Before applying for a study permit (student visa) in Canada, international students must first be accepted into a designated learning institution (DLI), a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students and submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter. Typically, you must apply for a study permit before entering Canada, although there are some exceptions.
There is no age limit for applying for a Canadian study permit, meaning age is not a barrier. However, several factors can influence the success of your application, so it’s important to be well-prepared to maximize your chances of approval.
The Canadian government requires international students to meet certain criteria and provide supporting documents as part of the application process. Ensure to gather all required documents and submit your study permit application before travelling to Canada.
Support yourself while studying. As an international student at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, you can work during your studies. However, before you start working, both you and your employer must ensure that you are eligible to work off-campus without a work permit.
As of November 2024, eligible international students can work up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions. You can also work multiple jobs to make up these 24 hours, provided you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit.
As an eligible international student in Canada, you may be eligible to bring your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children with you while you study. In many cases, the spouses and common-law partners of international students can apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada.
Typically, the work permit for your spouse or common-law partner will be valid for the same duration as your study permit, ensuring that they can stay and work in Canada for the entire period of your studies.
To work in Canada after graduation, you will need a work permit. If you graduate from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI) and can prove your language skills, you may apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), allowing you to stay in Canada temporarily and gain valuable work experience. The work experience you gain while working may also help you qualify for permanent residence.
Note that not all designated learning institutions and not all programs of study make you eligible for the post-graduation work permit.
If you are an international student who has graduated from a program in Canada and want to apply for permanent residency, you may be eligible to apply through the Provincial or Territorial Nominee Program (PNP).
Every province or a territory has different requirements. The international graduate streams are usually job offer driven, which means a graduate should find a job offer to become eligible to apply under the international graduate stream.
