Program delivery update: Study permits: Making an application

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

April 11, 2019

The study permit application instructions have been updated to provide clarification. The updates are as follows:

  • The “Where applicants apply” section has been updated to remove the reference to mailing a study permit application to an IRCC office abroad and to include information regarding
    • electronic travel authorizations (eTAs)
    • temporary resident visas (TRVs)
    • fees
  • The “Applying from overseas” section has been updated to
    • clarify study permit lengths for students participating in prerequisite English as a second language (ESL) or French as a second language (FSL) programs
    • provide information on assessing bona fides and available funds
    • provide information on accepting applications for study permits, even when the duration of the program of study is 6 monthsor less
  • A section explaining TRV eligibility and length for TRV-required foreign nationals has been added.
  • Clarification has been made regarding applicants who have made an application for a study permit that has been approved abroad but who did not obtain their study permit at a port of entry (POE) on arrival.
  • Specific roles for verifying an applicant’s status and eligibility have been clarified for the
    • Call Centre
    • Operational Support Centre (OSC)
    • IRCC office abroad
    • Case Processing Centre in Edmonton (CPC-E)
  • The “Visitors in Canada” section has been updated to provide clarification on where an application is to be submitted and which documents to submit when a foreign national within Canada is
    • studying at the preschool, primary or secondary level
    • visiting or on exchange at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada
  • Clarification has been made regarding where exchange students are eligible to work.
  • Clarification has been made regarding when foreign nationals on a visitor visa who apply for a study permit from within Canada may begin and end their studies.
  • The “Prerequisite course or program of study in Canada before the main program of study” at a DLI section has been updated to clarify
    • the documents and information that visitors in Canada who wish to study must provide
    • who is not eligible to apply from within Canada
    • where students taking a prerequisite program may work
  • The instructions for transitioning from primary to secondary or from secondary to post-secondary studies have been updated to indicate these students no longer require a new study permit, provided their current study permit is still valid.
  • A new section has been added to address dual-credit programs.

Updated instructions

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