Apply for a study permit
You need to give your biometrics
You now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) when you apply for a study permit if you are from Europe, the Middle East or Africa.
Find out who needs to give biometrics and how the new application process works.
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.
- 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 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.
Before you apply
Before you apply for a study permit, you need the following:
- an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI)
- a valid passport or travel document
Find out which documents you need before you apply for a study permit.
You also must do the following:
- show proof that you have enough money to pay for your:
- tuition fees
- living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
- return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
- be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
- be in good health. You may need to complete a medical exam.
- convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies.
Note: If your school asked you to take some courses before they will accept you into the main program (conditional acceptance), we will only issue your study permit for the length of these courses. When you get accepted into the main program, you can apply to extend your stay as student from within Canada.
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.
Apply for a study permit within Canada
You can only apply for a study permit within Canada if you’re:
- a minor child in primary or secondary school
- an exchange or visiting student
- a student who has completed a short-term course or study program, which is a condition for being accepted at a DLI
- someone who holds a temporary resident permit (TRP) valid for at least 6 months, or their family member
- a spouse or common-law partner (and their family members) being sponsored to immigrate, who are:
- in Canada, and
- have applied for permanent residence, if eligible
- a person with a study permit from a visa office abroad, and the permit was issued before you got to Canada, who wants to keep studying
- the family member of:
- athletes on a Canadian-based team
- media representatives
- members of the clergy, or
- military personnel assigned to Canada
- a family member or private staff member of a foreign representative who is properly accredited (90 days before or after you are no longer authorized to study without a study permit), or
- a foreign national or their family member with a valid study or work permit, who wants to stay in Canada longer to study
If you’re in Canada and none of the options above describe you, you need to follow the instructions for applying for a study permit from outside Canada.
Remember that you can’t stay in Canada after your passport expires. If you renewed your passport since you entered Canada, you have to submit photocopies of both your new passport and the stamp placed in your old passport when you apply.
Apply online
Save time and get case updates online!
- No courier fees or mail delivery time – we get your application instantly.
- Avoid processing delays. Incomplete applications are returned to you. Applying online helps ensure your application is complete before you submit it.
- If we need to ask for more documents, you can quickly submit them online.
- Get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.
Ready to get started?
To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card.
Apply on paper
Read the Instruction Guide [IMM 5552] to get all the details to apply on paper. Submit your application to the address listed in the application package.
Apply for a study permit outside Canada
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.
Note: If you need an eTA or visa, we will issue it automatically at the same time as your study permit. You don’t need to apply separately or pay another fee.
Apply online
Save time and get case updates online!
- No courier fees or mail delivery time – we get your application instantly.
- Avoid processing delays. Incomplete applications are returned to you. Applying online helps ensure your application is complete before you submit it.
- If we need to ask for more documents, you can quickly submit them online.
- Get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.
Ready to get started?
To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card.
Apply on paper
You can get help with your paper application at your nearest VAC or follow the steps below to prepare your application yourself:
1. Get the application package
The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download the application package.
Find out which documents you will need to apply. Make sure you include them with your application.
Fill in the forms carefully and completely. We will not process incomplete application packages. We will return them to you.
2. Pay your application fees
In most countries, you must pay application fees in Canadian dollars. More about this and the methods you can use to pay are in the pay your fees tool.
If you apply on paper at a VAC, you will have to pay the VAC services fees. These fees are not included in your IRCC application fees.
3. Submit your application
Note: Families should send their applications in one package to the office where we will process the principal applicant (based on their type of application).
Apply for a study permit at the port of entry (POE)
You may apply for a study permit when you enter Canada, if you are any of the following:
- a citizen of the U.S.
- a permanent resident of the U.S.
- a person who has lawfully been admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence
- a resident of Greenland
- a resident of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Find out which documents you will need to apply. Make sure you include them with your application at the POE.
Most international students and temporary workers need to give their biometrics at a VAC, ASC or temporary location in Europe. Find a location near you.
Only certain applicants can apply for a study or work permit at a Canadian port of entry (POE).
- If you’re eligible to apply at a Canadian POE as an international student or temporary worker, you can give your biometrics at same time you apply at these POE locations.
- If you started the application process online, by mail or at a VAC, you can’t finish your application process and give your biometrics at a POE. If you try to do this, you risk being unable to enter Canada.
- If you’re not eligible, you can’t give your biometrics at a POE.
Other information or documents
Once we get your application, we may ask for more information or documents such as the following:
Medical information
In most cases, you will need a medical exam. A visa officer will send you instructions if you need one. This may add more than 3 months to the processing time of your application. Find out more about medical exams.
Security information
If you want to study in Canada, you may have to give us police certificates. This also applies to any family members who:
- come to Canada with you, and
- are 18 years of age and over
Find out more about security checks.
Processing time
How long it takes to process your application depends on where you applied. For more information, see application processing times.
Document navigation
Top questions about studying in Canada
- Do I need a permit to study in Canada?
- I am an international student in Canada. Can I work while studying?
- As an international student, can I return home or travel outside Canada during my studies?
- When should I apply for my study permit?
- I want to change my school or program of study. How can I change my study permit?
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