Study in Canada without a Study Permit

All foreign nationals must apply for a study permit if they want to engage in academic, professional, vocational, or other education or training in Canada that is more than 6 months in duration at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). However, there are instances where foreign nationals are exempted from the study permit requirement and can attend an educational program in Canada without obtaining a Study Permit.

Some activities, though educational in nature, are not regarded as studies for the purposes of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Because these activities do not amount to “studies” you do not require a study permit if you or your child choose to attend:

Pre-school (pre-kindergarten)

If the parent in Canada has valid temporary resident status and is authorized to work or study, their accompanying minor child in Canada is authorized to study without a study permit at the pre-school level.

Courses of general interest or self-improvement

What is a general interest or self-improvement course? Typically, a general interest or self-improvement course means a course that you take for non-academic reasons and purely out of self-interest and for self-improvement. Think of a time management course, a yoga course, or a painting course - these are the perfect examples of a general interest or self-improvement course. You do not need a Study Permit in Canada if you enroll in a general interest or self-improvement course.

Distance learning through e-learning, correspondence, or internet courses

Do you need a Study Permit for an online course in Canada? The answer depends on several factors:

  • As a rule of thumb, since typically you’re not required to be physically present in Canada for an online course (even if it’s longer than 6 months), you do not need a Study Permit.

  • However, if your distance learning course includes an in-Canada portion or if the overall course of study is greater than 6 months, then you would need to apply for a Study Permit for the in-Canada portion of the program. The duration of your Study Permit should be for the duration of the in-Canada portion only. So, for example, if you take an online course that is 6 months long and requires you to complete part of the learning process, or write your final exams in Canada, you will need to get a Study Permit for the duration of the in-Canada part of your course.

Audited courses

If you’re particularly interested in the subject but don't want to prepare any assignments, write papers, tests, or exams you may apply for a course as an auditing student. When auditing a course you are allowed to attend the class but you will not receive any credit or grade for the course. Typically audited courses appear on your transcript with the notation "AU" and may show a potential employer that you have a high degree of interest and commitment to the area of your studies. Audited courses are not considered studies for the purposes of IRPA, and as such you do not need a study permit to take an audited course.

Activities not considered as studies in Canada

Minor children inside Canada

Minor children who are already inside Canada are authorized to study without a study permit at the pre-school, primary or secondary level if

  • they are either accompanying parents claiming refugee status or are claimants themselves;

  • one of their parents is a Canadian citizen or PR in Canada

  • one of their parents is authorized to work or study in Canada; this includes temporary residents who hold a work permit, or a study permit, or who are in a visitor status and are authorized to work or study without a permit; or

  • neither of their parents is physically in Canada.

If a minor child is accompanying a parent who is a temporary resident (for example, a visitor) and who is not authorized to work or study in Canada, the minor child will require a Study Permit to study in Canada at the pre-school, primary or secondary level.

Also, if the minor child is not yet inside Canada and they want to accompany a parent who is authorized to work or study in Canada, their parent should apply for a study permit for their child before attempting to travel to Canada.

Study Permit exemptions

Anyone under the age of majority at the time of their arrival in Canada is considered to be a minor child.
The age of majority differs from province to province:

  • Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan - the age of majority is 18;

  • British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon - the age of majority is 19.

You may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a Study Permit in Canada if you fit one of the categories below:

Family members and members of the private staff of accredited foreign representatives

Family members or members of the private staff of a foreign representative, accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), who is in Canada to carry out official duties as a diplomatic agent, consular officer, representative or official of a country other than Canada, of the UN, or any of its agencies, or of any international organization of which Canada is a member do not require a study permit.

This means that dependent children under 19 years of age who are considered members of the family forming part of the representative’s household do not require a study permit. Children from 19 to 24 years of age are only issued an acceptance counterfoil and will be allowed to study in Canada only if they are registered as full-time students.

Members of the armed forces of a country designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act

Members of the armed forces of certain countries coming to Canada to participate in a training that is longer than 6 months are exempt from a study permit requirement. They are also exempt from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa (TRV), eTA, and medical examinations.

You attend a short course or program that is less than 6 months in duration

Do you need a Study Permit for a part-time or full-time course or program that is less than 6 months in duration? The general answer is - No, you don’t need a Study Permit if the duration of the course or program of study is 6 months or less but only if you can complete this program of studies within the time period initially authorized for your stay inside Canada.

Also, you still may want to apply for a Study Permit even if your program is less than 6 months long. Having a study permit for short-term courses in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) enables you to renew or change the conditions of your study permit from inside Canada if you want to complete further studies. Having a Study Permit may also make you eligible to participate in work programs that are available to international students.