Upcoming changes to temporary residence programs Changes have been announced for some of our temporary residence programs. Read more about the upcoming changes.
Generally, you must apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. Some people can apply for a study permit from within Canada. In some cases, you can apply when you arrive in Canada at the port of entry. Make sure you understand which option is available to you.
If you’re applying for a study permit, you must apply online, whether you’re outside of Canada or already in Canada.
You’re only eligible to apply on paper if you
You may not be able to apply for your study permit online. For example, if you currently have visitor status in Canada and your spouse or common-law partner is a NOC C or D worker, you may need to submit your application on paper.
We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.
If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.
Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.
If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you probably need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years to make repeat trips to Canada easier.
After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.
If we need more information from you, we’ll contact you.
When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you’re approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.
If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.
Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes travel documents like a visitor visa, study or work permits or an eTA (electronically linked to your passport).
Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.
Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.
When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.
If we can’t verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.
If the officer determines that you’re not admissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you’ll have to take a return flight to where you came from.
If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.
Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.
You must meet some basic requirements to enter Canada. You must:
Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:
You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.
Venezuelan passport holders
If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed
If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:
Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.
Answer a few questions to get the next steps for your situation.
You need to enable Javascript to be able to use the tool.
If you’re a legal resident in certain countries, you may be able to get your study permit faster by applying online through the Student Direct Stream.
To apply online, you’ll need:
To make sure you have everything you need to apply, get your local visa office instructions by selecting the country or territory from which you’ll be applying.
Select a country/territory
Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.
In most cases, your fees will include:
We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
You won’t pay these fees in your online account. You’ll pay them directly to the third party.
In most cases, you should pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
We’re testing a new online study permit application. It’s now available for some applicants.
banner end -->If you need an eTA or visa
If you need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visa, we’ll issue it automatically at the same time as your study permit. You don’t need to apply separately or pay another fee.
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:
If you’re a legal resident in certain countries, you may be able to get your study permit faster by applying online through the Student Direct Stream.
To apply online, you’ll need:
To make sure you have everything you need to apply, get your local visa office instructions by selecting the country or territory from which you’ll be applying.
Select a country/territory
Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.
In most cases, your fees will include:
We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
You won’t pay these fees in your online account. You’ll pay them directly to the third party.
In most cases, you should pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
We’re testing a new online study permit application. It’s now available for some applicants.
banner end -->If you need an eTA or visa
If you need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visa, we’ll issue it automatically at the same time as your study permit. You don’t need to apply separately or pay another fee.
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:
If you’re a legal resident of certain countries, you may be able to get your study permit faster by applying online through the Student Direct Stream.
Who’s eligible to apply on paper
You’re eligible to apply on paper only if you
To apply online, you’ll need:
Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.
In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.
We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:
You can submit a paper application if either:
Even though you’re physically in Canada, you must follow the instructions for applying for a study permit from outside Canada.
In our online tools, choose your country of citizenship when you’re asked for your current country or territory of residence. This is to make sure you get the correct application forms.
When you fill out the PDF forms, your answers must be accurate, since they’re now part of your application. If you’re in Canada, use your Canadian address.
How to apply for a study permit
Scroll back up this page and select “Outside Canada” to find out how to apply.
If you want to continue studying in Canada, but your study permit has expired, you need to restore your status as a student and apply for a new study permit.
On the application form, select both
Find out if you’re eligible and how to restore your student status.
Tell the officer that you want a study permit. The officer will check
If you’re eligible for a study permit, the officer will issue one to you. If you’re not eligible, the officer will refuse your study permit. If your permit is refused, you may still be able to enter Canada as a visitor.
You can’t apply for a study permit at a port of entry. You need to apply from outside Canada.
Select “Outside Canada” to find out how you can apply for a study permit.
As a Ukrainian national or a family member of a Ukrainian national, you can apply for a study permit in Canada.
Credit cards and prepaid cards
We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:
If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier.
We also accept all Visa Debit cards.
The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.
We also accept all Visa Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC ® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.
The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.