IRCC or Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada issue over 130,000 study permits each year; this grants individuals from around the world the opportunity to study in Canada for a definite period of time at a Canadian educational institution, in a specific program.​

In most cases, a Study Permit is required for all foreigners. However, in the following circumstances a Study

Permit may not be necessary:

• Any course or program that does not have a duration for longer than six months;
• Where the individual in question is the family or staff member of someone who is acting as a foreign representative to Canada.

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada has two general requirements that must be met in order to issue a Study Permit:

• A qualified Canadian educational institution must provide the applicant with an acceptance letter;
• The applicant must possess sufficient funds for his or her stay in Canada, including being able to pay for tuition and living costs.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada may also, in some circumstances, require medical examinations as well as police clearance certificates.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada sometimes requires that the student applicant obtain a Temporary Resident Visa. Citizens of visa exempt countries do not have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa.

Note that Montreal and other cities in the Province of Quebec also require that applicants for a student visa acquire approval from Quebec provincial authorities.

To be eligible to study in Canada

• You must have been accepted by a designated learning institution in Canada.
• You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your:
  • Tuition fees
  • Living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
  • Return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
• You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
• You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
• You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

Exceptions

In some cases, you do not require a study permit to go to school in Canada.

• If you wish to study in a short-term course or program
  You do not need a study permit if you plan to take a course or program in Canada that lasts six months or less. You must complete the course or program within the period authorized for your stay in Canada.
• Foreign representatives to Canada
  If you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), you may not need a permit to study in Canada. You should contact your embassy in Canada. Your embassy can contact the Office of Protocol at GAC to find out whether you need a study permit.
• Members of foreign armed forces
  If you are a member of a foreign armed force under the Visiting Forces Act, you do not need a permit to study in Canada. If your family members, including minor children, want to study in Canada, they must meet the requirements.
• Foreign nationals who are Registered Indians in Canada
  If you are a citizen of another country who has Registered Indian status in Canada, you do not need a permit to study in Canada.