Canada is home to millions of people that are either current students or once came to Canada as students. Canada welcomes students from all walks of life and provides a safe, inclusive, and open environment for them to receive a world class education.

If you are thinking about studying in Canada, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible to study in Canada:

• You must secure an offer of studies from a designated learning institution
• Your program of study is more than 6 months
• You must demonstrate that you can financially support yourself while in Canada
• You have a legitimate reason to come to Canada
• You are admissible in Canada
• You will return to your home country after completing your studies

Student Directed Stream

Under the Student Directed Stream, you may have the opportunity to fast-track your study permit application. IRCC aims to complete processing of study permit applications under the student directed stream within 20 calendar days.

If you are in a hurry to apply for a study permit, you can benefit from the fast-track processing if you can demonstrate that you are eligible. In addition to meeting the general study permit requirements, you must also:

• Be a natural resident of one of the 14 countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vietnam)
• Live outside of Canada at the time you apply
• Have a guaranteed income certificate issued by a designated institution in the amount of $10,000
• Have achieved a minimum overall score under one of the language exams designated by IRCC. For example, under IELTS Academic, you need an overall result of 6
• To review which other language tests have been designated by IRCC under the SDS, please visit IRCC

Study Permit Extensions

If you are already studying in Canada and wish to extend your stay, you may be able to do