Citizenship and Immigration Canada advises that it takes at least six months to gather the information and documents required to apply for a study permit for Canada and to plan and prepare for a move to Canada as an international student.
You should apply for a study permit as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from an educational institution.
Processing times vary depending on the visa office where you apply. The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada maintains statistical information on processing times to give you an idea of how long applications for study permits at different visa offices have taken in the past to use as a general guideline.
Citizens of certain countries may need to complete additional formalities which could add several weeks or longer to the normal processing time. You will be advised if these requirements apply to you.
If you require a medical exam, it could add several months to the application processing time. In most cases you will require a medical exam. If you require a medical exam, a Canadian visa officer will tell you and send you instructions.
