Study permits
Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and allow you to study in Canada temporarily. You'll need a study permit if your program is longer than 6 months.
Not sure if you need a study permit? Contact us.
How to apply for a study permit
For information on study permit requirements to study in Canada, visit IRCC’s website.
It can take a few months to receive a study permit, and it is important that you apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter from NIC. To check the current processing time, please visit IRCC’s website. Please note that the approximate processing time does not include the time it takes to send application between a VAC (visa application centre) and IRCC office, the time you need to complete your biometrics, or the time it takes to send and receive your passport from a VAC.
If your program includes a Co-op/Internship/practicum requirement, ensure you tick the appropriate box on your study permit application to request a co-op work permit. Waiting until you are in Canada to apply for a work permit will result in long wait times. For more information, speak to your agent or visit IRCC’s website.
If your contact information changes after you have submitted an application, be sure to update it through IRCC’s web form and through myNIC.
For information on study permit requirements to study in Canada, visit IRCC’s website.
It can take a few months to receive a study permit, and it is important that you apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter from NIC. To check the current processing time, please visit IRCC’s website. Please note that the approximate processing time does not include the time it takes to send application between a VAC (visa application centre) and IRCC office, the time you need to complete your biometrics, or the time it takes to send and receive your passport from a VAC.
If your program includes a Co-op/Internship/practicum requirement, ensure you tick the appropriate box on your study permit application to request a co-op work permit. Waiting until you are in Canada to apply for a work permit will result in long wait times. For more information, speak to your agent or visit IRCC’s website.
If your contact information changes after you have submitted an application, be sure to update it through IRCC’s web form and through myNIC.
For information on study permit requirements to study in Canada, visit IRCC’s website.
It can take a few months to receive a study permit, and it is important that you apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter from NIC. To check the current processing time, please visit IRCC’s website. Please note that the approximate processing time does not include the time it takes to send application between a VAC (visa application centre) and IRCC office, the time you need to complete your biometrics, or the time it takes to send and receive your passport from a VAC.
If your program includes a Co-op/Internship/practicum requirement, ensure you tick the appropriate box on your study permit application to request a co-op work permit. Waiting until you are in Canada to apply for a work permit will result in long wait times. For more information, speak to your agent or visit IRCC’s website.
If your contact information changes after you have submitted an application, be sure to update it through IRCC’s web form and through myNIC.
Review the IRCC website and check the processing times. The IRCC processing times don't include the time it takes to:
- Process your Visa application
- Complete your biometrics
- Verify your passport
Apply for your study permit as soon as you get your Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter from NIC. Requests can take a few months to process, so apply before you arrive in Canada.
If your program includes a co-op, internship or practicum, you'll also need a co-op work permit. Be sure to select this option on your application.
Financial support requirements
When you apply for a study permit, you must show that you can pay for your studies and living costs in Canada. Many applications are refused because students do not give enough proof of financial support.
You must show you have enough money, without working in Canada, to pay for all of the following for your first year of studies:
- Tuition fees for your whole program
- Travel expenses to and from Canada for yourself and family members
- Living expenses for yourself and family members (the minimum funds to cover living expenses for an individual for one year are $22,895)
Example:
| Item | Cost |
| First year of tuition (estimate) | $16,000 |
| Travel expenses to and from Canada as an individual (estimate) | $2,000 |
| Living expenses as an individual | $22,895 |
| Total | $40,895 |
Important: You will only need to show proof of funds for your first year. However, IRCC officers will also want to see that you are likely able to pay for the rest of your program and living expenses.
Funds to cover one year of living expenses increases with each additional family members:
| Number of family members (including the applicant) |
Amount required per year (excluding tuition and transportation costs) in Canadian dollars |
| 1 | $22,895 |
| 2 | $28,502 |
| 3 | $35,040 |
| 4 | $42,543 |
| 5 | $48,252 |
Documentation of financial resources
You can submit any of the following documents in order to prove you have the required funds to cover your study and living expenses in Canada:
- Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you’ve transferred money to Canada
- A guaranteed investment certificate from a participating Canadian financial institution
- Proof of a student or education loan from a bank
- Bank statements (for your Canadian or foreign bank account) from the previous four months
- A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
- A letter and copy of photo identification (i.e. passport) of the person giving you
money
- This must be accompanied by other documents showing proof of funds in their accounts such as six months of bank statements and a letter of employment
In some situations, IRCC may ask for additional proof of funds. This could include bank history or documents showing your family’s income and employment. If you transfer money into your account, you may need to show exactly where the funds came from.
For the most up-to-date information, speak to your agent or visit IRCC’s website.
Important: If your contact information changes after you've applied for a study permit, be sure to update it through IRCC’s web form and through myNIC.
