Temporary Residents: Students

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

All foreign nationals require written authorization (a study permit) in order to study in Canada unless exempted.

Intake

• Who needs a study permit
• Making an application
• Student Direct stream (SDS)
• Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)
• Minors
• Refugees/Protected Persons
• Designated learning institutions

Processing

• Assessing an application
• Letters of acceptance
• Provincial attestation letters
• Studying in Quebec
• Scholarship and award recipients
• Other considerations
• Final decisions: Entering new study permit conditions in GCMS and FOSS
  • Bilingual Remarks/Observations for Visitor Records, Work Permits and Study Permits
• Reviewing student enrolment status reporting by DLIs

Work

• On-campus work
• Co-op Work Permit Program
• Off-campus Work Permit Program
• Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
• Spouses or common-law spouses of full-time students

Enforcement

• Assessing study permit conditions
• Individuals named in an immigration warrant
• Conditions on post-secondary Designated Learning Institutions

Admission to Canada

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements for the temporary resident category under which they have applied, applicants will require either a visa or an electronic travel authorization (if they are visa-exempt).

Note: Some Entry/Exit information can be accessed in GCMS by conducting a query through the application screen. Since February 26, 2019, all land entry and exit records (on all travellers, including Canadian and US citizens) and all air entry records are available. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) started to onboard air carriers between June 2020 and June 2021 to obtain air exit information. As of June 2021, all air exit information is available through a query in GCMS. Entry/exit information can be used to assess residence and to check for overstays. Data is collected point forward and not available for records that predate February 26, 2019.

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2025-06-27