Students

International students generally need to obtain a study permit in order to pursue an education in Canada (some exceptions apply). A student visa is usually issued for applicants from non-visa exempt countries upon application for a study authorization at the visa office outside of Canada.

 

To be eligible to apply for a study permit, a student needs:

 

1. Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada
2. Sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses
3. Be in good health and have no criminal background
4. Satisfy a visa officer that he/she will leave Canada upon expiry of a study permit

Work opportunities for international students:

 

• Working on campus
• Working part-time off-campus
• Post-Graduation Work Permit
• Co-op and Internship Programs

A study permit authorizes an international student to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time (unlimited number of hours) during scheduled study breaks if a student is:

 

• actively pursuing full-time studies at a designated learning institution
• enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training (excluding English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) program and pre-requisite courses to be accepted into a full-time program)
• has a study permit that is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate

Minor children don’t need a study permit if:

 

• they are in kindergarten
• they are or their parents are refugees or refugee claimants or
• they attend pre-school, primary or secondary school, and they are already in Canada with a parent who has a valid work or study permit

Whether you are only at the stage of considering studying in Canada or you are in the middle of your studies and you would like o change your school, whether you would like your spouse or partner to join you and be able to work or study in Canada as well, or you may be a recent graduate who needs to apply for a PGWP, contact us for assistance with:

 

• Obtaining an initial study permit
• Extension of your stay as a student
• Change of terms and conditions on your study permit
• Restoration of status in case your study permit expired or application for extension of status was refused
• Work or study authorization for your spouse or common-law partner (Spousal Open Work Permit)
• Post-Graduation Work Permit
• Applying for permanent residence