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A study permit is a document that is issued by the Canadian government.  It allows you to 1) be in Canada, 2) to study, and 3) to work on the campus where you are enrolled as a full-time student.

• First (initial) Study Permits (applications processed outside of Canada)

• Extending Study Permits (applications processed in Canada)

• Temporary Resident Visas

• Further Questions?

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First (initial) Study Permits
(applications processed outside Canada)

A study permit is required for anyone that wants to study in Canada for 6 months or more. 

If you will study in Canada for less than 6 months, you can do so as a visitor. If there is a chance that you will choose to study for more than 6 months, you should apply for a study permit before coming to Canada because applications for initial (first) study permits must be processed outside of Canada. 

If you want to work on-campus, you must have a study permit, even if you plan to study for fewer than 6 months.

When should I apply for a study permit?
A study permit application can take many months to be processed.  It is a good idea to apply as soon as you have your proof of admission to Queen's.  Citizens of the United States of America have the option of applying when they enter Canada (processing is done immediately).

Consult the Canadian Visa Office serving your country or region of residence for a more detailed estimate on how long your application may take to be processed.  You can find information about past processing times through Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

 NEW!  How do I apply for a study permit?
You have two options:

1. Submit a printed application by mail/post or in person, or;
2. Submit an application online (and mail/post only your passport to the appropriate visa office only after you are instructed to do so by Citizenship and Immigration Canada officals).

Visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website to determine the appropriate application process for you. If you choose the paper application process you can access the application form, an application guide and further instructions on how to apply. If you choose to apply online, you will be required to answer a series of questions to determine your eligibility, and the supporting documents you will need to include.

If you are applying by mail/post, or in person, you must also consult the Canadian Visa Office serving your country or region of residence as each office may have it's own requirements. You may be asked to attend an interview, regardless of how you apply.

Applicants from some countries may also be requested to have a medical exam.

Note: If you submit a successful application for an initial (first) study permit outside of Canada and your citizenship requires you to have a Temporary Resident Visa, the visa will be issued with your letter of introduction. It is not necessary to submit a separate application, but you will need to include your passport with your application.

If you are already in Canada, and have a study permit from a different program of study, you can apply within Canada to extend your status.

Where should I apply for a study permit?
As noted above, you may qualify to apply online, but your application is likely to be processed by the Canadian Visa Office serving your country or region of residence. Citizens of the United States of America have the additional option of applying at their point of entry into Canada.

Those who have a work permit or a study permit from a different program of study and/or their partners or spouses are allowed to apply inside of Canada to change or extend their status.  See below for further details.

What happens after my study permit application has been processed?
If your application is successful, the visa office will give you a letter of introduction.  You must present this letter to Canadian immigration officials when you enter Canada.  They will give you your study permit at that time.  You are not eligible to study based on the letter of introduction alone.

If your citizenship requires you to have a Temporary Resident Visa, you will automatically be issued one with your letter of introduction.

You should not travel to Canada until you have been issued the letter of introduction and Temporary Resident Visa (if required).

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Extending Study Permits
(applications processed inside Canada)

Anyone that holds a valid study permit and is currently in Canada, can apply within Canada to extend their status.

I have a valid study permit from my high school studies in Canada, can I start at Queen's?
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, you must apply for a new study permit to begin your studies at Queen's.  A study permit for high school studies can only be used for high school studies.

I have a valid study permit from studies at a university or college  in Canada, can I start at Queen's?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada allows post-secondary students with valid study permits to change schools or programs without applying for a new study permit.

If you hold an Off-Campus Work Permit that you got while studying at another Canadian college or university, you must log in to the MyCIC section of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website and transfer reporting responsibilities from your previous institution to Queen's.  If you do not, you will be considered ineligible for the Off-Campus Work Permit and will be unable to apply for a new one after extending your study permit.

How do I extend my current study permit in Canada?
Applications to extend your status in Canada can be submitted by mail (post) or online to a central processing centre.

The application, a guide and a checklist of supporting documents are available through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

If you decide to apply online, you will find some initial instructions below.

When should I apply to extend my current study permit in Canada?
Canadian law requires you to apply before your current study permit expires.  If you send your application before your current study permit expires then you can stay in Canada while your application is processed.  In this time you have "implied status".

Citizenship and Immigration Canada publishes current processing times for temporary residency document applications (this includes study permits) through their processing centre.

How do I apply online to extend my study permit in Canada?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) try to give detailed instructions on the process.  A few useful additional notes include:

• The "Apply Online" link is the fifth in the main listing of options. Clicking it presents you with a drop-down menu where you can choose the Study Permit.

• Whether you use their GCKey or the Sign-in Partner login, keep a record of your username and password somewhere safe.

• If you decide to exit at any point, all responses submitted until that point will be saved. The next time you access your MyCIC account page and click on the Study Permit application you have in process, you will be brought to the last unanswered question.

• The application fee can be paid online (if you have a valid credit card), or through a Canadian bank (using a payment form available from our International Student Advisors). A Study Permit application costs $125 CAN.  

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada publishes current processing times for temporary residency document applications (this includes Study Permits) through their processing centre.

More information on the GCKey and the application process is available from the International Student Advisors or through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

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Temporary Resident Visas 

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a visa that is required by citizens of some countries to come to Canada.  The TRV must be valid on the date that you enter Canada but can expire any time after that.

If you successfully apply for a first (initial) study permit through a visa office outside of Canada, a TRV will automatically be issued.

If you already have a study permit but your TRV has expired or if you do not require a study permit (because you will study for no more than 6 months) please visit our Canadian Visas and Permits page for more information.

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Further Questions?

If you have further questions, after reviewing the information above, advising is available (without an appointment) from the International Student Advisors at the Queen's University International Centre from Monday to Friday between 1:00pm and 4:30pm.