Studying in Canada

More than 90,000 students come to study in Canada every year and even more come to Canada to learn English or French. Foreign students bring a rich culture to our classrooms. Your knowledge and skills are welcome in our schools.

In Canada, the provinces and territories have jurisdiction over education. For more detailed information on living and studying in a specific province or territory, contact the school where you wish to study. visit FaceBook

Studying in Canada: Information for educational institutions

You will find here information of specific use to educational institutions and organizations.

Partnering in the International Student Program

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) recognizes that the key to an effective and dynamic international student program is in strong partnerships with provincial educational authorities, institutions and organizations. For this reason CIC created the Advisory Committee on International Students and Immigration to bring together essential stakeholders in international education. In addition, CIC also works closely with other government departments, such as the Canada Border Services Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to develop coordinated strategies and promote international marketing efforts led by DFAIT.

The Partner Portal is available to educational institutions, provinces and territories that are participating in the Off-Campus Work Permit Program. From the Partner Portal, users will be able to access the Electronic Notification System (ENS).

The Quick Start Guide provides step-by-step instructions for designated institutional representatives on how to obtain a personal identification number in order to access ENS.

Keeping up to date on program changes

The content below is offered in PDF format. For more information or to download the appropriate viewer, check the Help page.

Find out the most recent changes to CIC policy and procedures by consulting the published operational bulletins, which are updated regularly.

CIC operational manuals are available online and are updated periodically. They detail how CIC processes all types of applications, including study permits (Overseas Processing (OP) Manual 12 (PDF, 350 KB)).

Information is also available about the concept of dual intent and how it is dealt with in the study permit process.

Working and immigration opportunities for students

International students and their spouses may be eligible to work in Canada during and after their studies through a number of work permit programs. Working in Canada can provide a source of income while they study, give them valuable work experience, help them make business contacts for the future, and even allow them to immigrate after their graduation.

If international students have work experience in Canada through work permit options available to graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions, they could qualify for permanent resident status in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class. This video explains how it works.

International students wishing to do volunteer work may require a work permit and an HRSDC confirmation. Read about what constitutes work and volunteer work. For guidelines regarding co-ops and internships, refer to section 5.10 of OP12 (PDF, 350 KB) and section 5.38 of FW 1 (PDF, 1,46 MB).

Applying for a study permit and online services

Most clients can now apply online for some CIC services. CIC’s e-suite of services allows clients in Canada to apply on-line for study permits, work permits, including the post-graduation work permit, and extensions to visitor visas.

This guide describes the Off-Campus Work Permit Program, its requirements and conditions, and the responsibilities of both students and designated institutional representatives. It also explains how to access and use ENS.

Find out what letters of acceptance (PDF, 678 KB) from institutions should include to avoid delays in processing. The letter of acceptance is the best tool to communicate concise and relevant information to the immigration officer about your program. Both originals and copies of letters of acceptance are accepted by immigration offices in Canada and abroad. If the letter of acceptance does not provide sufficient detail regarding the special nature of the program, include additional documents that do so. This may include a program description, the selection criteria, financial arrangements, scholarship and employment opportunities, etc. This will help the immigration officer to better understand the program the student has applied for.

Education agents

Educational institutions are invited to share with their agents the following best practices in order to protect students, to ensure the highest possible success rate and to avoid delays in the processing of applications:

• Apply early and be aware of processing times in Canada and at visa offices.
• Refrain from sending case status requests until after the processing times have been reached.
• Share all communications from institutions and CIC with clients.
• Ensure your students understand the “Use of representative (PDF, 36 KB)” form (IMM 5476) and the responsibilities and obligations required of third-party representatives.
• Be clear about additional service fees.
• Always act in the best interest of the student.
• Where a group of students will enter the same program in Canada, submit the applications together in a group submission. It can significantly reduce the amount of clerical work required in our office. Program description details (see above) need only be included once as part of a covering package.

Education agents should be aware that Bill C-35: An Act to Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act impacts student recruitment activities. Education agents who, for example, provide advice exclusively related to educational matters or services, such as directing someone to the CIC website for information on immigration programs or to access immigration application forms, will continue to be able to do so. However, people who previously provided paid advice on immigration matters related to student recruitment—such as applying for a study permit, a re-entry visa or a status extension—without being recognized as an authorized immigration representative will need to either seek authorization or refer relevant cases to an authorized representative who is:

• A member in good standing of the law society of a province or territory, including paralegals and students-at-law, if they act under the supervision of a lawyer or a notary in Quebec; or
• A member in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec; or
• A member in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.

A limited number of organizations that have an agreement with the Government of Canada—such as visa application centres—can provide services to assist people with an application under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. However, they are only authorized to provide the services specified in their agreement or arrangement.

Minor students

Use these guidelines to determine the immigration documents which minors who are foreign students should have when applying to your school.

CIC’s Teachers and Youth Web Corner provides teachers across the country with educational tools regarding citizenship, Canadian identity, multiculturalism and immigration while giving youth a fun path to learning.visit our site Future Concern or Face Book