Study permit
Statutory definition
(1) A foreign national may not enter Canada to study without first obtaining a study permit.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a foreign national who is authorized under section 188 or 189 to study in Canada without a study permit.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, SOR/2002-227, s 9
Explanation
A study permit is issued under IRPR s 216 and authorises a foreign national to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. DLIs are post-secondary institutions and select primary and secondary schools approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.
Study permits issued after November 2014 generally include an automatic work authorisation allowing the holder to work on or off campus for up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks, provided the holder meets the conditions in IRPR s 186(v) and (w).
How this term is used
A study permit expires on the date specified, typically aligned with the end of the program of study plus a 90-day grace period. Students who complete a post-secondary program of at least eight months are generally eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which provides open work authorisation and can serve as a pathway to permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class. Sections 188 and 189 of the IRPR list persons who may study without a permit, including those enrolled in courses of six months or less.