Canadian Study Permit - MS in Canada
The Canadian study permit allows students from other countries to study at the Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) in Canada. Most international students have to apply for a study permit to study in the maple country. This document is to be applied for, before you travel to Canada.

Typical Fee: CAN $150 (+ CAN $85 for Biometric Scanning) (as of January 2020)
Typical Time taken for the procedure: About 1-2 months
Before You Start
- Typical Time taken for the procedure: About 1-2 months
- You may need a Visitor Visa/electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
- You need to provide your biometrics for the Study Permit.
- It takes about 3 weeks for the study permit processing alone, but this does not include the duration of the biometrics, or the time taken for the permit application to pass between the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and the official authorities of the Canadian Study Permit.
- Check if your university is a part of the Designated Learning Institutions in this link.
- Being an Indian, you can get your study permit earlier by applying online at the Student Direct Stream.
Duration of Stay with The Study Permit
- A Canadian study permit is valid for the entire duration of the study program, plus an additional 90 days.
- The extra 90 days is for you to leave Canada or to apply for an extension of your stay.
- If your institution needs you to take any prerequisite courses before admission (after receiving the conditional letter), then your Canadian study permit is valid for the length of the prerequisite courses plus an additional year. Thus, you need to apply for an extension of the permit when you join the main course.
- If your course gets extended than the intended duration, then you need to apply for an extension.
- However, if you complete your course much before the expected time, then your Canadian study permit will expire 90 days thereafter, regardless of the date mentioned in the permit.
- You can go back home in between your studies, but the permit and Visa must be valid upon your return to Canada.
Documents required
You will need the below documents while applying for a Canadian Study Permit.
- PROOF OF ACCEPTANCE Your college/university must send you the letter of acceptance. Submit the original/electronic version of your letter with your application.
- PROOF OF IDENTITY This includes your current Passport and two recent photographs.
- PROOF OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT This can be proven with a student loan proof/bank statements of last 4 months/proof of paying accommodation and tuition fees/ proof of any scholarships. You must also keep CAN$10,000 at the Canadian bank account, which is proof that your expenses can be supported for at least a year in Canada.
- LETTER OF EXPLANATION This letter must explain your reasons to study in Canada, your future goals, and your understanding of responsibilities as a foreign student studying in Canada
- CERTIFICAT D’ACCEPTATION DU QUÉBEC This certificate, issued by the Gouvernement du Québec, is required if you want to study in the city of Quebec. Your college/university will guide you on applying for the certificate.
- Other documents as per your profile, which will be informed by the University/College.
Prerequisites of Online Application
- All scanned documents
- Scanned photographs
- Credit/Debit Card for payments
How to Apply - Online Application
- Have all your records and documents ready at hand before you start the application. Check the Document Checklist for any additional documents you may need.
- You need to complete all the application forms next. These may include:
- amily Information (IMM 5645/IMM 5707)
- Document Checklist (IMM 5483)
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409), if applicable
- Custodianship Declaration for Minors Studying in Canada (IMM 5646), if applicable
- Use of Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable
- Authority to release personal information to designated individual (IMM 5475), if applicable
- Prepare all the answers you need for the online tool.
- Create a new account on the Government of Canada website.
- Pay for the Study Permit Application and the Biometric Scan. The Study Permit costs about CAN$150, and the Biometrics Scanning amounts to CAN$85.
- Check all the information and forms and submit your application.
- If you need the eTA or the Visa, you need to inform at the same time. No additional costs will be charged.
- Go through the instruction Guide if you have any confusion regarding the application.
After you Apply
- Now that you have applied for the permit to study in Canada, you need to give your fingerprints and photographs.
- After submitting the permit application, you will receive a letter on how and where you need to give the biometrics.
- You will have to give the biometrics and have your photograph clicked in person within 30 days of the application.
- Being an Indian, you need the Immigration Medical Exam (IME), with the main medical office at New Delhi. Thus, there might be additional charges for this.
- There might also be a requirement for police certificates. This will be advised by the visa officials.
- You will also be called for an interview with their officials in any certified office and send additional information as well.
- Once the application gets an approval, you will get a letter of introduction, which is NOT your study permit. You need to show it to the officer when you enter Canada.
Get more important information on their official website.
