Canada is a very popular destination for education with more than 130,000 students arriving to study in Canada in virtually every field. International students are actively encouraged to come to Canada to study, but before you do, you must first obtain a study permit. This document is issued by the Department of Citizenship & Immigration, which is a branch of Canada’s Federal Government. It will allow you to legally come to Canada and study for a specified period of
There are a few instances where a study permit is not necessary in order to come to Canada. You will not require a study permit if:
- You are enrolled in program that is six months or less that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada.
- You are enrolled in any non-academic, professional or vocational courses that can be completed within the period you are allowed to be in Canada.
- You are enrolled in a course that’s included in tour package as a supplementary activity for tourists.
- You or a member of your family is staff member of a foreign embassy in Canada, or an employee of any organization recognized by Foreign Affairs or International Trade Canada. Check with your embassy of origin to see if this applies to you.
- You are a member of an armed forces unit that is a designated state under the Visiting Forces Act.
If you do not fit any of the above criteria, you must apply for a study permit before entering Canada to study. In order to be eligible for application, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must already be accepted by a recognized school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada.
- You must prove that you have enough money to pay for any and all tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation for yourself and any family members that will be accompanying you during your stay in Canada
- You cannot have a criminal record, or be on any international watch list that indicates you are a potential danger. You may have to provide a police certificate in order to prove this. These can usually be obtained either from your foreign embassy or your local police station.
- You may be required to take a medical exam in your country of origin before coming to Canada. If you show symptoms of any communicable disease such as Tuberculosis or SARS, you may not be allowed to enter Canada.
Thanks to the wonders of technology, it is now possible to apply for a Study Permit online through the Canadian Citizenship & Immigration website! Click this link to begin the process. For more information on Study Permits and the application process, click here.
