Student Permits

Foreign students who have applied for and been accepted into a Designated educational institution may apply for a Canada Student Visa in order to come to Canada and complete the specific program for which they have been accepted. You must have received an acceptance letter from the designated institution which you plan to attend before you submit your application for a Canada student visa. Additionally, you must meet the following requirements for a Canada student visa:

• You must be able to prove that you have enough money to pay for your: tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family members who accompany you, return transportation for you and any family members who accompany you.
• You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record.
• You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
• You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when you have completed your studies.

As of June 1st, 2014, you may work off or on campus without a work permit.  You may work for up to 20 hours per week and up to full-time immediately after beginning your study program.  If you wish to work for an employer off-campus or participate in a Co-op or Internship program, you must first apply for and be granted a work permit.

For detailed information regarding employment while studying in Canada, click here or call us to discuss your options to Work and Study in Canada.

Once you have graduated from an eligible program at a Canadian post-secondary institution, you may qualify to apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program. This program offers graduates a three-year open work permit which will allow you to earn valuable work experience. You do not need to have a job offer to get an open work permit.

Additionally, Canada allows foreign students who have completed their studies in Canada and have gained a certain amount of work experience within Canada to apply for immigration to Canada under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). For more information about the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program and/or the Canadian Experience Class, contact our office to speak with a certified immigration consultant.

Yes. You may bring your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children. Your spouse or common-law partner will receive an open work permit for the duration of your studies. The open work permit will allow your spouse or partner to work for any employer within Canada.

Unfortunately, the government of Canada does not pay for the medical costs of foreign students. Health insurance is a provincial jurisdiction and varies among provinces. We recommend you contact the school to receive more information regarding the health insurance packages they offer.

The processing times for a Canada Student Visa will vary depending on where you are applying from. Within Canada applications typically take between one (1) to two (2) months but each country outside of Canada has a visa office responsible for processing applications so the process may take longer from your country. You should apply for your Canada Student Visa immediately upon receiving your acceptance letter from the school that you are planning to attend in order to prevent delays. You may want to speak to a certified immigration consultant to find out more about Canada Student Visa application processing times from your current country of residence. If you have already received an acceptance letter and have not yet begun the process of your application for a Canada Student Visa, you should call our office as soon as possible to file your application.