Program delivery update: Validity periods and acceptance letters for study permits

April 16, 2019

The study permit instructions have been updated to reflect changes to the suggested validity period of study permits for prerequisite programs and to clarify instructions on conditional letters of acceptance. These updates include the following:

• The “Overseas” section has been updated.
• Clarification has been made to communicate that electronic travel authorization (eTA) expansion applicants must have held a temporary resident visa (TRV) or must hold a United States (U.S.) nonimmigrant visa with their initial study permit.
• When the completion of a prerequisite course or program, such as but not limited to an English as a second language (ESL) or French as a second language (FSL) course or program, is a condition for enrolment in a subsequent main program of study, officers now issue a study permit or SX-1 visa (if the duration of the program is less than 6 months) for the length of the prerequisite course or program plus 1 year.
• Clarification has been made to communicate that, while a study permit is not required for short-term courses, an officer must accept and process an application for a study permit, even when the duration of the course or program of study is 6 months or less.
• A “Conditions and user remarks” section has been added.
• When successful completion of a prerequisite course or program is required before admission to a program of study, the designated learning institution (DLI) may issue a conditional letter of acceptance to a foreign national. This letter should be submitted when the applicant applies to enter Canada as a temporary resident.
• Clarification has been made to communicate that foreign nationals who have been issued a study permit for a prerequisite are not eligible to work off campus in Canada until they complete their prerequisite and start their main program of study.
• The section on validity periods has been updated to clarify that officers must continue to enter on the study permit the expiry date of the program of study or of the applicant’s passport, whichever occurs first.
• Information on medical conditions has been added.

Updated instructions

• Study permits: Final decisions
• Study permits: Who needs a study permit
• Study permits: Letters of acceptance