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How to apply

Applying for a study permit after entering Canada

If you’re applying for a study permit after entering Canada, you may need a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter.

Updates to financial requirements

We’ve updated our financial requirements for new study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024.

If you’re applying for a study permit extension, the new financial requirements apply to you. However, we will assess whether you have enough money to continue to support yourself while you study in Canada.

Apply online to extend your study permit

A study permit is not a visa

Find out what you need to re-enter Canada if you leave.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need

Post-secondary students

Your DLI will send you one of the following, depending on whether you’re a new or current student:

  • a letter of acceptance (LOA)
  • a letter of enrolment

When you apply for your study permit extension, you’ll need to upload the letter you get from your DLI in the LOA-specific space on your online application.

If your DLI doesn’t verify your letter by the deadline

We’ll return your application and refund your processing fee. Before you resubmit your application, contact your DLI to confirm that they’ll validate your LOA or letter of enrolment within the time frame.

To apply, you’ll need

  • a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
  • a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide explains how to complete each field on the form.

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application.

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

  1. Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
  2. Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Step 3: Prepare your answers for the online tool

Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.

Step 4: Know the fees you have to pay

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.

Step 5: Create your online account or sign in

Choose the right account

Use the IRCC secure account when you apply to extend your study permit.

Even if you applied for your initial study permit using another account, you must use the secure account when you apply to extend your study permit.

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to

  • pay your fees
  • submit your application
  • check your status
Create an account or sign in

How applying online helps you

  • There are no courier fees and no mail delivery time—we get your application instantly.
  • Your application may be processed more quickly.
  • It helps you make sure your application is complete before you submit it.
  • You can quickly submit more documents online (if we ask you to).
  • You get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.

Alternate application format

You must apply online to extend your study permit. However, you may be eligible for an exemption that allows you to apply on paper.

Find out if you’re eligible to apply on paper

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:

  • Visa®
  • MasterCard®
  • American Express®
  • JCB®
  • UnionPay® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards.

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use doesn't have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

It must:

  • be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC® Online, and
  • be registered for online banking through your bank’s website.

We also accept all Debit MasterCard® and Visa® Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

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