International Students
Tips on communicating with IRCC
Tutorial: apply for an initial study permit
Overview of the process
When to apply
You must apply for your initial study permit from outside of Canada and it must be approved before you come to Canada. Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government department that handles immigration.
You should apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your Letter of Admission and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), if applicable.
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you have the option to apply upon entry into Canada, either at the Canada-US border crossing or at an airport upon arrival in Canada. You will need a PAL for your application unless you are enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral degree program.
If you are inside Canada only some people are eligible to apply through the inside Canada process. Contact International Student Advising for support.
Check current estimated processing times.
First, learn about study permits
Before preparing your application, review important information about what a study permit is, who needs one, study permits for minors, and other important considerations.
If you have a spouse, common-law partner, or children, it’s possible to submit your family’s applications together with your study permit application. Learn more about documents for your family.
Next, prepare your application
Medical exams
You may be required to complete an immigration medical exam. In general, it is faster for study permit processing if you take an “upfront” medical exam, meaning you take a medical exam before you apply for a study permit, and submit the medical exam document (e-medical) in your study permit application.
You can also submit your study permit application first and wait for a notice asking you to take a medical exam, which may take longer. Generally, if you do not take an upfront medical exam, you will have to provide results within 30 days of receiving a request for a medical exam.
Costs of medical exams vary depending on the individual panel physician (a doctor authorized by Canadian Immigration to conduct immigration medical exam).
Check out the “documents you might need” section on the Gather your required documents page for further information.
Complete the application review course
Before you submit your application, review the online application review Canvas course to go over your application with helpful videos and to learn about common mistakes.
Then, apply for your initial study permit
The application fee is $150.
It’s highly recommended to apply online.
Alternate options
- Apply in person at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
- Apply by paper if you have a disability which prevents you from applying online, or you hold an identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons.
- US citizens, US permanent residents, and residents of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon can also apply in person upon entry to Canada at the border or airport.
Submit biometrics and medical exams, if applicable
Submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) in-person at the nearest biometrics collection site after you apply for your study permit within 30 days of receiving a request for biometrics. Book an appointment to provide biometrics as soon as you get your Biometrics Instruction Letter (request for your biometrics). A fee of $85 will be required at the time you submit your study permit application. IRCC will not start processing your application until you have submitted your biometrics, if applicable.
Some students may need to travel within their home country or in some cases, apply for a visa to travel to another country to submit biometrics.
If you provided biometrics in the past 10 years or if you are a U.S. citizen, you are exempt. Find out more on who needs to provide biometrics.
Get your study permit approval
If your study permit application is approved, IRCC will email you a Letter of Introduction.
You will need to print and present this letter to the Canada Border Services Officer when you first enter Canada. They will then issue your study permit (a piece of paper) at the airport or border crossing.
Review the Travelling to Canada Guide before making travel plans. Do not book travel until you have received your Letter of Introduction, or book travel that can be changed or refunded.
Sample Letter of Introduction
Below is a sample letter of introduction.
If your application is refused
Contact International Student Advising so we can help you resolve the issue.
Wondering if you need a visa to enter Canada?
Depending on your country of citizenship, you may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. If you do, IRCC will issue the TRV or eTA once your study permit is approved.
You do not need to apply separately for either a TRV or eTA when applying for your study permit from outside Canada. If you need to extend your study permit or apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada in the future, you’ll need to apply for a TRV separately after you’ve received your study or work permit.
Get your TRV/eTA, if applicable
After your study permit has been approved, you will automatically be issued one of these documents to travel to Canada depending on your country of citizenship:
- Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), or
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
If you are from a TRV-required country, normally, IRCC will contact you to ask for your passport once your study permit is approved. You will then send your passport to your visa office or a Visa Application Centre (VAC) so they can attach your TRV (a sticker) on a page inside your passport.
If you are from an eTA country, once your study permit is approved, IRCC will automatically include your eTA number in your Letter of Introduction. No action is required by you. You can check your eTA status online.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are exempt from requiring a TRV or an eTA.
When you arrive in Canada
Read the guide to ensure you are prepared for your arrival in Canada and steps you should follow.
After entering Canada
Read the guide to learn the steps you should complete once you’re in Canada.
If you have questions
You can connect with International Student Advising for questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.
The information on this page may change
The immigration information in this tutorial has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.
