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Study Permit Canada

Canada attracts in excess of 130,000 students each year (source CIC website), with the vast majority of them requiring a study permit.

Study permits are not required by those who are taking a course of 6 months or less. It should be noted that it may be good advice to apply for one anyway because if  the student decides to take another course, he or she can only apply for a study permit outside of Canada unless he or she already has one. This would mean leaving Canada to make an application.

Study permits are also not required where the parents of a child under the age of 18 are already legal resident sin Canada.

Study Permit Requirements

There are a number of criteria for students to meet in order to successfully apply for a study permit:
  • The student must have been accepted by an appropriate learning institution such as a college, university or school.
  • The immigration officer should be convinced that the student intends to leave Canada at the end of their studies.
  • Sufficient financial resources are in place to cover student fees, living expanses and transportation.
  • The student must be in good health.
  • No criminal record and posing no threat to Canada and its citizens.

Can you work with a Study Permit?

Working as a holder of a Canadian Study permit is permitted under the following options:
  • On Campus – no work permit is required as long as you hold a valid study permit and are a full time student.
  • Off campus – a work permit is required for this and it may be obtained after the student has been studying for 6 months and is at a participating institution. Again the student must be in a full-time course. Working hours are restricted to 20 hours per week during study time and full-time in holidays.

Can my spouse or common-law partner work while I study?

Spouses and common-law spouses are entitled to apply for an open work permit provided they are accompanying the holder of a valid study permit.

The study permit holder must be in full-time education at a post-secondary educational institution, which is either public or receives 50 % or more of its funding from government grants, or a private institution allowed by a provincial decree to award degrees.

The work permit is an open work permit meaning no job need be secured prior to application.

Can I work in Canada after I finish my studies?

International students can apply for a post-graduate work permit. This permit can NOT be longer than the duration of the course they have finished studying, to a maximum of 3 years. Please note applications must be made when the student is still in possession of a valid study permit and within 90 days of receiving written confirmation that they may pick up their degree or diploma.

Obtaining a post graduate work permit  after completing your studies in Canada does enable you to explore other immigration options such as the following:

Federal Immigration Options


Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)


British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)


Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)


New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program


Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)


Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP)


Opportunities Ontario Provincial Nominee Program


Prince Edward Islan Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

  • International Graduates

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)