Foreign students are persons who may obtain temporary resident status. A study permit is a written authorization issued to foreign nationals authorizing them to engage in studies in Canada.

Following categories are exempt from the Study Permit Requirement

• Minor children inside Canada
• Family members and members of the private staff of accredited foreign representatives
• Members of the armed forces of a country designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act
• Short-term courses

Eligibility Criteria
You can come to Canada to study if you:

• are enrolled at a DLI (Designated Learning Institution)
• prove you have enough money to pay for:
  – your tuition fees
  – living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
  – return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• have no criminal record and get a police certificate (if required)
• are in good health and get a medical exam (if required) and
• prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires

On-Campus Work
Full-time post-secondary students may work without a work permit on the campus of the university or college at which they are a full-time student. This authorization is valid for the period for which they hold a study permit at the institution and during which they are enrolled in full-time studies.

This regulation applies to students who are:

• engaged in full-time studies (regardless of the course or program of study at a university, community college, CÉGEP), publicly funded trade or technical school, or private institutions authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees)
• working at any number of jobs on-campus, as well as students working as research or teaching assistants at facilities off-campus in research related to their research grant. These facilities could include teaching hospitals, clinics, research institutes, etc., that have a formal association or affiliation with the learning institution.

Off-Campus Work
International students can work off campus without a permit, provided that they meet ALL of the following conditions:

• they hold a valid study permit
• they are full-time students enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)
• the program in which they are enrolled is a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program, or a vocational training program at the secondary level offered in Quebec
• the program of study is at least 6 months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
  Note: The eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) differ from off-campus work eligibility requirements.

Conditions for work – maximum working hours permitted
Students eligible to work off-campus can do the following:

• work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions once they have commenced their program of study
• work full time during regularly scheduled breaks between academic sessions regardless of their course load

Students may not work until they have commenced their program of study. They must actually commence studies in Canada at a DLI before being eligible to work off campus.

Co-Op Work Permit
Co-Op / Internship Work Permit is for foreign nationals who intend to perform work that is an essential part of a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program offered by a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. The work cannot form more than 50% of the total program of study.

Post-Grad Work Permit
The PGWPP allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in the national occupational code A, O or B that is gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class, within Express Entry.

Interested in applying for a Study Permit?