For all international students coming to study in Canada, the most common authorization is the official Study Permit. After completing academic studies in Canada, eligible graduates can apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit to live and work nationwide. Alternatively, short-term or temporary visitor visas may better suit your educational experience.

The Canadian Study Permit officially allows you to study the following academic types:

• university degrees

• college diplomas and vocational training programs

• academic pathways

• English or French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL)

• primary and secondary school

• approved international exchange programs

• postgraduate research

• visiting semesters (such as Study Abroad programs), and

• international students sponsored by the Canadian government through Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

The total off-campus work hours allowed during study terms and academic semesters is capped at 24 hours per week. If you fail to comply with this strict condition, your study permit may be cancelled.

Students working strictly on campus or those who are currently on scheduled academic breaks face no hours limit.

Review the exact conditions printed directly on your physical Canadian study permit to verify your work eligibility.

You can apply to study two or more programs on your official Canadian study permit where there is clear progression from one degree to another. This is known as program packaging.

You will need a formal Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for each program you plan to take. The final degree that you will undertake as part of your package will be your main (or ‘principal’) program choice.

For your permit application, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will explicitly use your main program of study to calculate what:

• evidence of finances you need to provide

• language proficiency skills are required.

If your permit application includes a package of programs, scheduled gaps must remain under one hundred fifty days. This duration can be longer (four to five months) if:

• the first program finishes at the end of the Canadian academic year (April), and

• the following program starts at the beginning of the next academic year (September).

Under recent Canadian regulations, holders of certain documents, including Visitor Records, temporary visas, and electronic travel authorizations, can no longer apply for Study Permits within Canada.

To be eligible for a Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) you must:

• Be strictly eighteen years of age or older at the time of application. Exceptions apply.

• Have held a valid Canadian Study Permit in the last six months.

• Provide evidence you have submitted your biometrics fee when you officially apply.

• Provide evidence of the required level of English language with the application.

This permit pathway is for Temporary Residents holding a Post-Graduation Work, Spousal Work or Replacement permit with a degree from an eligible Canadian institution located in a regional province.
You must officially be precisely eighteen years of age or older when applying. If you hold a provincial nomination or specific regional endorsement certificate or are strictly using a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree to meet the regional Canadian immigration requirement, you must be currently employed when you formally apply.
You can stay between 1 and 2 years depending on:

• the provincial location of the designated institution that you graduated from that led to the grant of your first Post-Graduation Work permit

• the provincial area that you reside in as the holder of your Post-Graduation Work permit in the Extended Work, Provincial Nominee or Replacement bridging pathway.

The credential you use to meet the Canadian study requirement determines the category you can apply for.

• If you hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, you should apply for the College and Non-Degree Work pathway. The qualification you use must be closely related to a prioritized occupation on the Classification of Instructional Programs list (CIP).

• If your qualification is degree level or higher, you should apply for the University Degree Work pathway.

A Canadian Visitor visa allows you to study for a maximum of six months. This permit can be used by visitors wishing to take a short-term English or French Second Language program (ESL/FSL).
To be eligible for this document you must:

• meet medical and legal requirements, and

• provide proof that you have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.

With this permit, you can participate in occupational training activities to improve your skills for your:

• current job,

• area of academic study or field of expertise,

• or in a professional development training program in Canada.
  For more information on this permit, directly visit the official Canadian IRCC website.

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program has three main permit options: the standard Working Holiday permit, the Young Professionals, and the International Co-op categories.
Permit holders may work and undertake short-term study (up to six months), such as English language studies, during their stay in Canada.
To be eligible you must:

• hold a valid passport from an eligible country

• be aged 18 to 30 or 35 years old (depending on your passport country) at the time of permit application

• not be accompanied by dependent children

• meet medical and background requirements, and

• have sufficient funds for airfares and to support your stay in Canada.
  Read more about the International Experience Canada program at the official Canadian IRCC government website.

• Explore your permit options for studying in Canada at the official federal IRCC government website.

• If you need professional immigration assistance with your permit application, check the CICC registry to find a regulated immigration consultant or find out more about who can provide legal assistance.