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

FAQ for Canadian Citizenship

Questions

1. What should I do if I move after I apply for citizenship?

You can change your address you can contact the Future Concern Call Centre. When you change your address, you will have to provide both your old andnew addresses.

2. How much does it cost to apply for Canadian citizenship?

The fee for adults is C$200, which includes a C$100 processing fee and a C$100 right of citizenship fee. For children under 18, there is a C$100 processing fee only.

3. What if my application is turned down? Will I get my money back?

If you do not meet all the requirements to become a Canadian citizen, we will send you a letter explaining the decision and what you can do next.
If an adult is not granted citizenship, we will refund the C$100 right of citizenship fee. However, the C$100 processing fee is non-refundable.
If a minor child is not granted citizenship, the C$100 processing fee is non-refundable.

4. Where can I find out the status of my citizenship application and the processing time?

For information about the status of your citizenship application, or to find out how long it takes to become a Canadian citizen, visit the Future Concern website  or Visit our Face Book.

5. Who has to write the citizenship test?

Only people between the ages of 18 and 54 must take the citizenship test (written or oral, or both). If you are 55 or older, you do not have to take the test, although you will be scheduled to appear at the local office for a review of your original documents (personal identification, immigration documents, etc.) you submitted with your application and your passport or travel documents relevant to the four years preceding your application. You may also be scheduled to appear for an interview with a citizenship judge. Children who are under 18 years of age at the time of application do not have to take the citizenship test.

6. Who has to take the oath of citizenship?

Applicants who are 14 and older must attend the citizenship ceremony to take the oath of citizenship, including applicants 55 or older. Children under the age of 14 are not required to take the oath of citizenship, although they are welcome to attend the ceremony.

7. I am still a citizen of another country. Will I lose that citizenship if I become a Canadian?

Under Canadian law, a Canadian is allowed to be a citizen of another country as well. Some countries, however, will not let you keep their citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. The consulate or embassy of your other country of citizenship can let you know if this applies to you.

8. What happens if I miss the citizenship test, my interview or the ceremony?

During the processing of your application, you must attend a series of events in order to meet all of the requirements to become a citizen. We will mail you notices telling you when and where to go for the citizenship test, interview (if applicable) and citizenship ceremony. All events take place in Canada. If you do not appear for any of these events, your file may be closed. You will then have to re-apply, pay the fees and go through the entire process again.
As a reminder, if you know in advance that you will be absent, please visit  Future Concern website  or Visit our Face Book. .

9. Could I be a Canadian citizen and not know it?

If you are uncertain about whether you are a Canadian citizen, we encourage you to use our online self-assessment tool before applying for a proof of Canadian citizenship.

In general, if you were born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen. If you were born in Canada after February 14, 1977, and at the time of your birth, your parents were not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and at least one parent had diplomatic status in Canada, you are not a citizen. If you were born in Canada before February 15, 1977, to a parent who was a foreign diplomat in Canada, contact Future Concern website  or Visit our Face Book. for more information on eligibility.

If you were born in another country

In general, you are a Canadian citizen if you became a citizen through the naturalization process in Canada (i.e., you were a permanent resident [a landed immigrant] before you became a citizen).
In general, you are a Canadian citizen if you were born outside Canada and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, and that parent was either born in Canada or naturalized in Canada (“naturalized” means that the parent was a permanent resident [a landed immigrant] before becoming a citizen). You are the first generation born outside Canada.
You may be a Canadian citizen if you were born outside Canada between January 1, 1947, and April 16, 2009, inclusive, to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent (you are the second or subsequent generation born outside Canada). If you think this may apply to you and you need more information, please visit Future Concern website  or Visit our Face Book.
If you were a British subject residing in Canada when the Canadian Citizenship Act came into force on January 1, 1947, or you were born outside Canada to a British subject parent who might have become a citizen on that date, contact us to find out how to confirm whether or not you are a citizen

How to become a Canadian citizen

To become a Canadian citizen

You must be a permanent resident of Canada and 18 years of age or older

Children under 18 years of age and persons adopted by Canadians can also become citizens, but they do not have to meet the same requirements as adults 

You must have lived here for at least three years

You must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the four years immediately before you apply for citizenship. For example, if you applied for citizenship on June 1, 2011, we would count back to June 1, 2007. Each day you lived in Canada AFTER you became a permanent resident counts as one day of residence. Each day you lived in Canada BEFORE you became a permanent resident counts as half a day of residence.

You must know English or French

Canada has two official languages — English and French. If you are applying as an adult and are between 18 and 54 years of age, you must successfully demonstrate an adequate knowledge of English or French to become a Canadian citizen. Adequate knowledge is defined as the ability to speak and understand basic statements and questions in the given language.

You must demonstrate knowledge of Canada

You must understand the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship, such as voting in elections, obeying the law, and helping others in the community. You must also demonstrate knowledge of Canada’s government, history, symbols and geography. If you are applying as an adult and are not yet 55 years of age, you will need to pass the citizenship test, which could be a written test or an interview with a citizenship judge. When we begin to process your application, we will send you an acknowledgement letter and a copy of the citizenship study guide Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. This guide will help you prepare for your citizenship written test and/or interview. The Guide is also available on our official website Future Concern and can be consulted any time.

Applying for children

Parents or persons who have custody may apply for citizenship on behalf of minor children (under 18 years of age). One parent, including an adoptive parent, must already be a Canadian citizen or must be applying to become a citizen at the same time. If a child has a Canadian legal guardian but no Canadian parent (natural or adoptive), the child is not eligible for citizenship. To become citizens, minor children need to be permanent residents but do not need to have lived in Canada for three years. Minor children do not have to write the citizenship test or meet the language requirement.

Citizenship for persons adopted outside Canada

Foreign-born persons adopted by a Canadian citizen on or after January 1, 1947 may be eligible for citizenship without having to either become permanent residents or live in Canada. For information on the citizenship process for adopted persons

Who cannot become a Canadian citizen

In general, you cannot become a Canadian citizen if:

• you are in prison, on parole or on probation (serving a sentence);
• in the past four years, you were in prison, on parole or on probation for more than a year;
• you were convicted of an indictable offence (a crime) under any Act of Parliament, or an offence under the Citizenship Act, in the three years preceding your application;
• you are currently charged with an indictable offence (a crime) under any Act of Parliament, or an offence under the Citizenship Act;
• you are under a removal order (instructed by Canadian officials to leave Canada);
• you are under investigation for, are charged with, or have been convicted of a war crime or a crime against humanity; or
• your Canadian citizenship has been taken away (revoked) in the past five years.

The items listed above are prohibitions—factors that could prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen. The application form contains questions on these prohibitions, and you must answer them truthfully when you apply for citizenship. If you think you may not qualify because you have been charged with a crime or you have a criminal record

How to apply to become a Canadian citizen

To apply to become a Canadian citizen, follow the six steps below.

1. Make sure you have the right application form

To apply to become a Canadian citizen, you must complete the appropriate application form and follow the instructions in the relevant guide.
If you are an adult (18 years of age or older), you must complete the “Application for Canadian Citizenship – Adults” form. If you are applying for your children (under 18 years of age), you must complete the “Application for Canadian Citizenship – Minors” form. A separate form must be completed for each child.

2. Read the application guide

Read the instructions in the application guide carefully; they will help you complete the citizenship application form.
Application processing fees are not refundable, so make sure you are eligible to become a citizen before you apply. See Question 3 at the end of this publication.

3. Complete the application form

The application form contains instructions. Read the instructions carefully. Complete the form, pay the fees, provide the required photographs and attach photocopies of the documents listed in the document checklist. The instruction guide will tell you how to complete the form and what documents you need to include. You will have to show the original documents at the time of your test and/or interview and at the ceremony.
If your documents are not in English or French, you must provide the originals, translations and an affidavit from the person who did each translation. Translations by family members are not acceptable.
Remember to:

• sign and date the form;
• include the receipt of payment (online receipt or IMM 5401 form);
• include your application form;
• include your photographs;
• include photocopies of all your documents; and
• provide the original translations of your documents, if applicable.

If you are applying for more than one person, you can submit all the forms and documents in the same envelope and they will be processed together. For example, family members who want their applications to be processed at the same time must send all applications in the same envelope. If they are sent in different envelopes, they will be processed separately. You may also provide one payment receipt for the entire family.

4. Mail the application form and documents

After you have completed the application form, mail it to:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Case Processing Centre
P.O. Box 7000
Sydney NS
B1P 6V6

Your application will be returned to you if:

• it is signed more than three months before we receive it;
• it is post-dated (dated into the future); or
• it is incomplete, missing information or missing the required documents listed in the document checklist.

5. Get ready for the test or interview

Once we begin processing your application, we will send you a copy of Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, the citizenship study guide. The study guide is also available on Future Concern website at www.Future-Concern.com, or Visit Face Book where you can:

• download it as a PDF, eBook or mobile app;
• listen to the audio; or
• order a printed copy.

Start studying as soon as possible to prepare for your citizenship test or possible subsequent interview. If you meet the basic requirements for citizenship and you are between the ages of 18 and 54, we will send you a “Notice to Appear to Write a Citizenship Test” or a “Notice to Appear – Hearing with a Citizenship Judge” telling you the location, date and time of your test or interview.
When you come for the written test or interview, you must bring the originals (personal identification, immigration documents, etc.) of the photocopies you submitted with your application and all your passports or travel documents relevant to the four years preceding your application. The citizenship test and/or subsequent interview with the citizenship judge will assess your knowledge of Canada and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

6. Take the oath of citizenship at a citizenship ceremony

The citizenship ceremony is legally and symbolically important. At the ceremony, new citizens are formally welcomed into the Canadian family and they formally accept the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.
If you meet all the requirements to become a Canadian citizen, we will send you a “Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship” telling you when and where your citizenship ceremony will take place. All citizenship candidates 14 years and older are required to show their faces when they take the oath of citizenship to demonstrate that they are speaking aloud the words of the oath. At the ceremony, you may choose to either swear on a holy book or to affirm the oath of citizenship. Swearing is for people who would like to refer to their religious beliefs, while affirming is for those who do not want to use a holy book during the ceremony. If you want to swear the oath of citizenship on a holy book of your choice, please bring it with you to the ceremony.
You must bring all original immigration documents in your possession to the citizenship ceremony. If you have a permanent resident card, you must bring it. If you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2002, you must bring your immigration Record of Landing (IMM 1000). If you have both of these documents, bring both of them to the ceremony.
Once you have taken the oath at a citizenship ceremony, you will be a Canadian citizen. You will also receive your citizenship certificate. It is neither a travel document nor an identity document. Any Canadian citizen wanting to travel outside Canada must obtain a Canadian passport.

For more Information please visit Future Concern, or Visit Face Book