Study Permit (including SDS)

A Study Permit enables international students to study at a school in Canada. Their family members can also apply for visas to accompany an international student to Canada. A spouse or partner may receive an open work permit, allowing them to work for any Canadian employer, and dependent children may receive a study permit to enroll at Canadian elementary and secondary schools.

We recommend students start applying to schools and for a Study Permit early, as it may take up to 6 months to get a school acceptance letter, and up to 4 months for the Canadian government to approve your visa. Most international students also arrive in Canada weeks before classes begin to adjust to a brand new environment.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)

• Prove you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation

• Obey the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate

• Are in good health and get a medical exam

• Prove that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires 

If your application is approved, you will be issued a visa to enter Canada in addition to your Study Permit.

Student Direct Stream (SDS)

This is a faster way to obtain a study permit for applicants from certain countries. SDS has additional requirements, in addition to the requirements of a regular study permit.

Additional requirements:

• be a legal resident living in one of the SDS countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Vietnam
• live outside of Canada when you apply
  
• have proof you have paid your tuition for your first year of study
• have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$20,635
• have a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration This is only if you’re planning to study in Quebec
• have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)
  
• have a language test result that shows any of the following:

1. CAEL: a minimum overall score of 60;
   
2. CELPIP General: a score that is equivalent to a CLB score of at least 7 for each ability;
3. IELTS Academic: a minimum overall score of at least 6;
4. IELTS General: a score that is equivalent to a CLB score of at least 7 for each ability;
5. TCF Canada: a score that is equivalent to a CLB score of at least 7 for each ability;
6. TCF Tout public: a minimum overall score of 400;
7. TEF Canada: a score that is equivalent to a CLB score of at least 7 for each ability;
8. TEF 5 épreuves : a minimum overall score of 400 (“Lexique/Structure” is not required for SDS);
9. TOEFL iBTL: a minimum overall score of at least 83;
10. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: a minimum overall score of 60. 

Depending on where you’re applying from, you may also need to provide other documents.

Even though getting a study permit is faster through SDS, we still recommend students to start applying for schools and study permits early, as it may take up to 6 months to get a school acceptance letter and around 1 month for the government to approve your SDS study permit application. Most international students also arrive weeks early to adjust to a brand new environment.

If Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approves your application, IRCC will issue you a visa to enter Canada in addition to your study permit. 

Check your eligibility now!

1. Use our free eligibility checker to quickly see if you are eligible for a Study Permit, or.

2. Start your application by creating an account. It is free and will check if you are eligible. With an account, you can schedule a call with one of our immigration experts.