Canada’s Free Trade Agreements
Canada’s Free Trade Agreements

Study Permit Application

Check your eligibility:

To be eligible to study in Canada, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  • Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover your tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any accompanying family members, as well as the cost of return transportation.
  • Abide by Canadian laws, with no criminal history. A police certificate may be required.
  • Be in good health and, if necessary, undergo a medical examination.
  • Convince the immigration officer that you will leave Canada once your study permit expires.

How We Can Help

How We Can Help

General Document Checklist for Study Permit Application:

You need these documents to apply for a study permit:
  • Proof of acceptance
  • For Post-secondary Students your school must verify the validity of your LOA. If you don’t respond by the deadline, your application will be returned, and your fee refunded. Confirm with your school that the LOA will be validated before resubmitting.
  • If you’ve been conditionally accepted, you’ll need to complete prerequisite courses (e.g., language courses). Your study permit will cover the duration of those courses plus one year. After acceptance into your main program, you’ll need to apply for a new study permit.
  • Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter
  • Proof of identity
  • A valid passport or travel document.
  • Two recent passport-sized photos - Write the name and date of birth of the person on the back of each photo.
  • Proof of financial support - You must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who come with you while you are in Canada.
  • a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
Number of Family MembersAmount of Funds Required per Year (excluding tuition)
1CAN$20,635
2CAN$25,690
3CAN$31,583
4CAN$38,346
5CAN$43,492
6CAN$49,051
7CAN$54,611
More than 7 (per additional member)CAN$5,559

Letter of Explanation

  • The Letter of Explanation helps the visa officer understand your intentions and goals. It should explain:
    • Why you want to study in Canada.
    • Your understanding of the responsibilities as a student.

Even if your program does not require a study permit, you should include this letter when applying.

Medical Exam

  • You may need a medical exam if:
    • You plan to stay in Canada for more than 6 months.
    • You’ve recently been in certain countries.
    • You plan to work in jobs where public health must be protected.

Custodian Declaration (Minor Children)

If the minor requires a custodian, include the Custodianship Declaration form (IMM 5646). It requires notarization (certification by a notary). Both the custodian in Canada and the parents or legal guardians of the minor must sign the relevant pages.

Other Supporting Documents

    • Follow the visa office instructions for your specific country or region.
    • If you’re not in your home country, you may need to provide proof of your immigration status in the country where you’re applying.
    • If your passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit, obtain one before applying for a Canadian visa. You may also need other documents.
Apply online: If you’re applying for a study permit, you must apply online, whether you’re outside of Canada or already in Canada.

After you apply

  1. Biometrics (Fingerprints and Photo)
    Applicants should book their biometrics collection appointment as soon as possible to avoid processing delays.
  2. Study Permit Application Processing
    Once the application is received, officials will check to ensure all necessary documents are included. If any documents are missing, the application may be returned without processing, or the applicant may be asked to submit additional documents.

Additional steps may include:

  • Attending an interview with officials in the applicant’s country.
  • Providing more information, if requested.
  • Undergoing a medical exam or obtaining a police certificate, if required.

 

If the applicant wishes to defer their enrollment while the application is processed, they must notify the authorities.

  1. Missing Documents
    If required documents were not submitted initially, applicants can submit them through their online account or using the web form. The application will not be processed until it is complete, and delays in submitting documents may slow down the process.
  2. Updating Your Application
    If the applicant changes their address, phone number, or any other contact information, they must update their application accordingly.
  3. Application Status Tracker
    To track the status of an application, applicants can use the application status tracker. To create an account, the applicant needs their unique client identifier (UCI) and application number.

If the Application Is Approved

Once the application is approved, the study permit will be issued either:

  • At the port of entry when the applicant arrives in Canada.
  • Mailed to the applicant if they are already in Canada.

For Applicants Outside Canada
An applicant will receive a port of entry letter of introduction that confirms they are allowed to study in Canada. This letter is not the study permit.

  • The applicant must present this letter to a border services officer when arriving in Canada.
  • An electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visitor visa (temporary resident visa) will be issued if required.
    • If the applicant is from a country requiring an eTA, the letter will provide details. The eTA is valid for 5 years or until the passport expires.
    • If a visitor visa is required, it will be attached to the applicant’s passport, and the visa will specify whether entry is allowed once or multiple times. The applicant must enter Canada before the visa expires.

 

For Lawful Permanent Residents of the U.S.
Applicants who are U.S. permanent residents must travel with a valid green card (or equivalent) and a valid passport from their country of nationality.

For Applicants Inside Canada
The next steps depend on how the application was made.

  • If eligible to apply from within Canada, the applicant would have submitted an application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student (IMM 5709). In this case, the study permit will be mailed to the provided Canadian address.
  • If the mailing address changes before a decision is made, the applicant must update the address.

 

Studying While Waiting for the Study Permit
Applicants will receive a letter of approval in their online account once the study permit is approved. They can begin studying as soon as this letter is received, even before receiving the actual permit in the mail.

If the Application Was Submitted to the Wrong Location

  • Applicants who applied for a study permit from within Canada but followed instructions meant for outside Canada applicants may face delays.
  • New rules prevent most applicants already in Canada from applying for a study permit at a port of entry. Applicants must apply online.
  • If applicants in Canada leave as students on maintained status, they lose their ability to study upon return until their application is approved.

 

Co-op Work Permits
If a co-op work permit was requested alongside the study permit, and only the study permit was granted, the applicant must follow separate instructions to apply as a co-op student or intern.

If the Application Is Refused

Applicants will receive a letter explaining the reasons for refusal.
Applications may be refused for reasons such as:

  • Lack of a valid letter of acceptance.
  • Failure to prove sufficient funds to support themselves.
  • Failure to pass the medical exam (if required).
  • Inability to convince the visa officer that the primary purpose is to study.
  • Inability to prove that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of their studies.
As a licensed Canadian corporation, Scope Immigration Services operates under the authority of the CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants), ensuring full compliance with national standards.
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