international students
Study permit is a permit issued by IRCC allowing students to study at educational institutions and schools in Canada. Most foreigners need this permit before studying in Canada. You can apply for a study permit before or after entering Canada, depending on individual circumstances and timing. If you require a visa/eTA to enter Canada, you must have a visa/eTA upon entry. When applying for a study permit, if IRCC approves your application, you will be issued a visa to enter Canada.
How long can you stay in Canada with a study permit?
You can study in Canada if you:
- accepted into Designated Learning Institutes (DLI) - Please note that all primary and secondary schools in Canada are all designated so they won't be able found in the list of Designated Learning Institutes.
- prove you have enough money to pay for your: tuition, living expense for yourself and family members who accompanied you to Canada and round trip tickets for yourself and your family
- law-abiding and have no criminal record (provide police certificates when required)
- in good health and perform health check (when required)
- prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires
About Student Direct Stream (SDS)
Latest Updates: The Student Direct Stream has ended as of November 8th 2024.
Fees: From $150
Processing time: Usually 20 calendar days
Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
IRCC is processing SDS applications within 20 calendar days. However, some applications may take longer.
To get faster processing, you must
- give your biometrics as soon as possible
- meet all the eligibility requirements
A study permit is not a visa (travel document) and you cannot enter Canada with just this permit. You need to have a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). When submit your documents to study abroad and get approved, you will be issued a visitor visa or eTA along with your study permit. You need:
- legally resides in one of these countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Vietnam
- have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution
- live outside of Canada when you apply
- have proof you have paid your tuition for your first year of study
- have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000 CAD
- get approved Certificat d'acceptation du Queesbec (CAQ) by Ministère de l'immigration, de la Fancisation et de l'intégration
- get a medical exam before you apply (if you need one)
- get a police certificate before you apply (if you need one)
- have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)
- have a language test result that shows either:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic or general training score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening), or
- Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
Depending on where you're applying from, you may also need to provide other documents that are required by the visa processing office. IRCC may ask you to give additional documents to support your application. In this situation, your application will take longer to process.
An analysis of differences between SDS, CES and the usual study visa
Category | SDS | CES | Usual study visa |
|---|---|---|---|
School | All institutes after high school that in the list of DLI | 55 schools belongs to CICan | All school in DLI, secondary and primary schools |
IELTS | 6.0 for all 4 bands | 5.0 with no band under 4.5 | No required but encouraged |
Study Plan | Not required | Encouraged | Required |
Finance | GIC 10,000$ | GIC 10,000$ | Income proof documents, financial means and assets |
Tuition | 1 year of study | 1 year of study | Not required but can pay tuition to include as financial proof document |
Health check | before submitting application | before submitting application | Not required before submitting application but encouraged |
Processing time | 45 days | 60 days | 60 days |
Submission method | Online or directly at VAC | Directly at VAC | Online or directly at VAC |
Government fees | $150 + $85 biometrics and photo | $150 + $85 biometrics and photo | $150 + $85 biometrics and photo if under 14 years of age |
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as opportunities often come with challenges, and the visa refusal rate under the SDS category is significantly higher compared to other previously available options.
If you live another country listed above, you must apply through the regular study permit application process.
A GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time. Many banks offer GICs. The bank that gives you the GIC must:
- confirm that you bought a GIC by giving you 1 of the following:
- a letter of attestation
- a GIC certificate
- an Investment Directions Confirmation or
- an Investment Balance Confirmation
- hold the GIC in an investment account or a student account that you can’t access until you arrive in Canada
- make you confirm your identity before they release any funds to you
- release the funds to you by providing:
- an initial lump sum once you identify yourself upon arrival in Canada
- the remainder of the funds in monthly or bi-monthly installments over 10 to 12 months
If your bank or GIC doesn’t meet these criteria, you won’t be able to apply through the Student Direct Stream.
Financial institutions that offer GICs
You can get a GIC from a financial institution listed on the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company website. Make sure the financial institution you choose offers a GIC and meets the criteria for the Student Direct Stream.
The following financial institutions offer GICs that meet the criteria:
Medical exams and police certificates
Depending on where you’re applying from, you may need to get a medical exam or police certificate. To get faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must include these with your application (if you need them). If you don’t, they won’t process your application faster.
Who needs a medical exam
- You lived or travelled in certain countries or territories for 6 or more months in the year before you come to Canada, or
- You plan on studying or working in:
- the health field
- primary or secondary education, or
- child or elder care
To get a medical exam, you must see a doctor that has been approved by IRCC..
Find out more about medical exams..
Who needs a police certificate
Your visa office instructions will tell you if you need to get a police certificate. You’ll find these instructions when you select your country of residence below. Make sure you read these instructions before you apply, so you know if you need a police certificate or any other documents to apply.
Find out more about police certificates.
Bring your spouse or partner and children with you to Canada
Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may also be able to get faster processing on a
- visitor visa
- work permit
- study permit
You must complete and submit their applications at the same time as your own. If you don’t, we will not process their applications faster. When you apply online, indicate that you have family members coming with you to Canada. This lets you complete their applications with yours.
Contact us
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