STUDY IN CANADA

CANADA STUDY PERMIT — DO YOU NEED ONE?

Most foreign nationals studying in Canada for more than six months must hold a valid Canadian study permit. If your program is shorter than six months and you are a visitor (or eligible for visa-free entry), you may be able to study without a permit — but planning ahead for a longer program or future permit is essential. Applying for your study permit early is strongly recommended, as processing times vary significantly by country and season.

To apply for a study permit, you must have:

• A letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and return travel
• A valid passport and photographs
• A completed application form and any applicable biometrics
• Additional documents depending on your country (police certificates, medical exams)

DESIGNATED LEARNING INSTITUTIONS — CHECK BEFORE YOU COMMIT

Check that your school is on the DLI list before you pay your deposit. This is not a minor detail: attending a non-DLI institution means you cannot get a study permit at all, and it eliminates your PGWP eligibility. The DLI list includes:

• Public universities (University of Toronto, McGill, UBC, and hundreds more)
• Public colleges and polytechnics (Humber College, Seneca College, BCIT, etc.)
• Private career colleges accredited by provincial regulatory bodies
• Elementary and secondary schools (public and private)
• Language schools and flight schools (where eligible)

DLI status alone is not enough for PGWP eligibility. Your program must also be post-secondary, at least eight months long, and completed full-time for the majority of your enrollment. VisaScope verifies your program's PGWP eligibility before you apply — not after you graduate.

WORKING IN CANADA AS A STUDENT

International students at eligible post-secondary DLIs may work in Canada during their studies under the following conditions:

• On-campus: Work for any employer physically located on campus where you are registered as a full-time student — no additional work permit required
• Off-campus: Work up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks (holidays and summer), provided your study permit explicitly authorizes off-campus work. As of November 2024, IRCC has updated off-campus work limits — confirm current rules with your consultant.
• Co-op and internship: Mandatory co-op or internship components of your academic program require a co-op work permit as a complement to your study permit.

THE POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT — YOUR BRIDGE TO PR

The PGWP is the most direct route from international student to Canadian permanent resident — and it is unique to Canada. After graduating from an eligible DLI, you receive an open work permit valid for up to three years (for programs of two years or longer). No employer required. Work anywhere in Canada, for any employer, in any field. One year of skilled work experience on a PGWP (in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation) qualifies you for Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class. That is your PR application.

The math is straightforward: two-year program plus three-year PGWP plus one year of CEC-eligible work equals a clear PR pathway inside five years of arrival. VisaScope maps that pathway for every student client at intake — so you choose your program and institution knowing exactly where it leads.

BRINGING YOUR FAMILY TO CANADA

If you are a full-time international student at a post-secondary DLI in Canada, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for a spousal open work permit — allowing them to work for any Canadian employer during your studies. Your dependent children can attend elementary and secondary school in Canada without a study permit in most provinces. Planning family permits alongside your own is more efficient and avoids separate application timelines. VisaScope assists entire family units, ensuring everyone's status is properly maintained from arrival onward.