First decide whether a study permit is legally required.
| Situation | Permit rule | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Program longer than 6 months | A study permit is normally required before travel | You need a valid passport, DLI acceptance, sufficient funds and admissibility; Québec normally also requires a CAQ |
| Program 6 months or less | Usually exempt if it is not part of a longer program and finishes within the authorized stay | A permit can still be useful for continuing studies and access to student work rules; entry still requires the correct visa/eTA |
| Minor applying from outside Canada for more than 6 months | A study permit is normally required | An unaccompanied minor also needs custodianship, school acceptance and financial evidence |
| Minor already in Canada | Kindergarten; certain preschool/K–12 cases with a parent holding a work/study permit; refugee/refugee-claimant children; and some children without a parent in Canada may study without a permit | The child still needs valid temporary status and should usually obtain a permit before reaching the provincial age of majority |
| Other statutory or temporary exemptions | Registered Indians, certain Visiting Forces members, accredited foreign-representative staff/family, qualifying older work-permit holders and eligible construction apprentices | Every exemption has exact conditions and does not itself create entry, work or post-graduation rights |
Verify the exact program and future goal before paying tuition.
- 01
Match the institution name, campus, DLI number, credential and program start/end dates to the letter of acceptance.
- 02
Read the deposit and refund terms for visa refusal, withdrawal, deferral and program cancellation; keep every receipt and written representation.
- 03
Check whether the credential is recognized for the intended regulated profession, trade, graduate admission or career outcome.
- 04
For PGWP planning, verify the exact program—not only the school—and document the DLI-list result on the day of payment.
- 05
For a non-degree program, identify its CIP code and whether the applicant’s study-permit filing date triggers the eligible field-of-study rule.
- 06
In Québec, confirm the CAQ, financial-capacity and attestation process before the federal application.
A complete study-permit file connects eligibility, study logic and evidence.
Letter of acceptance
Use a valid LOA from the exact DLI/campus and respect school-verification instructions. Admission alone does not establish immigration eligibility.
PAL/TAL or exemption
Most applicants need a valid provincial/territorial attestation. Important exemptions include preschool/K–12 and, since January 1, 2026, degree-granting master’s and doctoral study at a public DLI.
Québec CAQ
Most Québec students need the provincial CAQ/attestation before the federal filing; the study-permit and CAQ dates and program must align.
Funds
Show first-year tuition, current IRCC living costs for every accompanying family member, travel and a credible source/continuation plan. Explain loans, sponsors and recent deposits.
Study plan
Explain academic progression, why this program/school/Canada, career value, gaps, prior education, language readiness, finances and temporary compliance.
Admissibility
Identity, immigration history, prior refusals, criminality, medical requirements, family information and translations must be complete and consistent.
Apply online with the correct location and family strategy.
- 01
Study-permit applications are normally online. Paper is limited to disability accommodation and specified refugee/stateless documents.
- 02
Upload LOA, valid PAL/TAL or exemption proof, CAQ where applicable, funds, identity, education, study plan and country-specific forms.
- 03
Complete biometrics and medical examination where required. Medical timing affects work authorization in designated occupations.
- 04
A spouse/partner or child submits their own visitor, work or study application and must meet the current family-member rules.
- 05
Do not assume a study permit can be requested at a port of entry; current IRCC instructions generally require the appropriate advance process.
Budget government fees and the real cost of the file.
Tuition deposits, PAL/TAL or CAQ costs, medicals, police certificates, translations, VAC/courier, insurance and travel are separate. Re-check the live fee list before filing.
| Item | Current federal fee (CAN$) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Study permit or extension | $150 per person | A family member’s visa, work or study application is separate |
| Restore student status and obtain a new study permit | $396.25 | $246.25 restoration plus $150 study permit; restoration is discretionary |
| Biometrics | $85 per person / eligible family maximum $170 | Only where required; validity and exemption rules apply |
Officers assess more than the admission letter.
- 01
Show sufficient and available funds without unexplained last-minute deposits.
- 02
Explain program logic, academic preparedness, language ability, career plan and why the cost makes sense.
- 03
Address home-country/family/economic ties and lawful dual intent; the applicant must leave if no further status is granted.
- 04
Disclose all refusals, immigration histories, relatives and representatives. A template plan that conflicts with evidence harms credibility.
- 05
On approval, review the port-of-entry letter and temporary resident visa/eTA. The actual study permit is issued on entry after examination.
Bringing family requires a separate plan for every person.
Spouse or partner
An open work permit is not automatic. Current rules focus on spouses/partners of students in qualifying master’s, doctoral and specified professional programs, plus limited policy categories.
Minor children
A child may need a study permit depending on age, location and the parent’s status. School-board admission, custody and funds remain separate.
Visitor family
A family member who is not eligible to work or study needs the correct visitor document and must maintain status independently.
Funds and purpose
Show credible tuition and living funds for the whole family and explain the study, work, care and return plan consistently.
Minors and accompanying families have separate files and risks.
- 01
Age of majority is 18 or 19 depending on the province/territory. Custodianship, parental consent, custody orders and school-board evidence depend on age and travel arrangement.
- 02
A study permit for one family member does not guarantee a spouse open work permit or a child’s visa/study permit.
- 03
Family applications should use consistent funds, purpose, custody, travel, accommodation and return plans.
- 04
Keep legal status for every person independently and plan the minor’s study permit before reaching the age of majority.
Maintain student status and keep a paper trail after arrival.
Enrolment and progress
Remain enrolled at the DLI named in the permit and actively pursue studies. Preserve enrolment letters, transcripts, attendance and authorized-leave records.
Authorized leave
A DLI-authorized leave is generally limited to 150 days for compliance purposes. On- and off-campus work is not allowed during an authorized leave.
Contact and permit conditions
Update the school and IRCC where required and obey work, medical, level, DLI and expiry conditions printed on the permit.
Stopping or finishing early
Stopping studies can end work authorization. The study permit normally becomes invalid 90 days after written program completion even if a later date is printed.
Travel document
A study permit is not a visa. Re-entry normally requires a valid passport plus TRV or eTA, and the final admission decision remains with CBSA.
Official sources & application
The practical answer is in this guide; use these links to verify live changes and apply officially.
Ghasedak explains the eligibility, evidence, process and important cautions in plain language. Because laws, forms, fees and filing methods can change, also check the live official instructions on the day you submit. This is general information, not individual legal advice.