Study Visa to Canada

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Study Visa to Canada

When a study permit is required

Foreign nationals are required to obtain a study permit for engaging in academic, professional, vocational or other education or training that is more than six months in duration at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.

The following activities are not considered studies for the purposes of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act(IRPA) and do not require a study permit:

pre-school (pre-kindergarten);
courses of general interest or self-improvement;
distance learning; and
audited courses (typically by sitting in on an academic course, but without obtaining credit for it, or having the ability to obtain credit for it retroactively).

The following documents must be provided with a study permit application for both new applications and renewals:

Application for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada form [IMM 1294] (overseas) or Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student form [IMM 5709] (inland);
Family Information form [IMM 5645], if applicable;
Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada form [IMM 5257], if applicable;
Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union form [IMM 5409], if applicable;
Custodianship Declaration form [IMM 5646], for applicants who are minors;
Use of a Representative form [IMM 5476], if applicable;
Letter of acceptance (outside of Canada), or letter of enrolment or transcript (renewals) from a designated learning institution (DLI);
Proof of financial support;
Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) or letter of approval from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI) for a CAQ for applicants destined to Quebec;
Application processing fee payment, and if applicable, biometric process fee payment;
Proof of identity:

original valid passport, or
photocopy of the information/biodata page of the applicant’s passport;

Two recent passport-sized photographs (applicant’s name and date of birth should be written on the back of the photos); and
Proof of completion of upfront medical examination from the panel physician (optional).