A study permit application is judged on whether your plan makes sense: the program, the school, your background, how you’ll pay, and what you intend to do afterwards. If you or your child may want to stay in Canada after graduating, that has to be part of the plan from the start, because not every program leads to the same options.
Pathways
Getting accepted and applying
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC
To study in Canada you must be enrolled at a designated learning institution, show you can pay tuition, living costs and return transport, be law-abiding and in good health, and satisfy the officer you’ll leave when your permit expires. Funds must cover at least the first year without relying on work in Canada. As of October 13, 2026, most applicants also need a provincial or territorial attestation letter, and letters issued for the 2026 cap year are valid until December 31, 2026 (IRCC – Provincial attestation letter: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html). As of October 13, 2026, IRCC publishes a dated table of minimum living-expense funds for applications made on or after September 1, 2026 (outside Quebec), updated yearly and separate from tuition and travel (IRCC – Financial support: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html).
Studying as a minor
Framing: a child studying in Canada, with or without a parent here.
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC
Children under 17 must come with a parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada. Some children already in Canada can study without a permit, for example from preschool to secondary school when accompanied by a parent who is authorized to work or study. A child studying without a permit must hold valid visitor status.
Working while you study
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC
As of October 13, 2026, students may work off campus without a work permit only if they meet conditions that include full-time study at a designated institution in a program of six months or more, and they may work up to 24 hours a week during regular terms; working more breaks the permit conditions (IRCC – Work off campus: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-off-campus.html).
After graduation
Framing: what your program choice means for working and staying after you finish.
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC · Post-graduation work permit
As of October 13, 2026, general eligibility requires completing a program of at least eight months at an eligible institution, studying full time, and applying within 180 days of confirmation of completion; degree graduates have no field-of-study requirement, while college graduates whose study permit application was made on or after November 1, 2024 must graduate in an eligible field (IRCC – After graduation: eligibility: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html).
Bringing family
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC
As of October 13, 2026, a student’s spouse or partner may get an open work permit only if the student is in certain programs, such as a master’s of 16 months or more, a doctoral program or listed professional degrees, and the permit usually matches the length of the study permit (IRCC – Help your spouse common law partner work Canada: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/help-your-spouse-common-law-partner-work-canada.html). Accompanying children may be able to attend school without a study permit.
Questions people in your situation ask
- Can my child study here and later stay? Possibly. It depends on the program and on post-graduation Official Government of Canada, Provincial and/or Territorial Requirements that have changed often (see “After graduation”). We’d look at the specific program before you commit to tuition.
- Can I bring my spouse? It depends on your program (see “Bringing family”).
- I was refused before. Can I reapply? Many people do reapply. What matters is addressing the reasons given for the refusal. → Practitioner note below.
Official Government of Canada, Provincial and/or Territorial Requirements: official sources
- IRCC, “Study permit: who can apply” (IRCC – Study permit: eligibility: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/eligibility.html)
- IRCC, “Proof of financial support” (IRCC – Financial support: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html)
- IRCC, “Work off campus” and “Post-graduation work permit” (canada.ca, Study in Canada › Work)
- IRCC, “Studying in Canada as a minor” and “Who can study without a permit” (canada.ca, Study permit)
Related
- Work permits → Work permits
- Express Entry → Express Entry
- Visitor visas → Visitor visas
Common questions
Answers from the Team of Sean G. McKinsley and Kimberly J. White, two Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants working together as co-counsel. Every case is different; for advice on yours, book a consultation.
Does the team help with visitor visas and study permits?
Yes. We advise on visitor visas, visitor records and extensions, super visas for parents and grandparents, and study permits, including what a study permit applicant must show and how temporary status can lead to other options. We look at the purpose of your stay, your ties and your evidence before you apply, so you know the risks first. See Visitor visas and Study permits.
More answers: All common questions
Your RCIC team
RCIC · CICC R529731
Verify on the CICC register (Sean G. McKinsley) (register.college-ic.ca)
RCIC · CICC R712483
Verify on the CICC register (Kimberly J. White) (register.college-ic.ca)
Sean G. McKinsley, RCIC, our senior practitioner, conducts your first video consultation.
Check your study plan before you commit to tuition.
No outcome is guaranteed. IRCC decides every study permit application.