When a Study Permit for Canada is Required
If you are not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, a family or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada or a member of a foreign armed force under the Visiting Forces Act, and you wish to take a course of six months or more, then you will need a study permit for Canada.
When A Study Permit for Canada is Not Required
International students do not need a study permit to study in Canada in the following cases:
- Short course or program - You do not need a study permit for a short-term course or program of six months or less as long as you finish your course within the time authorized for your visit to Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada recommends that you apply for a study permit anyway before you come to Canada. If you don't, and then decide you want to continue studying, you would have to apply for a study permit from outside Canada.
- Courses that are not academic, professional or vocational
- Courses included in a tour package for tourists
- Nursery schools or kindergarten
- Foreign representatives - Those with diplomatic, consular or official status in Canada and their family members do not need a study permit. Contact your embassy in Canada to ensure you do not need a study permit.
- Foreign Armed Forces - While members of foreign armed forces under the Visiting Forces Act do not need a study permit, their family members, including children, do.
Study Permits for Children
For information on study permits for children see Study Permits - Minor Children from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
