Get help to cancel an application submitted online in the Help Centre.
Your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) Book your biometrics collection appointment as soon as you can to avoid processing delays. Find out how to give biometrics.
You may also need to get a:
If you weren’t able to submit all the required documents with your application, you can submit the missing documents through your online account or our web form.
We won’t process your study permit until you’ve submitted a complete application. Waiting to submit documents will cause delays in processing.
If you move or change your address, telephone number or any other contact information after you apply, you must update your application.
Use the application status tracker (opens in a new tab) to get updates about your application. To create an account you need your
You’ll get your study permit
We’ll send you a port of entry letter of introduction that says you’re allowed to study in Canada. This letter is not your study permit.
You need to bring this letter with you and show it to a border services officer when you arrive in Canada. We’ll also send you an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) to enter Canada, if you need one.
If you’re from a country where you need an eTA, the letter of introduction will include information about your eTA. Your eTA will be linked to your passport and is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It’s important that you travel with the passport you used when you applied for your study permit.
If you’re from a country where you need a visitor visa, the visa will be in your passport. It’ll show if you can enter Canada once or multiple times. You must enter Canada before your visa expires.
If you’re a lawful permanent resident of the United States, travel with a valid green card (or equivalent official proof of status in the U.S.) and a valid passport from your country of nationality (or an equivalent document).
We’ll mail your study permit to the Canadian address you included in your application.
In this case, you filled out the form called Application for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada [IMM 1294]. If your application is approved, you’ll get an approval letter that says you’re allowed to study in Canada. This letter is called the port of entry letter of introduction.
Once you have this letter, you must leave and ask to get your study permit on return to Canada.
Co-op work permits
If you applied for a co-op work permit as part of your study permit application and you only received your study permit, follow the instructions for how to apply as a co-op student or intern.
We’ll send you a letter explaining why.
We may refuse your application if you don’t
If you have questions about why you were refused, contact the visa office that sent you the refusal letter.
Valid status in Canada
If you have a study permit or a work permit, you have valid status until the date of expiry on your permit.
If you’re a visitor in Canada and you have a visitor record, you have valid status until the date your visitor record expires. If you don’t have a visitor record, you normally have valid status for 6 months from the day you entered Canada.
