Study permits: Scholarship and award recipients

Global Affairs Canada’s international scholarship programs

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) administers and funds a number of scholarship programs allowing students from various countries to pursue studies or training in Canada. Because of the special sponsorship and funding arrangements, it can be assumed that students sponsored under these programs meet the requirements relating to acceptance, institution, course or program of study, language, and transportation. Sponsorship also indicates that sufficient funds are available for single students. Students with a spouse and other family member must have additional funds. Background inquiries and medical examinations are also required.

Refusals

If an applicant is found inadmissible, report the case to GAC.

Information sharing

GAC has the authorization from the applicants and/or the Privacy Commissioner to share personal information with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and to receive information from IRCC as required for the proper administration of the scholarship program under which they applied. GAC shares a list of awardees with officers at relevant missions to facilitate the review and adjudication of visa and study permit requests.

Management of visas and study permits and change of status

GAC scholarship programs are structured either to encourage scholars to return to the home country or specifically to attract talent to Canada, thereby requiring special attention by IRCC.

In the case of the Programme canadien de bourses de la Francophonie (PCBF), participants make a contractual commitment to GAC to return to their country of origin upon completion of the PCBF. When PCBF scholars use, renew or request an extension of their visa or study permit provided under the PCBF, or when they apply to change their status, IRCC officers should inform GAC to ensure that scholars respect their commitment under the PCBF. However, it should be noted that GAC does not issue derogation letters.

Access to student work programs

Students who are funded through these scholarships are not eligible to apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

Summary of scholarship programs involving GAC

Rotary exchange students

The Rotary International Youth Exchange program has been operational since the mid-1920s. It involves approximately 10 000 participants ranging in age from 15 to 18. Students live with Rotary families throughout the year and are financially supported by hosting Rotary clubs.

The program requires students to attend school for one year and includes sponsored events over the summer months after completion of the academic year. The study permit for Rotary exchange students should be valid until August 31 of the following year.

Students involved in this program require a study permit before entering Canada.

Other exchange programs

A number of exchange programs are sponsored by private organizations or educational institutions, which enable international students to attend Canadian schools and be hosted by Canadian families, and vice versa. In most cases, these students do not require a study permit since their length of stay is usually less than six months. Students participating in exchange programs and studying at the post-secondary level are not eligible to work on or off campus.