Study permit fee exemption for minor children

Your dependent child may be exempt from paying the study permit processing fee ($150) if they

• have a parent who applied for an open work permit as an H-1B visa holder under the initial temporary policy on or before July 17, 2023
• are 17 years old or younger
• already applied for a work permit under the H-1B temporary measure
• apply for a study permit on or before September 26, 2024 Updated submission deadline ^{Footnote 1}
• are in Canada when they apply for a study permit

If your minor child is eligible for the study permit processing fee ($150) exemption, apply online through your IRCC secure account using the following instructions.

Step 1: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. Sign in to or create an IRCC secure account.

After you log in

1. Go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page. Click Apply to come to Canada.
2. On the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section.
3. Click on the Visitor visa, study and/or work permit button.
4. Complete the online questions for the minor child you're applying on behalf of. Make sure you answer these questions as follows:
   • Question: What would you like to do in Canada?
     • Answer: Study
   • Question: What is your current/territory of residence? If you are presently in Canada, you should select Canada.
     • Answer: Canada
   • Question: What is your current immigration status in Canada?
     • Answer: Worker
   • Question: Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who
     • holds a work permit or is applying for a work permit
     • (only spouses or common-law partners) holds a study permit and is a full-time student in a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligible program of study at a PGWP eligible designated learning institution
     • holds a temporary resident permit that is valid for 6 months or more
     • applied for permanent residence to an office in Canada and was determined to be eligible for permanent resident status (first stage approval) or
     • is subject of a removal order that is unenforceable
     • Answer: Yes
   • Question: Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?
     • Answer: No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application.

Continue answering the remaining questions to get your personalized document checklist.

Step 2: Complete the application

Upload the completed forms and required documents, along with any other supporting documents listed in the minor child's personalized document checklist. Make sure you do the following:

• Under the Proof of Fee Exemption section of the document checklist, upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the H-1B special measures for minors.”
• Identify yourself as an applicant under this temporary policy when filling out your Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM 5709] (opens in a new tab) by entering the following in the Coming into Canada section:
  • Question 2a) The original purpose for coming to Canada:
    • Select "Other."
  • Question 2b) Other:
    • Enter "H1BF."

Start your application

Who's eligible to apply on paper

You're only eligible to apply on paper for this policy if you have a disability that prevents you from applying online.