A study permit is more than just permission to study in Canada, it comes with specific conditions you must follow throughout your stay. Understanding and complying with these terms is essential to maintain your legal status, remain eligible for work permits, and ensure a successful educational experience in Canada.

What Is a Study Permit?

A study permit is an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that authorizes foreign nationals to study at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada. It serves as your legal authorization to remain in Canada for the duration of your studies, plus an additional 90 days after program completion.

A study permit is not a visa. If you need a visa to enter Canada, it will be issued separately and appear in your passport.

Mandatory Study Permit Conditions

1. Enrollment at a Designated Learning Institution

You must be actively enrolled at a DLI and continue studying throughout your authorized stay in Canada.

Key requirements:

  • Your DLI must maintain its designation status—if your school loses DLI status, you must transfer to another DLI

  • You cannot take breaks exceeding 150 consecutive days from active study

  • "Active study" means being enrolled in and attending courses during regular academic terms

The 150-day rule: If you approach 150 days without actively pursuing studies for any reason (medical leave, personal circumstances, program gaps), you must:

  • Change your status to visitor before the 150-day threshold, or

  • Leave Canada and return when you can resume studies

Exceeding 150 days without active study can result in losing your study permit status.

2. Make Academic Progress

You must make reasonable progress toward completing your program of study. This means:

  • Attending classes regularly

  • Completing assignments and examinations

  • Passing courses at a reasonable rate

  • Following your program's prescribed course sequence

What does "reasonable progress" means?

While IRCC doesn't define an exact passing rate, repeatedly failing courses or making no progress toward graduation may be considered non-compliance. Your institution may report poor academic standing to IRCC.

3. Maintain Full-Time Student Status

International students must enroll as full-time students during all regular academic terms.

What qualifies as full-time:

  • IRCC does not specify a minimum number of courses

  • Your DLI defines full-time status based on their institutional policies

  • Most Canadian institutions consider 9 credit hours (or 3-4 courses) per term as full-time

  • Graduate students conducting thesis research may have different requirements

You may study part-time during your final academic term if you need fewer courses to complete your program.
Scheduled breaks: You are not required to study during official scheduled breaks (summer, winter, spring) as listed in your institution's academic calendar.

4. Comply with All Canadian Laws

You must obey all federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal laws while in Canada.

Consequences of criminal activity:

  • Any criminal conviction can make you inadmissible to Canada

  • Violations may result in immediate study permit cancellation

  • Criminal inadmissibility can affect future immigration applications

  • Serious offenses can lead to deportation

This includes traffic laws, alcohol and drug laws, employment regulations, and all other legal requirements.

Work Authorization on a Study Permit

Off-Campus Work Eligibility

Most post-secondary study permit holders can work off-campus without a separate work permit if they meet these conditions:

  • Enrolled full-time at a post-secondary DLI

  • In a program lasting at least 6 months leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate

  • Have started their program of study

Current work hour limits:

  • During academic sessions: Up to 24 hours per week (recently increased from 20 hours)

  • During scheduled breaks: Full-time hours with no limit (summer, winter, spring breaks as per your school's calendar)

Important clarifications:

  • You cannot declare any term a "break term" just to work full-time

  • Only official scheduled breaks listed in your institution's academic calendar qualify for full-time work

  • Breaks between programs or after graduation follow different rules

On-Campus Work

Study permit holders can work unlimited hours on campus at the institution where they are enrolled, without restrictions during academic terms or breaks.

Co-op and Internship Work

If your program includes mandatory work placements, co-op terms, or internships:

  • These must be listed on your study permit

  • You may need a co-op work permit in addition to your study permit

  • The work must be essential to completing your program

Unauthorized Work is Prohibited

Working beyond permitted hours, working off-campus without eligibility, or working for employers not authorized on your permit constitutes unauthorized work and can result in:

  • Study permit cancellation

  • Deportation

  • Ineligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

  • Future immigration application refusals

Study Permit Validity and Renewal

Validity Period

Your study permit is typically valid for:

  • The length of your academic program, plus

  • An additional 90 days after completion

The 90-day grace period allows you to:

  • Prepare to leave Canada, or

  • Apply to extend your stay (for further studies or work permit), or

  • Apply for permanent residence if eligible

Extending Your Study Permit

When to apply: Apply at least 3-4 months before your current study permit expires.

You must apply before expiry to:

  • Maintain valid status

  • Continue studying legally

  • Remain eligible to work (if applicable)

  • Avoid complications with future applications

If your permit expires before you apply: You have 90 days to apply for restoration of your status, but you cannot study or work during this period and must pay additional fees.

Program Completion Date Changes

If your program will take longer than originally indicated:

  • Obtain a new letter from your DLI confirming the extended completion date

  • Apply to extend your study permit before it expires

  • Provide reasons for the extension (program requirements, academic challenges, etc.)

Conditions Printed on Your Study Permit

Your physical study permit document contains specific conditions unique to your situation. Always review and understand what is printed on your permit.

Common conditions include:

  • The DLI you are authorized to attend (DLI number listed)

  • Whether you are authorized to work off-campus

  • Whether you need a separate work permit for co-op or internship

  • Expiry date of your authorization

  • Any special restrictions or requirements

If conditions need to change (such as changing schools or adding co-op authorization), you must apply to amend your study permit.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with study permit conditions has serious consequences:

Immediate Consequences

  • Study permit cancellation - You lose authorization to remain in Canada as a student

  • Departure order - You may be required to leave Canada immediately

  • Loss of work authorization - You can no longer work on or off-campus

  • Removal from Canada - Serious violations can result in deportation

Future Immigration Consequences

  • Ineligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) - Non-compliance makes you ineligible under R222(1)

  • Refusal of future applications - Study permit renewals, work permits, or permanent residence applications may be refused

  • Inadmissibility - You may be barred from returning to Canada

  • Misrepresentation concerns - Intentional violations can be considered misrepresentation

Academic Consequences

Your DLI may also impose consequences:

  • Academic probation or suspension

  • Dismissal from your program

  • Reporting to IRCC of your non-compliance

  • Refusal to issue letters for future applications

Maintaining Compliance: Best Practices

Track Your Status

  • Know your study permit expiry date

  • Set reminders to apply for renewal 4 months in advance

  • Monitor your academic progress and enrollment status

  • Track your work hours carefully

  • Keep copies of all documents

Stay Informed

  • Review your study permit conditions regularly

  • Understand your DLI's definition of full-time status

  • Know your institution's academic calendar for scheduled breaks

  • Stay updated on IRCC policy changes

  • Check your DLI's status periodically

Communicate Proactively

  • Inform your international student office of any issues

  • Contact IRCC if you have questions about your conditions

  • Seek advice before making changes (school, program, work)

  • Report address changes to IRCC within required timeframes

  • Notify your DLI if you need to take a leave of absence

Document Everything

  • Keep all correspondence with IRCC and your DLI

  • Maintain proof of enrollment and academic progress

  • Save transcripts, course schedules, and academic calendars

  • Record work hours and pay stubs

  • Preserve evidence of compliance with all conditions

When to Seek Professional Help

Consult an immigration professional if:

  • You risk exceeding the 150-day study break

  • You are facing academic dismissal or suspension

  • You have worked unauthorized hours

  • Your study permit has expired or is about to expire

  • Your DLI has lost its designation

  • You need to change schools or programs

  • You are unsure whether you are in compliance

  • You have been contacted by IRCC about compliance concerns

Key Reminders

  1. Read your study permit carefully - Understand all conditions printed on your document

  2. Maintain enrollment - Stay enrolled full-time at your DLI and make academic progress

  3. Respect the 150-day limit - Don't take extended breaks from studying without changing your status

  4. Follow work restrictions - Only work the authorized hours during academic sessions

  5. Renew early - Apply for study permit extension 3-4 months before expiry

  6. Stay compliant - Any violation can affect your current status and future immigration opportunities

  7. Keep informed - Regularly check your DLI's status and IRCC policy updates

Your study permit is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. By understanding and following these conditions, you protect your legal status in Canada and maximize your opportunities for success during and after your studies.