Who can study without a permit

You don’t need a study permit if you’re coming to Canada for a program that lasts 6 months or less.

You may not need a study permit if you’re a family or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada that has been accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Your embassy can contact GAC to find out if you need one.

You don’t need a study permit if you’re a member of a foreign armed force (as part of either the military or a designated civilian personnel) from a country that is designated under the VFA and you’re on official duties in Canada.

You should be in possession of a letter of acceptance from Canada’s Department of National Defence.

If your family members, including minor children, want to study in Canada, they may need a study permit.

You don’t need a study permit if you have Registered Indian status in Canada, even if you’re a citizen of another country.

Minor children don’t need a study permit if

• they’re refugees or refugee claimants
• their parents are refugees or refugee claimants
• their parents are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
• they’re in Canada attending preschool, primary school or secondary school, and they are accompanied by a parent who is authorized to study or work in Canada
• they’re in Canada unaccompanied, and they’re attending preschool, primary school or secondary school

You don’t need a study permit to take French language and cultural integration courses in Quebec (linked page is available in French only). To be eligible for the courses, you need to be a temporary resident or asylum seeker in Canada.

If you’re taking settlement and integration courses offered by a provincial or territorial government to help you settle into Canada, you don’t need a study permit.

To be eligible to study without a study permit as a construction apprentice, you must meet all of the following criteria when you request your study permit exemption and once a decision has been made:

• You have a valid work permit.
• You have a job in an eligible construction occupation(opens in a new tab) .
• You have an apprenticeship agreement registered with the relevant provincial or territorial apprenticeship and certification authority.

Find out more about this temporary measure(opens in a new tab) .

You may be eligible to study without a study permit if you are in either of the following situations:

1. You have a valid work permit that you applied for on or before June 7, 2023.
2. You have been issued a letter authorizing you to work while we process your work permit extension application that was submitted on or before June 7, 2023.

Find out if you’re eligible.