Steps to Study in Alberta - Step 3: Study Permit

The following is information about the study permit application process, which is the responsibility of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). CIC should always be consulted for information about study permits and the application process.

Response times can vary, depending on the time of year and the number of applications being processed.  For these reasons, it is important to apply for your permit well in advance of when you would like to begin your studies in Alberta.  Please be patient!

Please see the Student Visa Requirements feature to learn more about obtaining your student visa.

Most international students need a study permit to study in Canada. You should apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from the Alberta post-secondary institution.

• Short-term programs of six months or less do not require a study permit.
  
  
• A study permit allows full-time, international student to work part-time on campus, and if a student decides to continue studying in Canada, they can renew their permit from within Canada.

Determine if you require a Temporary Resident Visa.  If you are from any of these countries you will have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa. You must apply through the visa office located in the nearest  Canadian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy. If you need a Temporary Resident Visa in addition to your study permit, you do not have to make a separate application or pay a separate fee. An officer will issue it at the same time as the documentation that you will need to enter Canada as a student.

Obtain an application guide and form. These can be obtained from the visa office located in the nearest Canadian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy or they can be downloaded from the CIC's website Studying in Canada.

Gather all the documents you need to apply. You will need, at the very least, your letter of acceptance from your Alberta institution, proof of your identity in the form of a passport, and proof of financial support such as a bank draft or scholarship documentation. On top of your tuition and other academic fees, you will need the equivalent of at least $10,000 Canadian dollars per year. For a more detailed description of documents required and the application process, please contact the nearest Canadian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy, or consult CIC's website Documents Needed to Apply for a Study Permit.

Complete the study permit application. Follow the instruction guide, ensuring that all forms are carefully and legibly completed. You might want to consider typing or using black ink. If you require assistance or have any questions, contact the nearest Canadian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy, or consult CIC's website Studying in Canada. Prior to submitting your application, contact the visa office to see if you need to fill out any additional forms or provide any additional documents. You will also be required to pay a fee. For information on fees, contact the nearest Canadian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy, Or see CIC's website for Fee Schedule for Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Submit your application and fee payment. When you are sure that you have filled out all the proper forms, gathered the required documentation, and have calculated the fees, submit your application and fee payment to a visa office at the nearest High Commission, Consulate or Embassy (see Helpful links below).

Wait for your response from CIC. When you apply for a study permit, there are no guarantees that you will be accepted. Do not proceed with airline reservations or accommodation arrangements until you receive confirmation from CIC that a study permit has been granted. Response times can vary, depending on the time of year and the number of applications being processed, please be patient. For these reasons, it is important to apply for your permit well in advance of when you would like to begin your studies in Alberta.

Your permit will state:

• How long you can stay in Canada
• Where you can study
• At what level you can study
• Your program of study
• The date by which you must leave Canada
• If you need to report for medical examination or observation
• If you need to report to provide evidence of compliance for certain conditions
• If you are permitted to work on-campus at your institution

If you wish to change any of the terms and conditions on your study permit, you must submit an Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada.

In order to return to Canada, you must be in possession of:

• A valid passport or travel document
  
  
• A valid Study Permit if you are returning to study in Canada
  
  
• A valid Temporary Resident Visa, if you are a citizen of one of the countries that require it. If your Temporary Resident Visa has expired, or was for single-entry only, you will have to submit a completed temporary resident visa application to a Canadian embassy, High Commission, or Consulate abroad in order to re-enter Canada.

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Studying in Canada
  Find information about the study permit application process.
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Application to Study in Canada
  Study permits. Obtain an application guide and form to study in Canada.
• Canadian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy Offices
  Canadian office locations for information about study permits.