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. This includes refugees and protected persons.

If you already have a study permit at another institution and it does not restrict you from studying elsewhere, you can continue to use that permit at Brock. Please visit our Study Permit Extension page for more information.

You may not require a study permit if you are:

• Studying in Canada for 6 months or less, e.g. one-term exchange students, short-term ESL students
• A family member of an accredited foreign representative
• A member of the armed forces
• A Registered Indian as defined by the Indian Act
• Exempt under the temporary policy for foreign workers

Use the Find out if you need a study permit tool on the IRCC website to find out if you need one.

Note: Even if a study permit is not required, most people will require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.

This decision is up to you. If you decide to use a representative, make sure the person is licensed to provide Canadian immigration advice and has experience with cases like yours.

Visit the IRCC website to learn more about representatives.

We recommend you apply as soon as you have your letter of acceptance (and provincial attestation letter, if required). Study permit applications can take months to be processed.

You can check the current processing times for an estimate based on the current average processing time.

Important notes:

The processing times only begin once a complete application is received, including biometrics and medical, if required. It also does not include the time it takes for visa issuance. 

There is no guarantee you will get a decision within the posted timeframe. See how to check your application status.

When you apply online, a personalized document checklist will be created based on your responses to the questionnaire. Uploading these documents is a minimum. We recommend you make a strong initial application to avoid delays and refusal.

The main document requirements are:

• Study plan (recommended for all students even if not required)
• Letter of acceptance to Brock (and offer letter)
• Provincial attestation letter, if required
• Proof of financial support
• Passport, preferably valid until the end of your program
• Passport size photos
• IMM application form(s)
• Biometrics, if required
• Medical, if required (upfront preferred)
• Any documents required by your local visa office

Recommended for stronger application

• Proof of paid tuition for first year
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) for daily living expenses
• Police certificate, if required
• Most recent transcripts
• Language test results

We recommend all students include a study plan with their application, even if it is not required. The purpose is to help the visa officer understand you and your goals.

Your study plan must:

• Be specific, practical and factual
• Explain why you want to study in Canada
• Demonstrate that you understand your responsibilities as a student

Some visa offices have very specific requirements for format and content. Be sure to check with your local visa office for their specific requirements. If your visa office does not provide any specific requirements, see our study plan template on the Application Resources page for help.

Post-secondary education is a large investment in your future. We strongly recommend all students sit down with their families to discuss their finances and budget prior to applying for a study permit. Visit Student Accounts & Financial Aid (SAFA)’s Budgeting webpage for help.

One of the most common reasons for a study permit refusal is insufficient funds. You need to show that you have enough funds to cover:

• At least your first year of tuition (prepaid is stronger, if not required)
• Daily living expenses
• Return travel home for you and any accompanying dependants

We strongly recommend to all students that you provide as much documentation as possible rather than just trying to meet the minimum amount. Use our financial support cover letter template for help.

Students applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) must show proof of full payment of tuition for the first year. You should use the highest amount in the estimated tuition fee range listed in your letter of acceptance.

If you are not applying through SDS, we still recommend you pre-pay your first year of tuition either fully or partially to help strengthen your study permit application. It can show IRCC not only that you have the financial means to pay your tuition, but also that you are a bonafide student with a true intention to study in Canada.

You will not know your exact fees until you have fully enrolled in courses which is late to start your study permit application. We recommend you apply for your study permit as soon as you have received your letter of acceptance to Brock.

If you overpay, you can leave the funds on your student account or request a refund of the unused funds.

If you underpay, you will need to pay the difference before the tuition fee deadline to avoid any financial penalties.

Visit Student Accounts & Financial Aid’s Making a Payment page for information on how to pay your tuition. Once your payment has been processed by Brock, you will see it in your finance history on the Student Self-Serve Portal.

For documented proof, we recommend you request an SDS letter as a tuition receipt through your Brock student portal. You can also use a screenshot of your finance history and proof from your financial institution that the funds were sent to Brock.

In Ontario, the age of majority is 18. If you are a minor under the age of 17 at the time of your study permit application, you must either:

• come with your parent or legal guardian, or
• have a custodian in Canada.

Brock University cannot act as a custodian. If you do not know anyone who can act as a custodian for you, you should research companies that provide this service. Learn more about studying in Canada as a minor.

It is possible to apply for a co-op work permit either before you come to Canada (if eligible) or once you are inside Canada. Check your letter of acceptance.

• If a co-op is indicated on your letter of acceptance, you can and should apply for a co-op work permit at the same time as your study permit. Waiting until you are inside Canada may cause delays for your co-op work. Make sure to indicate in your study plan that your program includes a co-op and request a co-op work permit.
• If a co-op is not indicated, you cannot apply for a co-op work permit now. Once you are in Canada and admitted to your co-op program, your co-op program office will provide you with more information.

While your study permit application is processing, please make sure to:

• Monitor your email, including your spam/junk folder
• Check your IRCC portal regularly for any updates or requests
• Keep your application up to date via the IRCC webform
• Comply with any requests you may receive by the deadline
• Track your application status

If you applied outside Canada and your application is approved, you will be issued an eTA or visa, if required. You will also receive a Port of Entry letter (study permit approval letter) which you need to present at a Canadian border to have your study permit issued.

Learn more about Travelling to Canada

If your study permit is refused, IRCC must issue a refusal letter with reasons.

Learn more about Refusals

Once you are in Canada, it is important that you comply with your study permit conditions.

No. Courses can fill quickly so waiting can cause issues and limit your enrolment options. Find out when registration opens.

• Undergraduate course registration
• Graduate registration

We recommend you defer your start date to a future term before the deferral deadline. Deferrals are subject to availability. For information and to request a deferral, please contact:

• Undergraduate students: admissions@brocku.ca
• Graduate students: graduatestudies@brocku.ca
• ESL-only students: eslbrock@brocku.ca

IRCC allows students to arrive in Canada a “reasonable amount of time” before their studies begin. It is common for students to arrive a couple of weeks before their program starts to settle in. If you wish to come earlier, you will need to have a good reason. Any decision on whether to admit you is at the border Officer’s discretion. Visit our Travelling to Canada page for information on the documents you need to enter Canada and when to plan your trip.