Study in Canada
Our experts offer answers to all your top questions, including what it costs to study in Canada, what courses you can take, and how you can use your Canadian study permit as a pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
How to Study in Canada
Following steps are needed if you wish to study in Canada and transition to permanent residence.
Select a program:
Conduct research and discover the education program you want to pursue in Canada.
Apply to a Canadian designated learning institution:
Once you have determined which education program to apply to, submit your application to the Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) of your choice.
Apply for a study permit:
Upon obtaining a letter of acceptance, we can help you submit an application to the Government of Canada for a study permit. The study permit is a document that most people need so they can legally study in Canada.
Explore your immigration options:
After completing your studies, we can help you remain in Canada to gain more professional work experience and pursue permanent residence.
Benefits of studying in Canada:
- Work on campus and off campus while studying
- Bring your family to Canada – your spouse or common-law partner can also obtain Open work permit. Your dependents can study in school.
- Obtain Post Graduate work permit after successful graduation
- Determine your pathway to Canadian immigration
The SDS program currently serves residents of 14 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.
Canada aims to process all study permit applications eligible for SDS processing in 20 calendar days.
Eligibility requirements for Canada’s Student Direct Stream
To submit an application for a Canadian study permit through the SDS program, prospective student applicants must:
- provide a copy of a letter of acceptance from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution
- present a confirmation document for the applicant’s upfront medical exam
- prove that they have obtained a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000
- prove that tuition fees for the first year of study are paid and
- show proof that they either completed studies at a Canadian curriculum high school or show proof of a language test results demonstrating an IELTS score of 6 in English or NCLC 7 for French
- submit the application at a Visa Application Centre (VAC)
A study permit extension is required if an international student in Canada wishes to continue studying for longer than the validity period of their study permit.
The student should plan ahead to ensure this application is submitted in advance of the expiration date of their current permit.
As long as, the application is submitted before this date, the student may remain in Canada under implied status until a decision is made on their extension application, provided that the conditions of their permit have not changed. However, if the conditions of the permit have changed, then the foreign national does not have implied status and must wait until they receive a decision on their application.
In the event a student does not apply for an extension before their permit expires, they can apply for a restoration of status within 90 days of the expiration date. If a foreign national wants to change their study permit, such as changing levels of study, transferring institutions, or altering conditions listed on their study permit, then it may not be sufficient to simply apply to extend their study permit. In these cases, it may be necessary to apply for a new study permit.
