Canada Study Permit: Requirements and Application Process

To study in Canada as an international student, you need a study permit unless you qualify for an exemption. The application is made online through your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account, and you must first be accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI). The process covers proof of acceptance, proof of financial support, and a check of your immigration status, but the exact requirements and processing times are set out on the official IRCC pages and must be verified there before you apply.

Who needs a study permit

A study permit is the document that allows a foreign national to study at a designated learning institution in Canada. The starting point is to determine whether you need one at all. IRCC provides a questionnaire that asks a few questions to tell you whether you need a study permit to study in Canada.

Most international students will need one. However, there are specific exemptions, and the questionnaire is the reliable way to confirm your situation rather than assuming based on your country of origin or the length of your course. If you are a minor child who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, separate rules apply, and you should consult the dedicated guidance for minors.

Choosing a designated learning institution

Your study permit is tied to a specific school. Before you apply for the permit, you must be accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI). IRCC maintains a list of DLIs, and you should use that list to confirm that the school you intend to attend is designated. Studying at a school that is not a DLI will not support a study permit application.

The kind of school you choose matters for the application. IRCC explains the different kinds of schools, when to apply, and other requirements. If you are planning to study as a graduate student, there is a dedicated page for master’s and doctoral studies, including information about applying to come to Canada with your family and faster processing for doctoral students.

Applying for a study permit

The application is made online through your IRCC secure account. The official page sets out who can apply, how to apply, processing times, and what to expect when you arrive in Canada. You should read that page in full before starting, because it is the authoritative source for the current application steps and for the documents you must upload.

IRCC does not publish a single fixed checklist in the official guidance provided. The practical implication is that you must check the official study permit page for the current list of required documents, including proof of acceptance, proof of identity, and proof of financial support. The page also explains what happens after you apply and what to expect at the port of entry.

Study permit conditions and changing schools

Your study permit comes with conditions. IRCC requires you to keep your contact information up to date and to understand what you are and are not allowed to do while in Canada. A significant rule change took effect on November 8, 2024: you can no longer change schools on the same study permit. If you want to change schools, you must apply to extend your current study permit and obtain a new one. This is a critical point for anyone considering a transfer.

Working while you study

Many students want to work during their studies. IRCC provides guidance on whether you can work while studying, how much you can work, and where — on campus, off campus, and in student work placements. The rules depend on your study permit conditions and the type of work, so you should review the dedicated work-while-you-study page before taking any employment.

If you travel outside Canada while studying, you may need a visitor visa to return. IRCC explains how and when a study permit holder should apply for a visitor visa, and what you need to re-enter Canada as an international student. This is separate from the study permit itself.

After you graduate

After completing your studies, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), which allows you to stay and work in Canada. IRCC also offers virtual sessions about pathways to permanent residence, and an online tool that answers a few questions to show different ways you might be able to come to Canada. These are separate applications from the study permit, and each has its own requirements.

What to verify before you apply

The single most important step is to confirm the current requirements on the official IRCC pages before you submit. Processing times, document requirements, and eligibility rules can change, and the official guidance does not provide specific numbers for fees, processing times, or language test scores. You must check the following on Canada.ca:

• Whether you need a study permit, using the IRCC questionnaire.
• That your school is a designated learning institution on the official DLI list.
• The current application steps and required documents on the “Get a study permit” page.
• The rules for working while studying and for changing schools, which changed on November 8, 2024.

Do not rely on third-party summaries for these details. The official pages are the only reliable source for the current state of the rules.

What you need to check	Where to check it
Whether you need a study permit	IRCC questionnaire on the study in Canada page
Whether your school is a DLI	Official DLI list
Current application steps and documents	“Get a study permit” page
Work rules while studying	“Work while you study” page
Changing schools	“Changing schools” page
Post-graduation work permit	PGWP page

Next steps

Start by answering the IRCC questionnaire to confirm you need a study permit. Then confirm your school is a DLI, and read the full “Get a study permit” page to identify the documents you need. If you are already in Canada and want to change schools, remember that you must apply for a new study permit by extending your current one. Finally, verify every detail on the official IRCC pages, because the official guidance does not provide fees, processing times, or language test requirements, and those figures must be confirmed directly with IRCC before you apply.