Lana Oconnell
Canada is a popular study destination for international students due to its high-ranking universities, lower tuition fees, and post-study work options. To study in Canada as an international student, most foreign nationals need a study permit, which serves as a visa and is issued by the Canadian government. This permit allows international students to enroll in designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. The application process for a study permit requires various documents, including a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) and biometrics, such as fingerprints and a digital photo. The government has recently capped the number of student visas for the next two years to address housing shortages and ensure a sustainable plan for international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Study Permit | International students need a study permit to study in Canada. |
| Application Process | Students must apply and be approved for a study permit before arriving in Canada. Applications require a biometrics fee, which covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. |
| Work Permit | Students who want to work during their studies need to apply for a work permit. |
| Travel Visa | Depending on their plans, international students may need a travel visa if they are staying in Canada for less than six months. |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | An eTA is required for foreign nationals who are visa-exempt and travelling to Canada by air (except Americans). An eTA is issued automatically with a study permit. |
| Port of Entry | Students cannot apply for a study permit at a port of entry. They must apply online from outside Canada. |
| Visa Debit Cards | Canada accepts Visa Debit cards for study permit payments. |
| Changes to Schools | As of November 8, 2024, students cannot change schools on the same study permit. A new permit is required to change schools. |
| Visa Cap | The Canadian government has capped the number of student visas for 2025 to tackle housing shortages and protect the integrity of the immigration system. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students need a study permit to study in Canada
- Visa requirements depend on the length of stay
- Students may need a work permit to work during their studies
- Students must apply for a new study permit if they change institutions
- The Canadian government has capped the number of student visas for 2025 and 2026
International students need a study permit to study in Canada
International students intending to study in Canada need a study permit, which is a document issued to foreign nationals to enable them to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. The application for a study permit must be approved before arrival in Canada.
To apply for a study permit, a student must possess a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study. In Quebec, this is called a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). The application must also include a biometrics fee, which covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. If the student needs an electronic travel authorization (ETA) or visa, it will be issued at the same time as the study permit, without requiring a separate application or fee.
International students with a study permit must always be enrolled at a DLI, show progress toward finishing their study program, and respect the conditions listed on their study permit. If they want to change institutions, they must apply for a new study permit. Additionally, students intending to work during their studies need to apply for a work permit.
It is important to note that the Canadian government has recently capped the number of student visas for the next two years. This decision aims to tackle housing shortages faced by international students and ensure they have access to the necessary resources for a successful academic experience. The cap will not affect renewals for existing study permits, and the government is working with relevant stakeholders to create a sustainable plan for international students.
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Visa requirements depend on the length of stay
To study in Canada, international students must apply for a study permit, which acts as a visa during their stay. The study permit is usually valid for the length of the study program plus an extra 90 days. This 90-day period allows students to either prepare to leave Canada or apply for a new visa. If a student completes their studies before their study permit expires, the permit will stop being valid 90 days after they complete their studies, regardless of the printed expiration date.
If a student's program includes conditional acceptance, requiring them to take certain courses before being accepted into the main program, their study permit will be valid for the length of those courses plus one year. Once they are accepted into the main program, they must apply to extend their stay as a student.
If a student's study permit expires before they finish their courses, they must apply to extend their stay as a student. If they do not, they will need to discontinue their studies and leave the country. When the student visa expires, students have the option to renew the student visa, apply for a different type of permit such as a work permit, or leave Canada.
If a student wishes to change their post-secondary school, they must get a new study permit by applying to extend their current one. Additionally, if a student is in a co-op program and wishes to change to a co-op program at a different school, they must apply for a new co-op work permit.
International students with a study permit are eligible to work during their studies if their permit indicates so. Their eligibility to work depends on factors such as the length of their program and whether the work is on or off-campus.
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Students may need a work permit to work during their studies
International students intending to study in Canada must apply for a study permit before arriving in the country. This permit allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs). Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada.
Students who wish to work during their studies in Canada will need to apply for a work permit. This includes students who want to take up co-op or internship work placements. The eligibility to work during studies depends on certain conditions, including the length of the student's program and whether the work is on or off-campus. Students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while their classes are in session.
To apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work off-campus, students must have certain conditions printed on their study permit. These conditions include being allowed to work 24 hours per week off-campus or full-time during regular breaks, as outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Students must request an amendment to their study permit before applying for a SIN.
It is important to note that working more than 24 hours a week is a violation of the study permit conditions, which could lead to losing student status and future permit approvals. Students are responsible for tracking their work hours, including any time spent earning wages, even if they are on call and not actively working.
In some cases, individuals with a valid work permit may be eligible to study without a study permit. However, this does not apply to those who applied for a work permit after June 7, 2023. Additionally, workers in Quebec are eligible to study in the province without a study permit under a temporary public policy as of June 27, 2023.
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Students must apply for a new study permit if they change institutions
As an international student, the most important document you need before arriving in Canada is a study permit. This document allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada.
If you are an international student in Canada and you want to change your designated learning institution (DLI), you must apply for a new study permit. This means that you can no longer change DLIs by simply notifying IRCC through your online account. To change DLIs, you need to apply for a new study permit by extending your current one. You must also pay all the fees for the new application.
If you are transferring to a new DLI, you must submit a new study permit application with a new letter of acceptance. The school you plan to change to must also be a DLI. Before committing to changing schools and applying for a study permit extension, make sure to check that your new school is a DLI.
Additionally, if you are in a co-op program and are changing to a co-op program at a different school, you must apply for a new co-op work permit. Starting January 22, 2025, at 12:00 A.M. EST, if you apply for a study permit, you will require a PAL. A new PAL will be issued to you from your new DLI.
It is important to note that you must remain enrolled at the DLI listed on your current study permit until the new permit is approved. Failing to report a change in schools could lead to serious consequences, including permit invalidation, cancellation, or a requirement to leave Canada or change your status.
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The Canadian government has capped the number of student visas for 2025 and 2026
International students intending to study in Canada are required to obtain a study permit, which is a document that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. In addition to the study permit, international students may also need a work or travel visa, depending on their plans. A work visa is required if they intend to work during their studies.
In January 2024, the Canadian government introduced a temporary cap on the number of international student visas, limiting the number of study permits issued to foreign nationals. This measure aimed to ease the strain on housing, healthcare, and other services in the country. The cap resulted in a 40% reduction in the number of international students entering Canada and eased pressure on rental markets in high-student population areas.
For 2025, the Canadian government has allocated a total of 437,000 study permits to be issued, representing a 10% decrease from the 2024 cap. The breakdown of these permits includes 120,724 for PAL/TAL-exempt students and 316,267 for PAL/TAL-required groups. Provinces and territories are expected to issue the same number of study permits to graduate students in 2025 as they did in 2023.
The inclusion of postgraduate studies in the 2025 and 2026 caps may impact Canadian institutions' ability to attract talented international students. However, Canada maintains a strong post-graduation work program, with recent changes emphasizing no additional field of study requirements for master's and doctoral levels. The government has also clarified policies related to PAL/TAL requirements, now exempting exchange students from this criterion to facilitate reciprocal study opportunities for Canadians abroad.
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Frequently asked questions
A study permit is a document that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada.
You must apply and be approved for a study permit before you arrive in Canada. You should apply for your study permit before travelling to Canada. If you are outside of Canada, you may still be eligible to apply for a study permit when you arrive at a port of entry.
In most cases, you will need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) from the province or territory where you plan to study. In Quebec, this is called a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). You should also make sure you have all the other required documents before you apply.
Your study permit will say if you’re eligible to work while you study. Your eligibility to work depends on certain conditions, including the length of your program and whether the work is on or off-campus. Many post-secondary international students are now eligible to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while their classes are in session.
