INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN CANADA | FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | FAQ CATEGORIES:
- All
- Top Questions
- How Can I Study in Canada?
- Immigrating to Canada
- Costs of Studying in Canada
- Work During Your Studies
- Study in Quebec | CAQ Applications
- Bringing Your Family With You
WORK OPTIONS IN CANADA AS A STUDENT
As an international student in Canada you are allowed to work during your studies. This is only available to students that have a valid study permit and are enrolled in a program that lasts longer than six months.
Students are allowed to work part-time up to 20 hours a week in either on or off-campus jobs. During scheduled breaks, students are permitted to work full-time instead.
TOP REASONS MY STUDY PERMIT WAS REFUSED
There are many reasons why Canadian study permit applications are often refused:
1. LEAVING CANADA AFTER YOUR VISA EXPIRES
A Canadian study permit is a temporary visa document by nature. Therefore, you must satisfy the condition that you will leave the country once it has expired. Providing a compelling narrative that you will return to your home country is one of the most important factors that a visa officer considers when issuing a study permit.
If you are unable to convince the visa officer that you will leave the country at the end of your studies, your application may be refused. This doesn’t mean that you aren’t allowed to extend your visa or look for ways to permanently immigrate. In fact, there are many immigration programs that operate with this in mind and are catered specifically for individuals with Canadian student experience. However, since it is a temporary visa, the visa officer must have confidence that the individual in question will return home after their studies if they are unable to extend their stay.
2. HAVE NECESSARY FUNDS TO STUDY AND LIVE IN CANADA
Another important part of the study permit application is proving you have the necessary funds to live and study in Canada for the complete duration of your studies, including any family members that may be accompanying you during this time. If the government believes you do not have the necessary finances to study and live in Canada, your application may be refused.
While many individuals can find this part of the application daunting, you are only required to show a certain number of funds. This does not mean you are required to spend that sum. Instead, you simply need to show the visa officer that you can provide for yourself if an unforeseen case arises.
3. YOU ARE MEDICALLY OR CRIMINALLY INADMISSIBLE
In certain cases, a study permit application may be refused if the applicant is deemed medically or criminally inadmissible by the federal government.
To be considered medically inadmissible, your condition:
- Must be considered a danger to public health or safety, or;
- Cause excessive strain on health or social services of Canada
To see if you may be considered criminally inadmissible, click here.
If your study permit application has been refused, contact our immigration experts and lawyers to see what options exist for you.
MY CANADIAN STUDY PERMIT APPLICATION WAS REFUSED
If your study permit application was refused there are two things you can do:
- You can choose to appeal the refusal, or;
- Find out the reason(s) it was refused and submit a revised application
Normally, your refusal letter will outline the reason(s) your application was refused. Understanding why your application was refused is the first step to getting back on track to receiving your study permit.
If your study permit application was refused and are looking for other options to study in Canada, fill out this form.
LANGUAGE EXAMS FOR CANADIAN STUDY PERMITS
In most cases, you are not required to present language test scores for IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF exams in order to obtain a study permit. However, some Canadian universities or colleges may require language test results as a part of the application process.
COURSES THAT REQUIRE A CANADIAN STUDY PERMIT
If you are planning on taking a course or program that lasts less than 6 months, you do not require a Canadian study permit. Under most circumstances, a tourist visa is sufficient since they are normally issued for periods up to six months.
It’s important to note that if your course lasts longer than six months or if you need to extend your visitor’s stay in order to complete the course or program, you will require a study permit.
To see if you are eligible to study in Canada, fill out our free student assessment.
TOP SCHOOLS IN CANADA
Canada is host to a variety of world class colleges and universities. Click below to discover your options.
HOW TO STUDY IN QUEBEC AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
The Quebec study process can be broken up into three steps:
1. OBTAINING A LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE
In order to obtain a valid study permit, you will need to receive a letter of acceptance from your host institution. Study permits can only be issued to schools that are recognized as Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) by the federal government, meaning they are authorized to host international students.
Currently, all primary and secondary schools across Canada are DLIs, as well as most most colleges and universities. To see a list of all authorized DLIs in Quebec, click here.
2. APPLYING FOR A CAQ
Once you have received your acceptance letter, you can apply to the Quebec provincial government to obtain a Certificat d’Acceptation du Quebec – CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate). This immigration document acknowledges that the Quebec government has approved your application to study in the province as an international student.
The CAQ application requires that you fill out a form detailing the program and school you intend to study in, basic information about yourself, passport numbers, and other relevant credencials.
3. APPLYING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Lastly, like all other provinces and territories in Canada, you are then required to apply through the federal government to obtain your study permit. The federal government always makes the final decision for whether or not to issue a study permit, taking into account medical and criminal inadmissibility.
*While other provinces ask you to go through a similar process through the federal government, Quebec requires that it approves all potential candidates at the provincial level first before leaving the final decision to the federal government.
To see if you are eligible to study in Quebec or want to obtain your own CAQ, fill out this form.
CAQ APPLICATION FOR QUEBEC STUDIES
The Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ – Certificat d’Acceptation du Quebec) is the immigration document required by international students looking to study in the province of Quebec.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS IN QUEBEC
Quebec operates differently than the rest of Canada and requires that you go through a two-step process to obtain a study permit:
1. Firstly, international students apply directly to the Quebec government to obtain a valid CAQ. This immigration document acknowledges that the Quebec government has approved your request to study in the province as an international student. The application requires that you fill out a form detailing the program and school you intend to study in, basic information about yourself, passport numbers, and other relevant details.
2. Afterwards, like all other provinces and territories in Canada, you are then required to apply through the federal government to obtain your study permit. The federal government always makes the decision for whether or not to issue a study permit, taking into account medical and criminal inadmissibility.
*While other provinces ask you to go through a similar process through the federal government, Quebec requires that it approves all potential candidates at the provincial level first before leaving the final decision to the federal government.
To see if you are eligible to study in Quebec or want to obtain your own CAQ, fill out this form.
COSTS OF A CANADIAN STUDY PERMIT
*Study Permit costs per person: $150 CAD ($120 USD)
*Restoring status as a student: $350 CAD ($280 USD)
- Student status restoration: $200 CAD
- New study permit: $150 CAD
*Costs are subject to change without prior notice, visit the Government of Canada website for more information.
BRINGING YOUR FAMILY WITH YOU
One of the greatest benefits of studying in Canada is that you are eligible to bring your family with you during your studies. This includes your spouse or common-law partner and any dependent children you may have.
During this time, your spouse or common-law partner is eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to seek employment anywhere in the country in almost any field. Also, you children are allowed to study in Canadian primary or secondary schools without the need of study permit.
If you decide to extend your stay in Canada afterwards through a Post-Graduation Work Permit, your family is eligible for continued status as well.
DESIGNATED LEARNING INSTITUTIONS
In order to study in Canada for programs lasting longer than six months you are required to obtain a study permit. A study permit is only valid for schools that are recognized as Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) by the Government of Canada.
A Designated Learning Institution is a school that has been approved to host international students by the province or territory it is bound to. In Canada, all primary and secondary schools are recognized as DLIs, as well as most colleges and universities.
To see a list of all DLIs, click here.
QUEBEC STUDY PERMITS
Like all other provinces and territories in Canada, Quebec requires international students to obtain a study permit for programs lasting longer than 6 months. However, Quebec operates a little differently and requires applicants to go through a two step process.
Firstly, when you are accepted to your host institution in Quebec, you are required to apply directly to the Quebec government to obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ – certificat d’acceptation du Québec). This certificate is the immigration document that allows international students to study in Quebec.
If your CAQ application is approved, you are then allowed to apply to the federal government to obtain your study permit.
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
One of the requirements of studying in Canada as an international student is having overseas health insurance during your studies. If you do not have valid health insurance for the duration of your program, you may be denied a study permit.
Depending on your school, you may have to apply for a third-party overseas health insurance plan , or obtain it through the province. Learn more.
Want to discover all your options to study in Canada as an international student? Fill out our free online assessment to start the process today!
Study Permits — Helping you achieve your Canadian student dreams
