The International Centre

Study Permit, Temporary Residence Visa and Work Permits

Table of contents:

  1. International Student
  2. Study Permit
  3. Temporary Resident Visa
  4. Working in Canada

International Student:

An international student is a person who is not a landed immigrant (permanent resident) and who comes to Canada, on a temporary basis, for the purpose of pursuing an accredited course of study. In order to study in Canada, international students require a study permit, and in some cases a temporary resident visa, issued by Canada immigration authorities outside of Canada. Students who are either Canadian citizens or who have permanent residence status are not considered international students regardless of their country of origin.

Study Permit:

The government of Canada requires students who are neither citizens nor permanent residents to obtain a study permit (and in some cases a temporary resident visa) to study in Canada. Applications for study permits must be made at Canadian embassies, consulates or high commissions abroad. For more information, check out the website of the Citizenship & Immigration Canada.

American citizens or permanent residents of the United States can apply for study permits at the points of entry (border or airports) into Canada. BUT you still must present all the required documentation (completed study permit application forms and supporting information).

Obtaining a Study Permit:

If you are not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a family member of a foreign representative accredited to Canada or a member of the armed forces of a country that is a designated state for the purpose of the visiting forces act, you MUST obtain a study permit to study in Canada. Applications for study permits must be made at Canadian embassies, consulates or high commissions abroad.

NOTE: Sometimes it is difficult navigating through the embassies' websites. If you are having difficulties finding the appropriate information and forms to apply for your study permit, let us know which Canadian embassy is responsible for your area (the embassy you will be sending your study permit application to) and we will send you the links to all the forms and documents required by that specific embassy.

To obtain a Study Permit all students must:

  • Complete an application. You must contact the Canadian embassy responsible for your country to ensure you have all the required forms and documentation applicable to your country. Click here for Canadian Embassies by region
  • Provide evidence of acceptance in the form of an unconditional letter of acceptance from the Admissions Office offering you admission into one of our full-time accredited programs or the TESL Centre offering you admission into one of our English Programs
  • Provide evidence of adequate (sufficient) funds to cover the cost of tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and, if applicable, your dependants coming to Canada with you. Evidence includes personal bank statements, letters pledging financial support from family or other sponsors, or letters from your academic department offering you employment, bursary, scholarship or fellowship money
  • Depending on your country of origin, you may be required to have a medical examination
  • Pay the study permit application fee of $125 Canadian dollars
  • Have a valid Passport
  • Provide any additional information as required by the Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission in your country

Please keep in mind that immigration procedures can take anywhere between one to four months ( depending where you are and what embassy or consulate will be processing your immigration file) so we advise students to begin the application process well in advance to avoid complications and delays

For further information on study permit, please contact your local Canadian embassy, consulate, high commission, or check out the website of the Citizenship & Immigration Canada.

What courses DO NOT require a Study Permit?

A study permit is not needed for:

  • Any program of study six months or less that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada
  • Courses that are not academic, professional, or vocational in nature that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada
  • Pre-school, primary or secondary level if you are a minor child of a study or work permit holder in Canada (Please note that it is only once a child is in Canada that the study permit exemption applies; minor children outside of Canada must apply for a study permit if they are coming to Canada to study)
  • Nursery schools or kindergartens

Applying for a Study Permit Within Canada:

If you are already in Canada studying for six months or less without a study permit, and if you want to keep studying for more than six months, you will need to apply for a study permit at a Canadian embassy, consulate, or high commission abroad. You must apply for a study permit before your current immigration status expires. You might be required to go to the embassy, consulate or high commission for an interview. Therefore, you should send your study permit application to the nearest embassy, consulate or high commission. We recommend our international students to send their study permit application to the Consulate General of Canada in New York.

To apply for a Study Permit within Canada, you must submit the following - Click here for the information guide

  • Photocopies of passport pages clearly showing the passport number, dates of issue and expiry, name and date of birth, any stamps made by the Canadian authorities upon entry into Canada and any other marked pages. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date the Canadian embassy receives your application
  • Photocopy of your Visitor Record (if applicable)
  • Two recent passport style photographs. Names and dates of birth must be written on the back of each photo
  • Proof of adequate funds to cover tuition and living expenses – in general $10, 000 CAN dollars is required in addition to tuition fees for one year (this may be in the form of a receipt showing payment of tuition and residence fees). If you have a bank account in Canada, your bank account statements for the past four months. A bank letter or certified document from an individual with proven means guaranteeing financial support
  • Transcript from your last program of study
  • The processing fees: $125.00 CAN. Fees are to be paid by money order payable to the RECEIVER GENERAL OF CANADA (Cash is NOT accepted by mail)

Processing fees are no-refundable . If your application is refused, no part of the processing fees will be returned.

Processing times and waiting periods:

Mail-in applications are generally processed within two months. In some cases a personal interview and/or a medical examination may be required (you must make your own arrangements to present yourself at the consulate if an interview is required).

Mail the application including all required documents and the processing fees (money order) to:

The Canadian Consulate General

Immigration Section

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York, USA

10020-1175

Note: If you are a minor (under 18 years of age) you must submit two notarized custodianship declaration forms, one signed by your parents or legal guardian in your country of origin, as well as one signed by the custodian in Canada, stating that arrangements have been made for the custodian to act in place of a parent in times of emergency.  Click here for the Custodianship Declaration Forms.

Study Permit Renewal (extension):


Once you are in Canada studying, and if you have a study permit, you can apply to extend (renew) it within Canada. You should apply for an extension (renewal) of your study permit about two months before it expires.

NOTE: The international Centre offers Immigration Help Sessions to help students with their Study, Work and/or Visitor Applications. We strongly recommend our students to attend these sessions. Click here for the Immigration Help Sessions Schedule.

To apply for a renewal of your Study Permit, you must submit the following -Click here for the information guide

  • Photocopies of passport pages clearly showing the passport number, dates of issue and expiry, name and date of birth, any stamps made by the Canadian authorities upon entry into Canada and any other marked pages. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date the Case Processing Centre receives your application
  • Photocopy of your valid Study Permit
  • Proof of financial means of support (your own or your Guarantor's)
  • If you are a degree student, a current letter from the Registrar's Office stating that you are registered with Saint Mary's. If you are a TESL student who will be entering university, a letter from the Admissions Office granting you "unconditional" acceptance into Saint Mary's. If you are a TESL student who will be taking more English courses, a letter from the TESL Centre stating that you have registered for more English courses.
  • Photocopies of the transcripts (marks) of your last two semesters of study

Mail the application including all required documents and fee receipt to:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Study Permit
Case Processing Centre

6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 101

Vegreville , Alberta
T9C 1X5

Minor children Studying in Canada:


In Canada, each province and territory decides the age of majority. Anyone under the age of majority is considered to be a minor child. In Nova Scotia the age of majority is 19 years. If a minor child is coming to study in Canada, he/she will need a custodian in Canada. All minors applicants must supply two notarized custodianship declaration forms, one signed by the parents or legal guardians in the country of origin, as well as one signed by the custodian in Canada, stating that arrangements have been made for the custodian to act in place of the parent. Click here for the Custodianship Declaration Forms.

Loss of Student Status:


You will lose your student status (out-of-status) if:

  • Your study permit expires while you are in Canada; and if you do not apply to extend (renew) it before it expires
  • You violate any conditions imposed on your study permit

Once you are out-of-status, you have 90 days (three months), from the day your study permit expired, to apply for restoration of your student status. The cost for the restoration of your student status is $325 dollars ($200 for the restoration of the student status + $125 for the issuance of the new study permit = $325 dollars).

If you do not apply to restore your student status within the 90 days (three moths), you will have to leave Canada. You will have to be outside Canada for at least six months, before you can apply for a new study permit at a Canadian embassy, consulate or high commissioner abroad.

Temporary Resident Visa:

Citizens from many countries require a temporary resident visa to come to Canada in addition to the study permit. Click here to see whether you need a Temporary Resident Visa.

Once in Canada you do not need a temporary resident visa. If you come to Canada to study, once in Canada, the study permit is your valid status. You will only need a valid temporary resident visa if you leave Canada and want to return again.

If you want to obtain a new temporary resident visa, you will need to apply at a Canadian embassy, consulate, or high commission abroad. You might be required to go to the embassy, consulate or high commission for an interview. Therefore, you should send your temporary resident visa application to the nearest embassy, consulate or high commission. We recommend sending your temporary resident visa application to the Consulate General of Canada in New York.

NOTE: If you go to the United States, you will only need your valid study permit to come back to Canada as long as you DO NOT go to another country from the United States.

NOTE: The following information applies only to the Consulate General of Canada In New York. If you are sending you application to any other consulate (embassy), please contact that specific consulate as requirements for a Temporary Resident Visa may vary from consulate to consulate. Click here for Canadian Embassies by region

Your application for a new Temporary Resident Visa must include - Click here for the information guide

  • The Complete Temporary Resident Visa made Outside of Canada Application
  • Application Schedule 1 (if applicable)
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if applicable)
  • Use of a Representative (if applicable)
  • Document Checklist - Temporary Resident Visa
  • Your original passport with at least one completely blank page, other than the last page. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date the Canadian embassy receives your application
  • Your original study permit
  • Two recent, Canadian standard, passport style photographs. Full name and date of birth must be written in the back of each photo
  • The processing fees: $75.00 CAN for a single entry visa or $150.00 CAN for a multiple entries. Fees are to be paid by money order payable to the RECEIVER GENERAL OF CANADA (Cash is NOT accepted by mail)
  • Letter from the university (from the Registrar's Office is you are a degree student or from the TESL Centre if you are an English as a Second Language student) stating that you are a registered student and that you are in good academic standing
  • Financial statement from the university (from the Financial Aid & Awards Office if you are a degree student or from the TESL Centre if you are an English as a Second Language student) stating that you are in good financial standing
  • Your transcripts (marks) from all semesters since you started studying in Canada
  • Proof of financial means of support (your own or your Guarantor's)
  • Detailed travel plan outlining the reason (s) why you are applying for a visa

Processing fees are non-refundable if your application is refused, or if you apply for a multiple visa, but only a single is given, no part of the processing fees will be returned.

Mail-in applications are usually processed within a month. In some cases a personal interview may be required. If an interview is required, you must make your own arrangements to present yourself at the consulate for this purpose.

Mail the application including all required documents and the processing fees (money order) to:

Canadian Consulate General

Immigration Section

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY, USA

10020 - 1175

Visitor Status Renewal (extension):

Once you are in Canada as a visitor you can apply to extend (renew) your visitor status from within Canada. You should apply for an extension (renewal) of your status about two months before it expires.

NOTE: The international Centre offers Immigration Help Sessions to help students with their Study, Work and/or Visitor Applications. We strongly recommend our students to attend these sessions. Click here for the Immigration Help Sessions Schedule.

To apply for a renewal of your Visitor Status, you must submit the following - Click here for the Information Guide

Mail the application including all required documents and fee receipt to:

Citizenship & Immigration Canada -Visitor

Case Processing Centre

6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 303

Vegreville, AB

T9C 1W1

Working in Canada:

International students are eligible to work on campus, off-campus, during co-op work term and after graduation. Students require a work permit for off-campus, co-op and post-graduation work.

Social Insurance Number (SIN):

Regardless of the type of work, students require a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) before they can start working. Please refer to On-campus, Off-campus, Co-op and Post-Graduation Employment Programs for information on how to apply for a SIN number.

On-Campus Employment Program:

International students, with valid study permits, are allowed to work on the campus of the institution at which they are registered in full-time studies. Students are allowed to work part-time during the academic year and full-time during the summer.

Students do not need a work permit to work on campus, however they need a valid study permit and a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

You need a SIN number before you can start your On-Campus Work. To apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you must:

  • Have a valid passport
  • Have a valid study permit
  • Have a valid student ID Card from the university
  • Have a Contract of Employment or letter from the university (department hiring you) or the independent employer on campus, detailing the job's title, responsibilities, salary, commencement and completion dates, hours, and the fact that the student has accepted the offer. This Contract of Employment or letter must contain the employer's name and telephone number, must be signed by both the employer and the student, and must be printed on the university's (department hiring you) or the independent employer's letter head. Click here for the Contract of Employment

To apply for a SIN number you must go in person, with all the above documentation, to the Service Canada office in Halifax located at the Halifax Shopping Centre, Tower 2, 2nd floor, Tel: (902) 426-8119. Your Social Insurance Number card will have an expiry date. It will be valid until the end of your study permit, to a maximum of five years. You should apply to renew your SIN card before it expires (about one month before).

Off-Campus Employment Program:

International students are allowed to work off campus. Students need an Off-Campus Work Permit and a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work off campus.

To be eligible to apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit you must:

  • Complete 6 months of full-time study within the last 12 previous months before applying
  • Maintain a good academic standing (GPA). In Saint Mary's to be in good academic standing your GPA must be at least 1.70
  • Be enrolled in a participating university
  • Be registered full-time at the time of application, if applying during the academic year (Sep-April). Students applying during the summer do NOT have to be registered full-time or be registered at all to apply.

The following students are NOT eligible to apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit:

  • Recipients of awards and/or internships from The Government of Canada Awards Program, Canadian Commonwealth Scholarships Awards Program, and The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Awards Program
  • Visiting students
  • Exchange students
  • English and/or French as a second language students (for example; students studying English as a second language at our TESL Centre)
  • Students previously found to be non-compliant with the Off-Campus Work Program's regulations

If granted an Off-Campus Work Permit, students can work:

  • Up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions
  • Full-time during regular breaks (summer and winter holidays, reading week). Students can work anywhere in Canada during summer vacation and winter holidays

To apply for the Off-Campus Work Permit, you must do the following:

  • Open an Epass account with the government of Canada (follow the instructions). When you finish the system will take you to Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website to register for your MyCIC account ( follow the instructions).
  • Once in your MyCIC website, you must complete an online Eligibility Verification Number (EVN) Request. After you submit this online form, you will receive an email from Immigration Canada stating whether you are eligible to apply for an off-campus work permit.

If you are eligible to apply for an off-campus work permit, you will go to your MyCIC website to complete an online Temporary Resident Application to apply for your Off-Campus Work Permit.

NOTE: The international Centre offers Immigration Help Sessions to help students with their Study, Work and/or Visitor Applications. We strongly recommend our students to attend these sessions. Click here for the Immigration Help Sessions Schedule.

NOTE: At the Off-Campus Work Permit Help Sessions we help students to register for their Epass accounts and to complete their Off-Campus Work Permit Applications.

You need a SIN number before you can start your Off-Campus Work. To apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you must:

  • Have a valid passport
  • Have a valid Off-Campus Work Permit

To apply for a SIN number you must go in person, with all the above documentation, to the Service Canada office in Halifax located at the Halifax Shopping Centre, Tower 2, 2nd floor, Tel: (902) 426-8119. Your Social Insurance Number card will have an expiry date. It will be valid until the end of your Off-Campus Work Permit. You should apply to renew your SIN card before it expires (about one month before).

Off-Campus Work Permit Renewal (extension):

Students should extend (renew) their off-campus work permits about two months before it expires.

NOTE: The international Centre offers Immigration Help Sessions to help students with their Study, Work and/or Visitor Applications. We strongly recommend our students to attend these sessions. Click here for the Immigration Help Sessions Schedule.

NOTE: At the Off-Campus Work Permit Help Sessions we help students to register for their Epass accounts and to complete their Off-Campus Work Permit Applications.

Co-operative (Co-op) Employment Program:

Students enrolled in a co-op program are eligible to apply for an open work permit. Your intended employment must be essential part of your program of study in Canada and cannot form more than 50 percent of the total program of study. If the work permit is issued, the university will be listed as the employer.

To apply for a Co-op Work Permit, you must submit the following - Click here to the information guide

NOTE: To apply for a Co-op Work Permit is FREE of Charge

Mail the application including all required documents to:

Citizenship & Immigration Canada - Work Permit

Case Processing Centre

6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 777

Vegreville, AB

T9C 1X6

NOTE: The Co-Op Education Office will help you with your Co-Op Work Permit. Please contact them to make an appointment. Click link for their website http://www.smu.ca/administration/coop/

You need a SIN number before you can start your Co-op Work. To apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you must:

  • Have a valid passport
  • Have a valid Co-op Work Permit

To apply for a SIN number you must go in person, with all the above documentation, to the Service Canada office in Halifax located at the Halifax Shopping Centre, Tower 2, 2nd floor, Tel: (902) 426-8119. Your Social Insurance Number card will have an expiry date. It will be valid until the end of your Off-Campus Work Permit. You should apply to renew your SIN card before it expires (about one month before).

Post-Graduation Employment Program:

Students are allowed to work in Canada for up to three years after they successfully complete a university or community college degree program. You must submit an application for a work permit within 90 days of the completion or notification of completion of your program. Your study permit must be valid upon submission of your application for a work permit.

Students applying for a work permit under this Post-Graduation Employment Program, DO NOT require a confirmation letter from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), and DO NOT need a jo offer.

Students ARE NOT allowed to start their post-graduation employments until they are in possession of a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (unless they have a valid Off-Campus Work Permit, in which case they are allowed to work up to three months). Therefore, you ARE NOT allowed to start your post-graduation work while your Post-Graduation Work Permit application is in process (you must wait until you receive your Post-Graduation Work Permit), unless you have a valid Off-Campus Work Permit.

To obtain a post-graduation work permit, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must have studied full-time for the eight months preceding the completion of your specific program of studies
  • You must graduated from a post-secondary institution such as university or college
  • You must apply for the post-graduation work permit within 90 days after you complete your studies
  • You must have a valid study permit when you apply for the post-graduation work permit

You are not eligible for the post-graduation work permit if you:

  • Study in a program that is less than eight months long
  • Participated in a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
  • Participated in a Government of Canada Awards Program funded by DFAIT
  • Received funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
  • Participated in a distance learning program
  • Have previously been issued a post-graduation work permit following any other program of study

To be eligible for a three-year post-graduation work permit students must graduate from programs of study two years or longer. Students graduating from programs of study less than two years, but more that eight months, are eligible for post-graduation work permits no longer than their program of study (for example, students graduating from an eight-month certificate program would only be eligible for a post-graduation work permit of eight months). Students graduating from programs of study less than eight months are not eligible for the post-graduation work permit program.

NOTE: The international Centre offers Immigration Help Sessions to help students with their Study, Work and/or Visitor Applications. We strongly recommend our students to attend these sessions. Click here for the Immigration Help Sessions Schedule.

To apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must submit the following - Click here for the information guide

  • Letter from the Registrar's Office confirming that you have completed the requirements for your degree (notification of completion). You can also send a certified copy of your degree
  • All your transcripts (marks) for the completed program
  • Photocopies of passport pages clearly showing the passport number, dates of issue and expiry, name and date of birth, any stamps made by the Canadian authorities upon entry into Canada and any other marked pages. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date the Case Processing Centre receives your application
  • Photocopy of your valid study permit

Mail the application including all required documents and fee receipt to:

Citizenship & Immigration Canada - Work Permit

Case Processing Centre

6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 777

Vegreville, AB

T9C 1X6

You need a SIN number before you can start your Post-Graduate Work. To apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you must:

  • Have a valid passport
  • Have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit

To apply for a SIN number you must go in person, with all the above documentation, to the Service Canada office in Halifax located at the Halifax Shopping Centre, Tower 2, 2nd floor, Tel: (902) 426-8119. Your Social Insurance Number card will have an expiry date. It will be valid until the end of your Off-Campus Work Permit. You should apply to renew your SIN card before it expires (about one month before).

Post-Graduate Work Permit Renewal (extension):

Once you have a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you can apply to extend (renew) it within Canada. You should apply for an extension (renewal) of your work permit about two months before it expires.

NOTE: The international Centre offers Immigration Help Sessions to help students with their Study, Work and/or Visitor Applications. We strongly recommend our students to attend these sessions. Click here for the Immigration Help Sessions Schedule.

To apply for a renewal of your Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must submit the following - Click here for the information guide

 

  • Letter from the Registrar's Office confirming that you have completed the requirements for your degree (notification of completion). You can also send a certified copy of your degree
  • All your transcripts (marks) for the completed program
  • Photocopies of passport pages clearly showing the passport number, dates of issue and expiry, name and date of birth, any stamps made by the Canadian authorities upon entry into Canada and any other marked pages. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date the Case Processing Centre receives your application
  • Photocopy of your valid study permit

Mail the application including all required documents and fee receipt to:

Citizenship & Immigration Canada - Work Permit

Case Processing Centre

6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 777

Vegreville, AB

T9C 1X6

Other Employment Programs:

You can also apply for work permits if:

  • You are a student, scholar or scientist and your intended work is related to an approved research, educational or training programs. These work permits are issued under specific programs funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC), Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

OR

  • You are student and become temporarily destitute through circumstances beyond your control or beyond the control of any person whom you are dependent on for financial support to complete your studies. You must show proof that you are not able to obtain the money needed for daily expenses and that it is a temporary situation.

Go to Citizenship & Immigration Canada for more information on these other employment programs

Can my spouse or common-law partner work in Canada?

Spouses and common-law partners of full-time students are permitted to work in Canada during the time that their spouse is studying. The working spouse or common-law partner will require a work permit, which can be obtained within Canada. Spouses and common-law partners holding a valid work permit are not permitted to study.

To apply for a work permit spouses or common-law partner must submit the following

Please note that spouses or common-law partners of full-time students applying for a work permit DO NOT require a confirmation letter from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) or a job offer.

Mail the application including all required documents and fee receipt to:


Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Case Processing Centre

6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 101

Vegreville , Alberta
T9C 1X5

Please note that your spouse or common-law partner will also require a social insurance number (SIN).

To apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), your spouse or common-law partner must:

To apply for a SIN number your spouse or common-law must go in person, with all the above documentation, to the Service Canada office in Halifax located at the Halifax Shopping Centre, Tower 2, 2nd floor, Tel: (902) 426-8119. Your Social Insurance Number card will have an expiry date. It will be valid until the end of your work permit, to a maximum of five years. You should apply to renew your SIN card before it expires (about one month before).

Loss of Worker Status:

NOTE: This information ONLY applies to the Post-Graduate Work Permit

You will lose your worker status (out-of-status) if:

  • Your work permit expires while you are in Canada; and if you do not apply to extend (renew) it before it expires.

Once you are out-of-status, you have 90 days (three months), from the day your work permit expired, to apply for restoration of your worker status. The cost for the restoration of your worker status is $350 dollars ($200 for the restoration of the worker status + $150 for the issuance of the new work permit = $350 dollars).

If you do not apply to restore your worker status within the 90 days (three months), you will not be able to reapply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit again and you will have to leave Canada.

Back to top


This page last modified Monday, 07-Nov-2011 15:44:39 AST