Current regulations |
New regulations, as of June 1, 2014 |
Applicants must show that they intend to pursue studies in Canada when applying for a study permit. |
Applicants must enrol in and continue to pursue studies in Canada. Failure to do so could lead to removal from Canada. |
Applicants may apply for a study permit to pursue studies at any educational institution in Canada. |
Study permits will only be issued to successful applicants who are pursuing studies at an educational institution that has been designated to receive international students. |
Study permit holders pursuing studies at publicly-funded and certain privately-funded post-secondary institutions must apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit to be able to work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during the academic session and full-time during scheduled breaks. |
Study permits will automatically authorize the holder to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic session and full-time during scheduled breaks without the need to apply for a separate work permit. The study permit holder must be pursuing academic, vocational or professional training of six months or more that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate at a designated institution. |
Any international student can apply for a Co-Op Work Permit if a co-op placement is an integral element of their course of study. |
Only international students who are pursuing studies at a secondary school or at a designated institution may apply for a Co-Op Work Permit if a co-op placement is an integral part of their course of study. |
Visitors may not apply for a study permit from within Canada |
Visitors may apply for a study permit from within Canada if they are at the pre-school, primary or secondary level, are on an academic exchange or a visiting student at a designated learning institution, or have completed a course or program of study that is a condition for acceptance at a designated learning institution. |
International students who have completed their studies but hold valid study permits can remain legally in Canada until the expiration of their study permit. |
A study permit becomes invalid 90 days following the completion of studies unless the foreign national also possesses a valid work permit or another authorization to remain in Canada. |
There are no references in existing regulations that clearly state that Registered Indians who are also foreign nationals are exempt from the requirement to obtain a study permit. |
Registered Indians who are also foreign nationals may study in Canada without a study permit as they have the right of entry into Canada. |
Study permit holders are not authorized to work after the completion of their studies while awaiting approval of their Post-Graduation Work Permit |
Eligible international graduates will be authorized to work full-time after their studies are completed until a decision is made on their application for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. |
Additional information
• Education is the responsibility of the provinces and territories. The educational institutions that will be designated will be determined by provincial and territorial governments in coming months.
• International students enrolling in courses in Canada that will last six months or less do not need a study permit. This is not changing. Students from countries whose citizens require a visitor visa will still need a valid visitor visa.
• Study permit holders who are studying at a non-designated institution when the new regulations come into effect will be permitted to complete their program of study, up to a maximum of three years after the regulations take effect.
• International students who are studying at a non-designated institution and hold either an Off-Campus Work Permit or a Co-Op Work Permit will be permitted to continue to use, and renew if necessary, those work permits until they complete their program of study, up to a maximum of three years after the regulations take effect.
• Additional operational measures to support transitional regulations will be announced closer to June 1, 2014, when the new rules take effect.