Student Visa

Study In Canada

Choosing to study in Canada absolutely is an opportunity to encounter vastly different cultural and natural experiences – from British Columbia to the prairie province of Manitoba, and some other cities such as Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Edmonton famously friendly, and multicultural.

Occupying the northern half of the North American continent, Canada is known for its nature, few nations in the world can boast anything close to its wealth of forests, lakes and mountain, and for its multicultural diversity. Canada has bilingual status, with English and French.

What is a study permit?

The study permit is a document which is issue that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada. Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. Make sure you have all the documents you need before you apply.

How long can you stay in Canada with a study permit?

A study permit is usually valid for the length of your study program, plus an extra 90 days. This extra time lets you prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay.

  • If you can’t finish your courses before the date on your permit, you must apply to extend your stay as a student.
  • If you finish your studies early, your permit will stop being valid 90 days after you complete your studies (no matter what day is printed on the study permit).

You have completed your studies either

    • on the date you get the first notification from your school (such as an email, letter, transcript, etc.) or
    • when you get your degree, diploma or certificate.
    • You must prove provide proof of the date you got one of these.
Can you go back home while studying?

If you plan to leave Canada during a scheduled break (such as the summer, or winter holidays and spring break), you may need to show proof you are enrolled in your school when you return to Canada. If you came here on:

  • a visa, you also need to make sure it is still valid.
  • an electronic travel authorization (eTA), and you leave and return to Canada by air, you will need to make sure it is still valid.                                                                                       Ref. IRCC website
Who can apply for study permit?

You can study in Canada if you:

  • are enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)
  • 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
  • obey the law, have no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
  • are 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.

 

The applicant’s responsibilities while studying in Canada:

While studying in Canada you must:

  • make progress towards completing your program
  • respect any conditions listed on your study permit
  • stop studying if you no longer meet the requirements and
  • leave Canada when your permit expires

Depending on your case, there may be conditions on your study permit such as:

  • the level of studies you can attend
  • if you are allowed to work in Canada
  • if you can’t travel within Canada
  • the date you must stop studying
Does students can work while studying?

You may work without a work permit on your school campus where you are studying if you:

  • are a full-time post-secondary student at:
    • a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
    • a private college-level school in Quebec that operates under the same rules as public schools, and is at least 50% funded by government grants, or
    • a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law
  • have a valid study permit and
  • have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

You must stop working on campus on the day you are no longer studying full time or when your study permit expires.

Where can you work?

“On-campus” means all the buildings on your school campus. If your school has more than one campus, in most cases, you may work only at locations in the city where you are studying.

There is an exception if you are working as a teaching or research assistant and your work is strictly related to a research grant. In this case, you may work at a library, hospital or research facility associated with your school, even if they are outside the campus.

Who can you work for?

An “on-campus” employer can be:

  • the school
  • a faculty member
  • a student organization
  • yourself (self-employed on-campus)
  • a private business
  • a private contractor that provides on-campus services to the school.