Every year, Canada receives thousands of foreign students who enter the nation with study visas and permits that come with strict requirements to follow while they are studying.
These prerequisites for the study permission are outlined in the sections that follow. Please take note that the particular terms applicable to each student’s situation are listed in the paperwork that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues on their permission.
Overall
A study permit may often have a number of stipulations, such as travel restrictions, job authorization, and permit start and end dates. Typical instances of these circumstances are as follows:
- having an enrollment at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI); note that there are several exceptions.
- demonstrating a diligent pursuit of their education; few exceptions apply; see below
- notifying the Canadian government whenever a student transfers to or from a post-secondary institution
- quitting school if a person can no longer fulfill the qualifications to be a student
- When your permission expires, leave Canada
- The particular level of education of the student
- Whether working on or off campus is permitted for the student
- If the student has any medical treatments to report for,
- Can the student travel within the borders of Canada?
- The deadline by which the pupil has to cease their studies
Work
The majority of overseas students studying in Canada also wish to earn money. Students do not need a separate work permit to work on or off campus as long as their work permit restrictions allow it.
Note: In either scenario, students cannot start working until they have finished their education.
Some overseas students are allowed to work more than the standard 20 hours per week until December 31 of this year (more information available here).
On campus
International students need to be full-time (additional information available here), have a valid study permit, and have a Social Security Number (SIN) in order to work on campus.
International students are required to cease their work on campus under the following situations:
- The day the student ceases to be a full-time student (unless they are in their last semester and fulfill all other criteria)
- When their research authorization ends
- If they get permission to take a break from their studies
- If the pupil is not enrolled in classes at the moment and is changing schools
Outside of campus
International students can work off campus only if they are enrolled full-time (more information available here) at a DLI, have a valid study permit, be enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program (or a secondary-level vocational training program if they are in Quebec), and have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
*Students from other countries must be enrolled in a minimum six-month program that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- For overseas students, they have to cease working off campus if any of the following applies:
- They are not allowed to work off-campus while they are studying, according to their study permission.
- Only an English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) program is they enrolled in.
- They are just enrolled in classes for general interest.
- The only classes the student is enrolled in are those necessary to get admitted to a full-time program.
- When a student’s circumstances change, they are no longer eligible to work off-campus.
Journey
Many foreign students from Canada say they would want to travel while they are studying here, either for a vacation abroad or to see friends and family back home.
During the duration of their study permit, international students are permitted to travel freely inside Canada; however, they must keep the following in mind when leaving the country and returning.
returning to Canada while holding a current study permit
International students wishing to return to Canada after traveling, in addition to possessing a valid study permit and/or approval for a study permit or study permit extension, are required to:
- possess a current passport or travel authorization, such as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or visiting (temporary resident) visa.
- Participate in a Canadian DLI
- Fulfill all additional criteria for re-entering Canada
A study permit does not entitle the bearer to travel.
International students may require an eTA or a visiting (temporary resident) visa* in order to travel to and from Canada. In other circumstances, students might be permitted to travel with just their passport; however, this will depend on which nations demand a visiting visa or eTA.
Note: Travelers must demonstrate to border services that they fulfill all re-entry conditions before being permitted to re-enter Canada. Having an eTA or guest visa does not ensure re-entry into the nation.
For holders of visiting visas (not eTA holders), there is an exemption to the rule mentioned above: if they are traveling solely to the United States, St. Pierre, or Miquelon and their study permit is still in effect, they will still be permitted to return to Canada even if their paperwork is invalid.
*Students are responsible for making sure their visiting visa is valid when they return to Canada and for renewing it before they leave if it is about to expire while they are away.
Until their extension is approved, students who have a pending study permit extension will not be permitted entry into Canada.
Penalties for violating the terms of a study permit
If the requirements of the study permit are not met, the student may:
- lose their study visa and student status
- be requested to depart from Canada
- need to wait six months before reapplying for a work permit, visiting visa, or study permit in Canada.
Note: Failure to abide by study permit terms and/or working or studying without authorization may affect the outcome of future immigration applications or judgments.
Who is free from the requirements of a study permit?
It is not necessary for some holders of study permits to provide documentation proving they are enrolled in a Canadian DLI or actively pursuing their education.
The following people are not subject to this requirement:
- Individuals who are in Canada as refugees
- Individuals who are dependent children or spouses of Canadians holding study or work permits
- those who are enrolled in Canadian universities as part of a mutual exchange program
Here is a comprehensive list of those who are exempt from this study permission requirement.
Foreign students who are excluded from the aforementioned requirement must nevertheless fulfill all other requirements for a study permit in order to keep their status in Canada.
