit

When IRCC issues a study permit, the document you receive contains several identifiers. The document number is printed on the permit itself, not on the approval letter or on the visa sticker in your passport. On the standard study permit format, you will typically find it in the top right corner, near your name and date of birth. It is a combination of letters and numbers, and it is unique to that permit.

The document number is distinct from these other identifiers, which applicants often confuse:

Identifier	What it is	Where it appears
Document number	The alphanumeric code on the study permit itself	Top right of the permit
Application number	The number assigned to your application when you submitted it	Your IRCC account, correspondence letters
Unique Client Identifier (UCI)	Your permanent client number with IRCC, used across applications	Permits, visas, correspondence
Visa counterfoil number	The number on the visitor visa or temporary resident visa sticker in your passport	Passport sticker

If you are looking at a document and cannot tell which number is which, the safest approach is to compare the fields against the instructions on the IRCC study permit page and, if you are renewing, against the renewal application form you are completing. IRCC does not provide a standalone glossary on the study permit page, so the physical permit and the application instructions are your primary references.

What the study permit application itself requires

The application process for a study permit is set out on the IRCC “Study in Canada as an international student” page. That page directs you to the “Get a study permit” section, which explains who can apply, how to apply, and what to expect when you arrive in Canada. It also links to the designated learning institution (DLI) search tool, because you must be accepted by a DLI before you can apply.

The application form for a study permit is the IMM 1294 form, which is part of the application package. The IRCC page does not reproduce the form itself; it directs you to the application instructions. When you complete the form, you will be asked for your personal details, your intended study program, and your DLI. The document number is not something you enter on the initial application, because you do not yet have a permit. It becomes relevant when you are extending a permit, restoring status, or referring to an existing permit in a subsequent application.

Changing schools and the document number

A common situation where the document number matters is when you change schools. 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. That extension application will require you to identify your existing permit, and the document number is one of the fields used to do so.

The IRCC page states this rule plainly: “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 means the document number on your current permit is not transferable to a new school. You will be issued a new permit with a new document number if your extension application is approved.

Renewing or restoring your study permit

If your study permit is expiring, you can extend it or restore your status. The IRCC page has a dedicated section for this: “Extend your study permit or restore your status.” The renewal process requires you to apply before your current permit expires. If your permit has already expired, you may be able to restore your status, but the rules and timelines are different.

When you apply to extend, you will need to provide the details of your current permit. The document number is part of that. You should also keep your contact information up to date, as IRCC may send correspondence to the address on file. The IRCC page lists “Your study permit conditions” as a separate section, which tells you what conditions apply to your permit and reminds you to keep your contact information current.

Working while you study and after you graduate

The document number is not required for work eligibility, but it is part of the proof that you are authorised to study and, in some cases, to work. The IRCC page has a section on working while you study, which explains whether you can work, how much, and where — on campus, off campus, and in student work placements. Your study permit conditions will state whether you are allowed to work off campus and, if so, how many hours per week.

After you graduate, the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is a separate application. The PGWP page is linked from the study permit page under “After you graduate.” When you apply for a PGWP, you will again be asked for your study permit details, including the document number, to confirm that you held a valid permit while completing your studies.

What to verify on the official IRCC page

Because the IRCC study permit page does not contain a field-by-field description of the permit document, you should verify the following before you rely on any number:

• Check the physical or electronic study permit you received. The document number is printed on the permit, not on the approval letter.
• If you are applying to extend or restore, read the instructions on the “Extend your study permit or restore your status” section of the IRCC page.
• If you are changing schools, confirm the November 8, 2024 rule that requires a new study permit application.
• If you are applying for a PGWP, review the PGWP requirements on the IRCC page.
• If you are unsure which number is which, contact IRCC through the contact page or use the IRCC web form rather than guessing.

The official page to consult is the IRCC study permit page at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html. That page is the authoritative source for who can apply, how to apply, and what conditions apply to your permit. It also links to the DLI search tool, the PGWP page, and the change-of-school rules.

Next steps

If you are preparing a study permit application, start by confirming that your school is a designated learning institution. Then review the “Get a study permit” section on the IRCC page to confirm you meet the eligibility requirements. If you already hold a permit and need to renew, change schools, or apply for a PGWP, locate your document number on your current permit and keep it with your application records. Verify every field against the official instructions before submitting, and if you are uncertain about any identifier, check with IRCC directly through the contact channels listed on the Government of Canada contact page.