Find out if you need a study permit
Answer a few questions to find out if you need a study permit.
On this page
To find out what you need to study in Canada, select the situation that best describes you and your study program.
- You’re studying for 6 months or less
- You’re studying for more than 6 months
- You’re a minor child or applying for a minor child
- You’re a member of a foreign armed force or have Registered Indian status in Canada
- You’re family or staff member of a foreign representative in Canada
- You’re already in Canada on a work permit and want to stay to study
- You want to extend your study permit
- You may be eligible to study without a study permit
You’re studying for 6 months or less
You don’t need a study permit. You can apply to study at the school of your choice without a study permit if:
- your studies aren’t part of a longer study program and
- you’ll complete your studies within the amount of time we approve you to stay in Canada
- This is usually 6 months after you enter
However, you may want to get a study permit, even if you don’t need one.
Your study permit isn’t a visa
If we approve your study permit application, we’ll also automatically give you either a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your passport or travel document. This is what allows you to enter Canada.
You’re studying in Québec
You must also apply for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
Citizens of the USA
You don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. However, you must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.
Permanent residents of the USA
If you’re entering Canada by air, you need an eTA. Otherwise, you don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. Regardless of how you travel to Canada, carry valid proof of U.S. lawful permanent residence status, such as a valid Green Card.
You’re studying for more than 6 months
You need a study permit. You should apply for your permit before you travel to Canada to study.
To apply for a study permit, you need:
- a valid passport or travel document
- an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada
- proof that you have enough money to pay for your
- tuition fees
- living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
- return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
Learn more about what you need to study in Canada.
Your study permit isn’t a visa
If we approve your study permit application, we’ll also automatically give you either a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your passport or travel document. This is what allows you to enter Canada.
If you’re studying in Quebec
You must also apply for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
Apply for your study permitCitizens of the USA
You don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. However, you must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.
Permanent residents of the USA
If you’re entering Canada by air, you need an eTA. Otherwise, you don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. Regardless of how you travel to Canada, carry valid proof of U.S. lawful permanent residence status, such as a valid Green Card.
You’re a minor child or applying for a minor child
Minor children need a study permit if:
- they’re applying from outside of Canada and
- they’ll be studying for more than 6 months
This includes minor children who come to Canada with parents who got their study or work permit approved before coming to Canada.
When minor children reach the age of majority (18 or 19 years old, depending on the province or territory), they must apply for a study permit if they want to keep studying.
Minor children need a valid passport or travel document to come to Canada.
Learn more about what you need to study in Canada.
Their study permit isn’t a visa
If we approve their study permit application, we’ll also automatically give them either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on their passport or travel document. This is what allows them to enter Canada.
Citizens of the USA
You don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. However, you must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.
Permanent residents of the USA
If you’re entering Canada by air, you need an eTA. Otherwise, you don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. Regardless of how you travel to Canada, carry valid proof of U.S. lawful permanent residence status, such as a valid Green Card.
If the minor child is coming to Canada alone
They must also have:
- a signed custodianship declaration
- a letter of acceptance from the school they’re attending
- proof that they have enough money to pay for their:
- living expenses and
- return transportation
If they’re studying in Quebec
They must also apply for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
Apply for a study permitWhen minor children don’t need a study permit
Minor children don’t need a study permit if any of the following are true:
- they’re studying for 6 months or less
- they’re going to kindergarten
- they or their parents are refugees or refugee claimants
Minors also don’t need a study permit if:
- they’re already in Canada with a parent who has a work or study permit, and they want to go to preschool, primary or secondary school or
- neither of their parents are present in Canada
However, they should still get a study permit. With a study permit, minors can:
- remain in school when they’re no longer a minor
- get a secondary school co-op work permit
- have access to social services in some provinces or territories
Minors who don’t have a study permit must have valid visitor status during their stay in Canada. This means they must have an unexpired visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
When minor children reach the age of majority (18 or 19 years old, depending on the province or territory), they must apply for a study permit if they want to keep studying. This is why we encourage you to get a study permit for a minor, even if they don’t need one right away.
Apply for a study permitYou’re a member of a foreign armed force or have Registered Indian status in Canada
If you’re a member of a foreign armed force of a country that’s a designated state, or you have Registered Indian status in Canada, you don’t need a study permit. You can apply to study at the school of your choice.
However, you may want to get a study permit, even if you don’t need one.
A study permit isn’t a visa
Even though you don’t need a study permit, you still need a valid passport or travel document. Depending on your travel document, you also need either:
Having one of these allows you to enter Canada.
Find out if you need a visaCitizens of the USA
You don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. However, you must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.
Permanent residents of the USA
If you’re entering Canada by air, you need an eTA. Otherwise, you don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. Regardless of how you travel to Canada, carry valid proof of U.S. lawful permanent residence status, such as a valid Green Card.
You’re a family or staff member of a foreign representative in Canada
You don’t need a study permit if you’re:
- a staff member of a foreign representative or
- the family member of someone who is one
and
- you or they are accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
If you or they aren’t accredited, you do need a study permit.
Your embassy should contact GAC to find out if you or they are accredited.
Contact GACA study permit isn’t a visa
Even though you don’t need a study permit, you still need a valid passport or travel document. Depending on your travel document, you also need either:
Having one of these allows you to enter Canada.
Find out if you need a visaCitizens of the USA
You don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. However, you must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.
Permanent residents of the USA
If you’re entering Canada by air, you need an eTA. Otherwise, you don’t need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. Regardless of how you travel to Canada, carry valid proof of U.S. lawful permanent residence status, such as a valid Green Card.
You’re already in Canada on a work permit and want to stay to study
If you’re already in Canada on a work permit and you want to start studying, follow the steps for extending a study permit.
If you’re studying in Quebec
You must also apply for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
Apply to extend your stay in CanadaYou want to extend your study permit
You have 90 days after you complete your studies to extend your study permit.
You should apply to extend it at least 30 days before it expires. You may want to extend it earlier than this if you know you’ll continue studying in Canada.
Learn more about when to extend your study permit.
If you’re studying in Quebec
You must also apply for a new Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
Apply to extend your stay in CanadaYou’re a worker may be eligible to study without a study permit
To be eligible to study without a study permit, you must be authorized to work in Canada. You must hold one of the following documents:
- a valid work permit that was issued on or before June 7, 2023
- a letter authorizing you to work while we process your work permit extension application
- The letter must have been issued on or before June 7, 2023.
If you apply for a work permit after June 7, 2023, you’re not eligible for these measures.
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