2. We process your study permit application
We’ll check your application to make sure you have all the necessary documents. If it’s incomplete, we may return your application without processing it or request the missing documents.
We may also ask you to
- go to an interview with our officials in your country or
- send us more information
You may also need to get a
If you want to defer your enrolment while we process your application
If you want to defer your enrolment (which means you want to start studying later than planned) at the designated learning institution (DLI) that has already issued your letter of acceptance (LOA), you need to
- get your deferral approved by the DLI
- get an updated LOA
You must then submit your updated LOA to us through your online account or our web form.
Missing documents
If you weren’t able to submit all the required documents with your application, you can submit the missing documents through your online account or our web form.
We won’t process your study permit until you’ve submitted a complete application. Waiting to submit documents will cause delays in processing.
Updating your application
If you move or change your address, telephone number or any other contact information after you apply, you must update your application.
3. If we approve your application
You’ll get your study permit
- at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada or
- mailed to you, if you’re already in Canada
If you applied for your study permit from outside Canada
We’ll send you a port of entry letter of introduction that says you’re allowed to study in Canada. This letter is not your study permit.
You need to bring this letter with you and show it to a border services officer when you arrive in Canada. We’ll also send you an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) to enter Canada, if you need one.
If you’re from a country where you need an eTA, the letter of introduction will include information about your eTA. Your eTA will be linked to your passport and is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It’s important that you travel with the passport you used when you applied for your study permit.
If you’re from a country where you need a visitor visa, the visa will be in your passport. It’ll show if you can enter Canada once or multiple times. You must enter Canada before your visa expires.
If you’re a lawful permanent resident of the United States, travel with a valid green card (or equivalent official proof of status in the US) and a valid passport from your country of nationality (or an equivalent document).
If you applied for your study permit from within Canada
If you were eligible to apply from within Canada, you filled out a form called “Application to change conditions, extend my stay or remain in Canada as a student” (IMM 5709).
In this case, we’ll mail the study permit to the Canadian address you gave us.
If your mailing address changes before we send you our decision, you must give us your new address.
Studying while you wait for your study permit to arrive
We’ll send you a letter of approval in your online account to let you know your study permit has been approved. You can start studying as soon as you get this letter. You don’t have to wait until you get your study permit in the mail to start studying.
If we refuse your application
We’ll send you a letter explaining why.
We may refuse your application if you don’t
- have a valid letter of acceptance
- show proof that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in Canada
- pass your medical exam, if you needed to get one
- convince the visa officer that your main purpose in Canada is to study or
- convince the visa officer that you’ll leave Canada at the end of your study period
If you have questions about why you were refused, contact the visa office that sent you the refusal letter.
