Study permit: How to apply
Get your documents ready
Before you apply for a study permit, you need:
- an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI)
- a valid passport or travel document
- proof you can support yourself, and any family members who come with you, while you’re in Canada
Find out which documents you need before you apply for a study permit.
You need to give your biometrics
In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply. Find out where biometrics fits in the application process.
If you’re already in Canada and need to leave the country to give biometrics
If you’re in Canada and you apply for an initial study or work permit, and you received a biometrics instruction letter from us, you may need to leave Canada to give biometrics.
Do NOT travel to the United States (U.S.) to give your biometrics. You must already be legally in the U.S. or an overseas territory of the U.S. to go to an Application Support Center.
Instead, go to a visa application centre (VAC) in any other country that you can legally enter, such as your home country, to give your biometrics.
Biometrics and the application process
We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.
1. Apply for your visitor visa, study permit or work permit
If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.
Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.
2. Get your fingerprints and photo taken
If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you probably need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years to make repeat trips to Canada easier.
- You must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays.
- Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give biometrics.
- You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.
Find out who needs to give, how to give, and where to give your biometrics.
3. We process your application
After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.
If we need more information from you, we’ll contact you.
4. We make a decision on your application
When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you’re approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.
If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.
5. You travel to Canada (if you’re approved)
Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes travel documents like a visitor visa, study or work permits or an eTA (electronically linked to your passport).
Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.
Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.
6. We check your identity when you arrive in Canada
When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.
If we can’t verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.
If the officer determines that you’re not admissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you’ll have to take a return flight to where you came from.
7. You’re allowed to enter Canada
If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.
Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.
How to apply
Generally, you must apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. Some people can apply for a study permit from within Canada. In some cases, you can apply when you arrive in Canada at the port of entry. Make sure you understand which option is available to you.
How applying online helps you
- No courier fees or mail delivery time – we get your application instantly.
- Your applications 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.
Get the instructions
Answer a few questions to get the next steps for your situation.
You need to enable Javascript to be able to use the tool.
Apply online from outside Canada
Get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream
Do you live in China, India, the Philippines or Vietnam? You might be able to get your study permit faster by using the Student Direct Stream.
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you’ll need:
- a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and
- a valid credit or debit card.
Step 2: Read the instruction guide
Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
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
- biometrics
We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
- medical exams
- police certificates
- language testing
- services at a Visa Application Centre, if you use one.
You won’t pay these fees in your online account. You’ll pay them directly to the third party.
Biometrics fee
In most cases, you should pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Step 5: Create your online account or sign in
If you need an eTA or visa
If you need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visa, we’ll issue it automatically at the same time as your study permit. You don’t need to apply separately or pay another fee.
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:
- pay your fees
- submit your application
- check your status
Apply on paper from outside Canada
Get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream
Do you live in China, India, the Philippines or Vietnam? You might be able to get your study permit faster by using the Student Direct Stream.
Step 1: Get the application package
The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need.
Read the guide carefully before you complete your application. We won’t refund your application fee, so make sure you’re eligible for a study permit before you apply.
Step 2: Complete your application and attach your documents
Make sure you include all the documents we ask for. Your application may be delayed if information or documents are missing. The document checklist in the application package lists all the documents to include.
Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
- medical exams
- police certificates
- language testing
- services at a Visa Application Centre, if you use one.
If you need to use any of these services, you’ll pay these fees directly to the third party.
Step 3: Pay your application fees
If you need an eTA or visa
If you need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visa, we’ll issue it automatically at the same time as your study permit. You don’t need to apply separately or pay another fee.
In most cases, your fees will include:
- processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application
- biometrics
You’ll need to pay your fees before you submit your application. Our instruction guide can help you understand which fees apply to you and show you how to pay them.
Biometrics fee
In most cases, you should pay a biometrics fee when you pay your application fees. If you don’t, you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Submit your application
Apply online from inside Canada
Applying online from inside Canada
In most cases you must apply online to get or extend a study permit from inside Canada. When you apply online, we get your application instantly, which can help us process your application faster. If you already applied on paper, you don’t have to resubmit your application online.
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you’ll need:
- a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and
- a valid credit or debit card.
Step 2: Read the instruction guide
Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
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
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:
- pay your fees
- submit your application
- check your status
If you can’t apply online
You can submit a paper application if either:
- you can’t apply online because of a disability
- there’s a problem with the online application
You need to apply as though you’re outside Canada
You can’t apply from inside Canada. Even though you’re physically in Canada, you need to follow the instructions for applying for a study permit from outside Canada. This may mean you’ll need to leave Canada for an interview or to complete other steps of your application.
Select “Outside Canada” to find out how you can apply for a study permit.
Apply at a port of entry
Before you come to Canada
- Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements to get a study permit
- Get a medical exam if you need one
- Bring all the documents you need to get a study permit with you
If you’re a lawful permanent resident of the United States, and you want to apply at an airport, you must get an Electronic Travel Authorization before you board your flight to Canada.
When you arrive at the port of entry
Tell the officer that you want a study permit. The officer will check:
- your passport or other travel document
- that you meet the eligibility requirements
- that your medical certificate is valid, if you need one
If you’re eligible for a study permit, the officer will issue one to you. If you’re not eligible, the officer will refuse your study permit. If your permit is refused, you may still be able to enter Canada as a visitor.
You can’t apply at a port of entry
You can’t apply for a study permit at a port of entry. You need to apply from outside Canada.
Select “Outside Canada” to find out how you can apply for a study permit.
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