First decide whether a study permit is legally required.
| Situation | Permit rule | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Program longer than 6 months | A study permit is normally required before travel | You need a valid passport, DLI acceptance, sufficient funds and admissibility; Québec normally also requires a CAQ |
| Program 6 months or less | Usually exempt if it is not part of a longer program and finishes within the authorized stay | A permit can still be useful for continuing studies and access to student work rules; entry still requires the correct visa/eTA |
| Minor applying from outside Canada for more than 6 months | A study permit is normally required | An unaccompanied minor also needs custodianship, school acceptance and financial evidence |
| Minor already in Canada | Kindergarten; certain preschool/K–12 cases with a parent holding a work/study permit; refugee/refugee-claimant children; and some children without a parent in Canada may study without a permit | The child still needs valid temporary status and should usually obtain a permit before reaching the provincial age of majority |
| Other statutory or temporary exemptions | Registered Indians, certain Visiting Forces members, accredited foreign-representative staff/family, qualifying older work-permit holders and eligible construction apprentices | Every exemption has exact conditions and does not itself create entry, work or post-graduation rights |
School, college and university rules are not interchangeable.
Primary and secondary school
All Canadian primary and secondary schools can enrol international students and are treated as DLIs. Apply early—IRCC suggests about 6 months before the intended start.
College or university
The exact post-secondary institution and campus must be on the DLI list. Each institution sets admission, language, tuition, deposit and refund rules; IRCC suggests applying about a year in advance.
Private career college
Provincial regulation varies. Confirm provincial authorization, the exact DLI entry, credential recognition, licensing value and refund protection before paying.
Language program
A DLI may issue an LOA, but stand-alone English/French-as-a-second-language study does not normally lead to a PGWP.
PGWP planning
DLI status alone is not enough. The DLI list identifies which institutions and programs may support a PGWP; also check duration, delivery model, field-of-study and language rules.
Health insurance
Canada does not automatically pay international-student medical costs. Provincial coverage and school plans vary, so arrange coverage before arrival.
Verify the exact program and future goal before paying tuition.
- 01
Match the institution name, campus, DLI number, credential and program start/end dates to the letter of acceptance.
- 02
Read the deposit and refund terms for visa refusal, withdrawal, deferral and program cancellation; keep every receipt and written representation.
- 03
Check whether the credential is recognized for the intended regulated profession, trade, graduate admission or career outcome.
- 04
For PGWP planning, verify the exact program—not only the school—and document the DLI-list result on the day of payment.
- 05
For a non-degree program, identify its CIP code and whether the applicant’s study-permit filing date triggers the eligible field-of-study rule.
- 06
In Québec, confirm the CAQ, financial-capacity and attestation process before the federal application.
A complete study-permit file connects eligibility, study logic and evidence.
Letter of acceptance
Use a valid LOA from the exact DLI/campus and respect school-verification instructions. Admission alone does not establish immigration eligibility.
PAL/TAL or exemption
Most applicants need a valid provincial/territorial attestation. Important exemptions include preschool/K–12 and, since January 1, 2026, degree-granting master’s and doctoral study at a public DLI.
Québec CAQ
Most Québec students need the provincial CAQ/attestation before the federal filing; the study-permit and CAQ dates and program must align.
Funds
Show first-year tuition, current IRCC living costs for every accompanying family member, travel and a credible source/continuation plan. Explain loans, sponsors and recent deposits.
Study plan
Explain academic progression, why this program/school/Canada, career value, gaps, prior education, language readiness, finances and temporary compliance.
Admissibility
Identity, immigration history, prior refusals, criminality, medical requirements, family information and translations must be complete and consistent.
Apply online with the correct location and family strategy.
- 01
Study-permit applications are normally online. Paper is limited to disability accommodation and specified refugee/stateless documents.
- 02
Upload LOA, valid PAL/TAL or exemption proof, CAQ where applicable, funds, identity, education, study plan and country-specific forms.
- 03
Complete biometrics and medical examination where required. Medical timing affects work authorization in designated occupations.
- 04
A spouse/partner or child submits their own visitor, work or study application and must meet the current family-member rules.
- 05
Do not assume a study permit can be requested at a port of entry; current IRCC instructions generally require the appropriate advance process.
Budget government fees and the real cost of the file.
Tuition deposits, PAL/TAL or CAQ costs, medicals, police certificates, translations, VAC/courier, insurance and travel are separate. Re-check the live fee list before filing.
| Item | Current federal fee (CAN$) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Study permit or extension | $150 per person | A family member’s visa, work or study application is separate |
| Restore student status and obtain a new study permit | $396.25 | $246.25 restoration plus $150 study permit; restoration is discretionary |
| Biometrics | $85 per person / eligible family maximum $170 | Only where required; validity and exemption rules apply |
Officers assess more than the admission letter.
- 01
Show sufficient and available funds without unexplained last-minute deposits.
- 02
Explain program logic, academic preparedness, language ability, career plan and why the cost makes sense.
- 03
Address home-country/family/economic ties and lawful dual intent; the applicant must leave if no further status is granted.
- 04
Disclose all refusals, immigration histories, relatives and representatives. A template plan that conflicts with evidence harms credibility.
- 05
On approval, review the port-of-entry letter and temporary resident visa/eTA. The actual study permit is issued on entry after examination.
Maintain student status and keep a paper trail after arrival.
Enrolment and progress
Remain enrolled at the DLI named in the permit and actively pursue studies. Preserve enrolment letters, transcripts, attendance and authorized-leave records.
Authorized leave
A DLI-authorized leave is generally limited to 150 days for compliance purposes. On- and off-campus work is not allowed during an authorized leave.
Contact and permit conditions
Update the school and IRCC where required and obey work, medical, level, DLI and expiry conditions printed on the permit.
Stopping or finishing early
Stopping studies can end work authorization. The study permit normally becomes invalid 90 days after written program completion even if a later date is printed.
Travel document
A study permit is not a visa. Re-entry normally requires a valid passport plus TRV or eTA, and the final admission decision remains with CBSA.
Changing a school and changing a program use different processes.
IRCC currently advertises 60-day processing for a properly identified in-Canada post-secondary DLI-change extension. Changing without reporting can lead to invalidation, cancellation, removal concerns and future refusals.
New post-secondary DLI
Apply to extend and obtain a new study permit before starting at the new DLI. Include the new LOA, explanation and a new PAL/TAL unless exempt.
Narrow early-start exception
A student may start at the new DLI while waiting only under the limited IRCC criteria involving closure, program discontinuance, suspension or loss of designation by the former DLI, while also remaining in Canada and compliant.
Same DLI, new program
A valid permit may cover the change unless its conditions restrict the student; extend if the new program outlasts the permit and obtain a new PAL/TAL where required.
Secondary to post-secondary
A student without a study permit must receive one before post-secondary study. A permit holder may need a new permit under the current change rules.
Québec
A new CAQ/attestation is commonly required; limited vocational-centre exceptions exist.
Outside Canada after approval
Changing the DLI normally requires a new study-permit application, new LOA and fees before travel.
Extend before expiry; restoration is not an extension.
- 01
The printed expiry is usually the program length plus 90 days, but early written completion can make the permit invalid 90 days later. Calculate the legal date instead of relying only on the card.
- 02
IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before expiry. The legal requirement is to submit a complete extension before status expires.
- 03
If a complete extension is filed on time and the student stays in Canada, maintained status can allow continued study under the same conditions while IRCC decides.
- 04
Travel during maintained status can affect the ability to resume study on return. Carry the permit, filing proof and valid TRV/eTA and review the individual re-entry plan.
- 05
If status expires before filing, stop studying. Restoration is normally requested within 90 days, requires explanation and fees, is discretionary and does not authorize study while pending.
- 06
If continuing in Québec, renew the CAQ early enough to support the federal extension.
Work authorization depends on enrolment, program and timing.
- 01
Eligible full-time students in qualifying post-secondary programs may work on campus without a separate work permit when the study-permit conditions allow it.
- 02
Eligible students may work off campus up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. The student must remain eligible before, during and after the break.
- 03
Work cannot start before the study program begins. Language-only, general-interest, prerequisite-only and authorized-leave periods can remove off-campus eligibility.
- 04
As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary students no longer need a co-op work permit for a required student work placement; existing co-op permits remain valid. Secondary-school placements and other situations must follow their own rule.
- 05
Exceeding hours or working while ineligible is unauthorized work and can affect the study permit, PGWP and future applications.
- 06
A SIN is administrative and does not create authorization; the permit conditions and regulations control.
Master’s and doctoral students have important 2026 rules.
PAL/TAL
From January 1, 2026, students entering a degree-granting master’s or doctoral program at a public DLI do not need a PAL/TAL; the LOA and all other study-permit evidence remain required.
Doctoral processing
IRCC advertises 2-week processing for eligible doctoral study-permit applications that follow the specific instructions and submit a complete application.
Family
Family members may apply together, but every person must qualify for their own visa/permit. A spouse open work permit depends on the current program-level and family rules.
PGWP length
A qualifying master’s program of at least 8 months (900 hours in Québec) may support a 3-year PGWP even if the program is under 2 years; certificate and diploma programs do not receive this master’s exception.
PGWP eligibility must be planned before enrolment—not after graduation.
General requirements
Complete an eligible program at a PGWP-eligible DLI lasting at least 8 months (900 hours in Québec), remain full-time each semester except a permitted final part-time semester, apply within 180 days of written completion and have held a valid study permit during that 180-day period.
Language for degrees/university
Bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and other university-program graduates generally need approved English CLB 7 or French NCLC 7 in all four skills.
Language for college/non-university
Other college, polytechnic and non-university graduates generally need CLB/NCLC 5 in all four skills.
Field of study
Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates have no field requirement. Other university, college and non-university graduates whose study-permit application was filed on or after November 1, 2024 generally need an eligible CIP field.
Length
Programs from 8 months to under 2 years usually support a permit up to the program length; programs of 2 years or more may support up to 3 years. Passport expiry can shorten issuance.
Common exclusions
A prior PGWP, stand-alone ESL/FSL, general-interest or non-credit study, more than 50% distance learning, non-eligible DLI/program and most public-private curriculum-licensing programs can make the graduate ineligible.
One-time permit
A PGWP is generally available once. A later program does not create a second PGWP, so sequencing programs, passport validity and the first application matter.
Minors and accompanying families have separate files and risks.
- 01
Age of majority is 18 or 19 depending on the province/territory. Custodianship, parental consent, custody orders and school-board evidence depend on age and travel arrangement.
- 02
A study permit for one family member does not guarantee a spouse open work permit or a child’s visa/study permit.
- 03
Family applications should use consistent funds, purpose, custody, travel, accommodation and return plans.
- 04
Keep legal status for every person independently and plan the minor’s study permit before reaching the age of majority.
Bringing family requires a separate plan for every person.
Spouse or partner
An open work permit is not automatic. Current rules focus on spouses/partners of students in qualifying master’s, doctoral and specified professional programs, plus limited policy categories.
Minor children
A child may need a study permit depending on age, location and the parent’s status. School-board admission, custody and funds remain separate.
Visitor family
A family member who is not eligible to work or study needs the correct visitor document and must maintain status independently.
Funds and purpose
Show credible tuition and living funds for the whole family and explain the study, work, care and return plan consistently.
Study can support—but never guarantee—a permanent-residence pathway.
- 01
Choose a program for real education and career value first. A DLI, PGWP or Canadian credential does not guarantee an invitation or nomination.
- 02
Before enrolment, compare PGWP eligibility, expected NOC/TEER, provincial licensing, language requirements and relevant Express Entry, PNP, Atlantic, rural or Francophone programs.
- 03
Keep authorized status and work records. Unauthorized work, ineligible self-employment or missing proof can make experience unusable.
- 04
After graduation, calculate PGWP timing, language tests, ECA for prior foreign education where useful, job requirements, provincial residence intent and permit expiry together.
French-speaking students may have a separate FMCSP option.
The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot uses participating schools, eligible countries, a mainly French program, NCLC 5 and a modified financial threshold. It is not available simply because a program is taught in French.
Official sources & application
The practical answer is in this guide; use these links to verify live changes and apply officially.
Ghasedak explains the eligibility, evidence, process and important cautions in plain language. Because laws, forms, fees and filing methods can change, also check the live official instructions on the day you submit. This is general information, not individual legal advice.