Other Important Information About Students
Study permit holders are required to actively pursue their studies. You should be enrolled in a full-time or occasionally part-time credit-load to be considered actively pursuing your studies. However, in order to work in Canada on a study permit, you will need to maintain full-time status. Full-time studies usually mean a minimum of 9 credits (3 courses) per semester.
If your study permit expires before finishing your program or you would like to continue studying in Canada, you must apply for renewal before the expiration of your study permit. Schools recommend you apply at least three months before the expiry of your status, to allow for processing time. If you apply for extension, you must stay in Canada and meet the conditions of your original study permit
If your study permit expires and you have not applied for an extension, you must apply for a restoration of status. You will have 90 days from the day your study permit expires to apply for this restoration. This application can only be done inside Canada and you will need to remain in the country until a decision is made on your application for restoration of status. You must stop studying and/or working immediately, as you will be considered out-of-status.
If you submit your application for renewal or a change in status before your current status expires, you are considered to be on "Implied status" until a decision has been made on your application. You must keep a copy of the documents proving that a status extension has been requested. In addition, if your status expires before a decision has been made, you will only be able to continue studying as long as you remain in Canada.
This rule only applies to applications for temporary residence. If you are applying for permanent residence, you will not be allowed to stay in Canada until a decision has been made, unless you have a valid temporary status as a visitor, student, or worker.
If you are studying in Quebec, you may also need to obtain a new Certificat D’acceptation Du Quebec/Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). As a general rule, if you require a study permit, you also require a CAQ.
You are not required to obtain a new study permit in order to transfer between educational institutions, study programs, or study levels. You may study in Canada as long as his or her study permit is valid.
As an International student, you are allowed to invite a spouse or common-law partner, or other members of your family, to join you in Canada. You can file an application for a work permit of your spouse or family member at the same time as your study permit application or the spouse or common-law partner may come to Canada as a visitor and then apply for a work permit after arrival..
Full-time students with a valid study permit can help their spouse or common-law partner apply for an open work permit. An open work permit will enable the spouse or common-law partner of the international student to work, and is usually valid for the entire length of the student's study permit. To be eligible for this program, the student must be studying full-time, and have a valid study permit at:
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A public post-secondary institution; or
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A private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution and receives half of its overall operations budget from government grants; or
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A private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees.
This open work permit allows its bearer to work for any employer in Canada, and does not require a job offer, or a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
If you or your spouse or common-law partner is already in Canada, your minor child may study without a study permit at the preschool, primary, or secondary level.
You can also invite your parent(s) to visit on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).