Apply for a study permit as a graduate student
If you’re planning to enroll in a master’s or doctoral degree program at a Canadian school, follow these steps to apply for a study permit and pursue your studies in Canada.
Faster processing for doctoral students
If you’re a doctoral student, you and your family may be able to get faster processing on your applications.
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1
Choose the right school and program
Explore graduate programs and search the list of designated learning institutions (DLIs) to find the right program and school to pursue your studies. You can also search for potential scholarship opportunities.
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2
Apply to a school and get your letter of acceptance (LOA)
To apply for a study permit, you must first apply to, and get accepted by a DLI. If the school accepts you as a student, they will send you a letter of acceptance (LOA). You need this letter to apply for a study permit.
Every school has different rules for how to apply. Contact the school where you want to study to learn how to apply. They will give you the list of all the documents you need to send them.
Make sure you apply for your graduate program early. You can’t apply for a study permit until you have your LOA.
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Get your documents ready
When you apply for a study permit, you usually need to include some documents. In some cases, you may not need all of them.
Starting January 1, 2026, if you’re planning to attend a public institution, you don’t need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) when applying for a study permit.
Find out what other documents you need before you submit your application.
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4
Prepare your family’s applications (if they’re applying to come with you)
Your family can apply for visitor visas, work permits or study permits. Submit their applications with yours and we’ll process them all together.
Eligible family members include your
- spouse or common-law partner
- dependant child (yours, your spouse’s or your common-law partner’s) or
- dependant child of a dependant child
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5
Apply for a study permit
Apply online
Use the IRCC secure account to apply for your study permit (and any family applications).
Faster processing for doctoral students
We’re processing applications for doctoral students (and their family members) in 2 weeks.
Get answers to your questions
Can I work while I study in Canada?
You may be eligible to work in Canada while studying if
- your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus, and
- you meet all other requirements for your work situation
- for example, working on or off campus
You can only start working in Canada when you start your study program. You can’t work before your studies begin.
Working on or off campus
As a study permit holder, you may be able to work off or on campus without needing a work permit. Make sure you meet the requirements before you find a job.
Working as a co-op student or intern
You will need to get a work permit if your study program includes a required co-op or internship placement.
Can I travel outside Canada with a study permit?
Yes. However, your study permit is not a travel document. It doesn’t give you the right to travel to or enter Canada. Along with your permit, you may need
Depending on where you’re from, you may only need your passport.
Make sure you know which document you need to travel to and enter Canada.
What else do I need to be allowed back into Canada?
Even if you have the travel document you need , there is no guarantee you’ll be allowed back into Canada. You still must show the border services officer that you meet all the requirements before we’ll let you re-enter.
If you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, make sure the one you have will still be valid when you return to Canada. If it won’t be valid, you must apply to extend it before you leave Canada.
Learn more about travelling outside Canada and then re-entering.
Can I change schools after coming to Canada?
In most cases, you can change schools after coming to Canada.
To change schools, you must be
- enrolled at a DLI and
- actively studying at that DLI
Find out how to change schools.
If you’re in a co-op program
If you’re changing to a co-op program at a different school, you must apply for a new co-op work permit.
Can I extend or replace my study permit?
Yes, you can apply to extend your study permit if you want to keep studying in Canada.
We recommend you apply more than 30 days before it expires.
If you plan to change schools
You need to apply for a new study permit and follow the instructions for changing schools as a post-secondary student.
If your study permit has already expired
If you applied to extend your study permit before it expired, but haven’t received a decision on your application, you’re allowed to stay in Canada because you’ve maintained your status. This means you’re a temporary resident until we decide on your application. In some cases, you can keep studying until you get a decision on your application.
Learn more about staying in Canada while waiting for a decision on your new study permit application.
If you haven’t applied to extend your study permit
If you haven’t applied to extend your study permit, you’ve lost your status in Canada. You must stop studying until we’ve restored your status and issued you a new study permit.
You have 90 days after your study permit expires to apply to restore your status and extend your permit.
There’s a CAN$200 fee to restore your status, as well as a CAN$150 fee for the new study permit.
Learn more about extending your study permit or restoring your status.
If your study permit is lost, stolen or destroyed
You must fill out an application and pay a fee to replace the permit.
Can I stay in Canada after I graduate?
Your study permit will state how long you can stay in Canada.
If you want to extend your stay in Canada temporarily after you graduate you must apply to become a visitor by applying for a visitor record.
How to apply for a visitor record
Can I work in Canada after I graduate?
You may be able to stay in Canada and apply for a work permit after you graduate.
Answer some questions to find out what type of work permit you need to work in Canada after you graduate.
You may also be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). A PGWP allows students who have graduated from a participating DLI to work in Canada after graduation and gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Work experience obtained through the PGWP may help support your application to become a permanent resident of Canada.
Learn more about applying for a PGWP.
Can I apply to become a permanent resident?
There are several permanent resident categories that you may fit into, including the Canadian experience class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Provincial Nominee Program.
Can I stay in Canada while I wait for permanent residence?
You can stay in Canada while you wait for permanent residence as long as you maintain your legal status. Temporary resident status is valid for a specific period of time and you must make sure your status as a temporary resident remains valid while you’re in Canada.