A certain number of Designated Learning Institutions are reopening to international students
Designated Learning Institutions DLI with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their province or territory are able to reopen to foreign students who are currently outside Canada.
Check out the list of DLIs with qualified COVID-19 readiness plans.
If you plan to travel to Canada as a foreign student after October 20, 2020:
- Your DLI must be on the list schools with approved COVID-19 readiness plans before you travel to Canada.
- You must have an eligible study permit, or have been approved for a study permit.
This applies to all foreign students, regardless of which country you are travelling from.
Designated learning institutions
Provinces and regions certify schools that foreign students can apply to. These schools are known as designated learning institutions (DLI).
Your acceptance letter must be from a DLI before you can get a study permit. Otherwise, your application will be denied.
How to apply to a school, college or university
First you decide the school, college or university, you want and apply to go there. Every school has different rules on how to apply.
Ensure you apply at least:
- six months ahead for a primary or secondary school,
- twelve months ahead for a post-secondary program at a university, college, etc.
Next, Contact the school where you want to study to learn how to apply. You will be provided with all the information you need. Your school will give you information about:
- the cost to apply
- tuition fees
- health insurance
- rent and how much it costs to live in Canada
- language tests.
Complete the forms for the school or schools of your choice. Follow their instructions to submit them.
When the school approves your admission as a student, they will send you an acceptance letter. You need this letter to apply for a study permit and a visa.
Health insurance
The Government of Canada is not responsible for the medical costs of foreign students.
Medical coverage for foreign students is different depending on where you live. Contact the school you are applying to for more information about medical expenses.
What is a study permit?
The study permit is a document that qualifies foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada. Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. Ensure you have all the documents you need before you apply.
Note that your study permit is not a visa. It doesn’t guarantee you enter Canada. You may also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). If your study permit is approved, you will be issued one with your study permit.
Get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream
If you are a citizen of China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal or Vietnam? You might be able to get your study permit faster by applying online through the Student Direct Stream.
How long can you stay in Canada with a study permit?
A study permit is only eligible for the duration of the course applied for, plus an extra 3 months. The extra 3 months is to enable you prepare to vacate Canada or apply to extend your stay.
1. If you’re taking preliminary courses
If your study requires you to take some preliminary courses before they accept you into the main program, your study permit will be valid for the length of those courses, plus 1 year. You must then apply to extend your stay as a student once you acceptance is finalized.
2. If you’ll graduate after your study permit expires
If you don’t graduate before the date on your permit, you must apply to extend your stay as an undergrad, else you will be asked to vacate Canada.
3. If you graduate before your study permit duration elapses
If you graduate early, your permit will no longer be valid 90 days after you graduate, regardless of what day is on the study permit.
You will know you have completed your study program on the date your school first notifies you by completion letter, transcript, degree or diploma.
Evidence of the date your school notifies you must be provided, or the date you get your degree, diploma or certificate. Without evidence, the earliest issue date on the document will be used. The school may be contacted to confirm the date.
Can you visit home while studying?
Yes you can. However, If you leave Canada during your studies, you may need to show proof you’re enrolled in your school when you return to Canada.
Your visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), must still be eligible when you return to Canada.
Work on- or off-campus
As far as you have a study permit and you’re registered as a full-time student at a DLI, you may be able to work on-campus or off-campus. Hence, your study permit will include a condition that says you’re allowed to work while studying.
If you however, don’t have a study permit, you can’t work while you’re studying in Canada. In this case, you need to apply for a work permit.