Canada: Apply for a Study Permit as a Graduate Student Canada

Apply to a school and get your letter of acceptance (LOA) To apply for a study permit, you must first apply to, and get accepted by a DLI. If the school accepts you as a student, they will send you a letter of acceptance (LOA).

You need this letter to apply for a study permit. Every school has different rules for how to apply. Contact the school where you want to study to learn how to apply. They will give you the list of all the documents you need to send them.

Make sure you apply for your graduate program early. You can’t apply for a study permit until you have your LOA. 3. 3 ## Get your documents ready When you apply for a study permit, you usually need to include some documents.

In some cases, you may not need all of them. Starting January 1, 2026, if you’re planning to attend a degree-granting program at the master’s or doctoral level at a public institution, you don’t need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL) when applying for a study permit. If you’re planning to study in Quebec, you still need to meet the province’s requirements. Find out what other documents you need before you submit your application.

4. 4 ## Prepare your family’s applications (if they’re applying to come with you) Your family can apply for visitor visas, work permits or study permits. Submit their applications with yours and we’ll process them all together. Eligible family members include your - spouse or common-law partner - dependant child (yours, your spouse’s or your common-law partner’s) or - dependant child of a dependant child 5.

5 ## Apply for a study permit ### Apply online Use the IRCC secure account to apply for your study permit (and any family applications). Apply for a study permit ### Faster processing for doctoral students We’re processing applications for doctoral students (and their family members) in 2 weeks. Get faster processing ## Get answers to your questions Can I work while I study in Canada? You may be eligible to work in Canada while studying if - your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus, and - you meet all other requirements for your work situation
• For example, you must follow the rules for working on or off campus.

You can only start working in Canada when you start your study program. You can’t work before your studies begin. ### Working as an international student As a study permit holder, you may be able to work off or on campus without needing a work permit. Make sure you meet the requirements before you find a job.
• Working on campus
• Working off campus
• Work in a student work placement Learn more about working as an international student. Can I travel outside Canada with a study permit? Yes. However, your study permit is not a travel document.

It doesn’t give you the right to travel to or enter Canada. Along with your permit, you may need - a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or - an electronic travel authorization (eTA) Depending on where you’re from, you may only need your passport. Make sure you know which document you need to travel to and enter Canada. ### What else do I need to be allowed back into Canada?

Even if you have the travel document you need , there is no guarantee you’ll be allowed back into Canada. You still must show the border services officer that you meet all the requirements before we’ll let you re-enter. If you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, make sure the one you have will still be valid when you return to Canada. If it won’t be valid, you must apply to extend it before you leave Canada.

Learn more about travelling outside Canada and then re-entering. Can I change schools after coming to Canada? In most cases, you can change schools after coming to Canada. To change schools, you must be -