A study permit is an immigration document issued by the Canadian government. It allows you to be in Canada and to study. It can also allow you to work, if you meet the eligibility requirements (see the “Working in Canada” section for more information). 

See a sample study permit 

Who needs a study permit 

Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada must have a study permit if they plan to study at Brock (or another Designated Learning Institution (DLI)) for more than 6 months. 

Who does NOT need a study permit  

Students that will study at Brock for less than 6 months (eg. 1-term exchange or 1-session English-language) are not required to have a study permit BUT may choose to apply for one. Note: A study permit may allow for on or off-campus work and makes it easier to extend studies in Canada. 

 Even if a study permit is not required, most visitors will require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada (see the “Temporary Resident (Entry) Visa” section for more information). 

Study permit applications can take months to be processed. It is a good idea to apply as soon as you have your proof of admission to Brock!

Want to know the current study permit processing times? Check out IRCC’s Processing Times here. Just note that this is the general processing time and that it could vary by country.

• Select: “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)” > “Study permit (from outside Canada)”

NOTICE: Check the December 7th 2023 news release for updated information on study permit application requirements.

If you are applying for a study permit, you must apply online, whether you’re outside of Canada or already in Canada.

• You’re only eligible to apply on paper if you:
  • have a disability that prevents you from applying online
  • hold an identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons

Please note that application requirements depend on how and where you are applying. See IRCC details about the study permit application process. 

• Citizens and permanent residents of the United States have the option of applying for a study permit when they enter Canada (processed immediately).  

• Brock University’s DLI# is: O19394569014. This number must be included in a study permit application. 

After applying 

• Successful applicants for a study permit from outside Canada will automatically receive a Temporary Resident (Entry) Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if their citizenship requires it. No separate application is required. 
• Successful applicants should receive a ‘Port of Entry Introduction Letter’. This letter must be presented to Canadian immigration officials when entering Canada to get the actual study permit issued. Do not leave the airport before getting the study permit. 

It is recommended to submit the application at least one month plus the current approximate processing time before the current permit expires. 

The date and time of receipt are important for determining if status is maintained under subsection R183(5). For electronic applications, the department uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) around the world to ensure that time is equal for all.

• Therefore, receipt dates and times do not depend on time zones; all applications must be submitted before midnight UTC on the date the applicant’s status expires.
• If the application was received after midnight UTC on the date of expiry, the applicant does not maintain their status under subsection R183(5).

A study permit application can be submitted within Canada by someone that is already in Canada with:  

• A study permit or work permit; OR, 
• Visitor status AND: 
  • A spouse/partner in Canada with a work or study permit; OR, 
  • Is an exchange student; OR, 
  • Is a visiting student

See IRCC details about applying to extend student status in Canada. 

• It is recommended to submit the application at least one month plus the current approximate processing time before the current permit expires. 
• Continuing students must include proof of current enrolment (along with other documents).
  

Students transferring to Brock  

From Canadian colleges or universities:  

• Must notify IRCC about their change of institution. This can be done online through your account on the IRCC site. 

From Canadian high schools: 

• Must have a valid study permit. Can use high school study permit until its expiry date, but it is wise to apply for a post-secondary study permit as soon as possible. 

Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs)
Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) (sometimes called visitor visas) are required by citizens of some countries that want to travel to Canada. They are stickers placed on the page of a passport by Canadian immigration officials before travelling to Canada.  

• The expiry date on the TRV indicates the deadline for you to enter Canada. It is not the last day that you are allowed to stay in Canada. The last day you are allowed to stay in Canada is the expiry date of your permit. See the “Studying in Canada” section of this page for more information. 
• The TRV does not need to be renewed when it expires unless you are planning to leave and then re-enter Canada. 
• Unless otherwise noted, TRVs are valid for multiple entries. 
• If you hold a valid study permit (or work permit), you do not need a TRV to come back to Canada following a visit only to the United States IF you return before the expiry date of your study permit (or work permit). 

Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs)
Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs) are required by citizens of most visa-exempt countries that want to fly into Canada. There is no physical sticker, the eTA is just associated with the passport number. 

• If you do not have a TRV in your passport, you may be from a country that is exempt from the TRV requirement. Check the IRCC site to see if you need a TRV, an eTA, or neither. 
• An eTA costs $7 CAD and is valid for 5 years or until the expiry of your passport (whichever comes first). 
• Applications are made online and require a valid passport, e-mail address, and credit card. In most cases, an eTA will be issued in minutes. 
• Successful applications for study or work permits automatically include an eTA for those whose citizenship requires one. 

If you submit a successful application for a study permit outside of Canada (and your citizenship requires you to have a TRV or eTA), it will be issued with your letter of introduction. It is not necessary to submit a separate application.  

If you already have a study permit (or work permit) but your TRV has expired, or if you do not require a study permit (because you will study for less than 6 months), you need to apply for a TRV. 

How to apply for a TRV 

• See IRCC details about applying for a TRV. 
• Along with other documents, continuing students must include proof of current enrolment (please see below the “Request Brock Documents” section). 
• Applications can be processed inside or outside of Canada. Though the application can be made online, immigration officials will require the passport to place the visa in it. This can require extra time. 

How long will it take to get a TRV approve 

Expected processing times are published by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Select: “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)” > “Visitor visa (from outside Canada)”  > name of country from where you are applying. 

Undergraduate/Graduate students 

• Request Confirmation of Enrollment Letter via my.brocku.ca. It is important that you select the correct academic year of study and session for which you are requesting the letter. 
• Brock Central @ the Registrar’s Office (3rd floor, Schmon Tower) can assist you with questions about the document.
• If you are part-time or not enrolled, please reach out isa@brocku.ca immediately.

ESL/IELP Students 

ESL/IELP students should request an Enrollment Letter/Attendance Letter from the ESL Services (GLN_B 208, Information Desk on the 2nd floor of the International Centre).

Undergraduate/Graduate students 

• For Visa application: Request transcripts via my.brocku.ca. Please note: don’t select “hold for official marks” unless you’re finishing the term and you don’t need the transcript right away. 
• For PGWP application: Request final transcript via my.brocku.ca. Please note: by selecting “hold for official marks”, you will receive the final transcript once the final marks become official. 
• Brock Central @ the Registrar’s Office (3rd floor, Schmon Tower) can assist you with questions about the document.  

ESL/IELP Students 

ESL/IELP students should request transcripts from the ESL Services (GLN_B 208, Information Desk on the 2nd floor of the International Centre). 

Undergraduate students 

• Request Eligibility to Graduate letter via my.brocku.ca. Please note: this letter is available before the convocation. It should be requested after the final marks become official. 

• Brock Central @ the Registrar’s Office (3rd floor, Schmon Tower) can assist you with questions about the document.

Graduate students 

• Request Post Graduation Work Permit Letter via my.brocku.ca.   

• The Faculty of Graduate Studies office (MC D250) can assist you with questions about the document. 

On campus 

Students can work on campus if they: 

• are enrolled full-time, 
• have a valid study permit (with conditions/remarks allowing work) and, 
• have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). 

 IRCC does not limit the number of hours an eligible student can work on campus. 

Off campus 

Students can work off campus if they: 

• are enrolled full-time in an academic, vocational or professional program (does not include ESL/IELP) that is at least 6 months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate, 

• have a valid study permit (with conditions/remarks allowing off-campus work) and, 
• have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). 

 Full-time enrollment is different for graduate and undergraduate students, please refer to “Academic Regulations” in Brock Calendars.  

IRCC limits off-campus work to no more than 20hrs/week during study periods. Eligible students can only work more than 20hrs/week during “scheduled breaks”. This is when the university/program can document that students are not required to be taking courses (eg. reading week, winter closure). Most undergraduate programs have a scheduled break in the spring/summer. 

Co-op/Internship work permit 

NOTE: If you plan to work in areas where the protection of public health is essential, like with children or in a medical environment where you will have contact with patients, you may need to take an immigration medical exam.

This co-op/internship work permit program allows international students to participate in Canadian programs of study that require a co-op, internship, or other kind of placement (paid or unpaid).  

• The work permit application requires proof that the work placement is a requirement for all students in the program. That means optional work placements are not eligible.  
• There is no application fee for the co-op/internship work permit because the work is a requirement of the Canadian program of study. 
• The work permit can be requested as part of a study permit application, or a separate application can be submitted if the work requirement is confirmed after starting the program. 
• See IRCC details about applying for a co-op/internship work permit. 

 If you have been offered an ‘internship’ as a summer job, but it is not a requirement of your program, you may be able to complete it using the on/off-campus work rules noted above.

Spousal open work permit 

Accompanying spouses and partners of international students are eligible to request a work permit if they want the right to work in Canada.  

• This can be requested along with an initial study permit application or can be requested after a spouse or partner arrives in Canada. 
• If your spouse/partner has an open work permit and you are about to graduate and apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), make an appointment with the International Student Advisor to discuss important considerations about that transition.

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) 

NOTICE: Check the December 7th 2023 news release for updated eligibility in respect to online studies and extensions to PGWP.

This is an opportunity for students that successfully complete a qualifying program of study in Canada to get a work permit for up to 3 years. 

• The length of the permit depends on the length of the qualifying program. Usually, programs between 8 and 23 months qualify for one month of work for every month of study (eg. 8 month program qualifies for an 8 month work permit). One exception to this rule is for graduate programs between 16 and 23 months, that don’t have scheduled breaks. These ‘intensive’ programs can qualify for a 3-year work permit. Programs that are 2 years or longer qualify for a 3-year work permit. 
• This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (meaning it is an option after only one program). 
• A PGWP application requires confirmation of degree completion and a transcript.  
• See  IRCC details about applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). 

• International students applying for a SIN require a permit that confirms their right to work. The options are:
  • a work permit; or,
  • a study permit that includes conditions allowing work on and/or off-campus

Students who have study permits without the conditions listed above must either apply for a new study permit or request an amendment to their current permit.

If you have family or friends that require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada, you should send them the following supporting documents:
 

• Invitation letter written by you (Brock does not provide an invitation letter, since you are the one inviting them.) 
• Copy of your study or work permit 

• Proof of your current registration  
• Copy of your passport 
• Additional documents may be required to support your friend’s or family’s TRV application. They should follow the application instructions for the country they are applying from and the method of their application. 
• See IRCC details about applying for a TRV 

U.S. Visitor Visa

International students may apply for a U.S. visa via the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. To apply for a U.S. visa you must book an appointment online. 

The United States Embassy Consular Services Canada’s website provides current information about applying for a U.S. visa. 

• The United States Embassy Consular Services – Consulate General Toronto 

Learn more about the process of applying for a U.S. visa 

• Applying for non-immigrant U.S. visas in Toronto 
• The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) 
• Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) 
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Travel