Study Permit
Study Permit in Canada
A Study Permit is a document provided to an applicant as an authorization to enrol in a learning institution in Canada to obtain a professional, vocational, or similar education and training in Canada.
Application Process:
- Apply and receive an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Apply for a Study Permit
- Timelines from application for approval of a Study Permit
- Points to consider while applying for a Study Permit.
Apply and receive an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Always check if the learning institution is approved as a DLI, before starting the Study Permit application process.
- Then check the study program which is eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Further, try to apply for a study program for at least 2 years.
- Remember, a 2-year duration study program allows to apply for 3-year PGWP, whereas any program shorter than 2 years only provides PGWP for 1 year.
- Please note that a study program which is less than 8 months is not eligible for a 1-year PGWP.
- After obtaining the letter of acceptance from the DLI, application for Study Permit can be made with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Important: IRCC has provided with the guidelines on the contents of a letter of acceptance from a DLI.
Apply for a Study Permit
- Before starting the Study Permit application, the applicant should determine if he is applying from outside Canada or from inside Canada.
- Next step would be to check the country specific Visa Office instructions, application package, and Document checklist.
- Thoroughly go through all the application forms, fill them and collect all the supporting documents to submit with the application package.
- Supporting documents to be submitted with the Study Permit Application are provided (HYPERLINK)
- Proof of acceptance by the DLI;
- Identity proof;
- Proof of funds for financial support;
- Letter of explanation or Statement of Purpose (SOP), stating the study plan, reasons to choose the particular DLI, study course, future career plans after studies, assurance to leave Canada after completion of the study program.
- All the documents mentioned in the country specific document checklist.
Timeline for approval of Study Permit
- Timeline for approval of Study Permits are country and Visa Office specific. Please check the IRCC processing times from PROVIDE THE HYPERLINK.
- Start the Study Permit application immediately after receiving the letter of acceptance from the DLI.
- If the Study Permit application approval is delayed, the intake session has to be deferred to next intake period. Applicants should check the policy of DLI in this regard, before applying for the letter of acceptance.
- Generally, a DLI has multiple intakes in a year:
- Spring/Summer – May
- Fall – September
- Winter – January
Points to consider while applying for a Study Permit
Start the process by conducting diligent research about the DLI, and study program. This research will help for preparing the SOP or letter of intent. An applicant should have a basic knowledge about the application process, such as, knowledge about DLIs, study programs they offer, country and Visa Office specific application package. An applicant must be aware of the common refusal reasons for Study Permits.
- Insufficient funds
- Misrepresentation
- Low language skills score
- Less ties to home country
- Failure to demonstrate return to home country after completion of study program
- Low grades or marks in the previous study program
- Previous refusal of Study permit of TRV application
- Long and unexplained gap between the proposed and previous study program
IMPORTANT: If you have previous refusals in Study Permit or TRV application, contacting an immigration lawyer for preparing the new application can significantly increase your chances for approval. You can also explore the options of Reconsideration or Judicial review.