Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I find out about schools for international students in Canada?

Canada offers many choices of schools for international students. These include primary and secondary schools, post secondary institutions (i.e. colleges and universities) private career /vocational schools, and language schools. Find more information on choosing a school.

Once you have chosen a school, you will need to make sure it is on the designated learning institution list. This list names the schools in Canada that are approved to accept international students. A study permit can only be issued to someone who has been accepted to study at a designated learning institution.

 

I came to Canada as a visitor. Now, I want to study. Can I?

To study in Canada, you must have legal status. You also need to find out if you need a study permit.

If you don’t need a study permit: you can enrol in your studies, but remember that you must leave Canada at the end of the authorized period or apply to extend your stay as visitor.

If you need a study permit: you need to comply with the conditions and requirements of the International Student Program.

 

I want to study in Canada for less than six months. Do I need a study permit?

You can study in Canada without a study permit if:

the duration of your course or program of study is six months or less; and

you will complete your course or studies within the time you are allowed to stay in Canada.

Note: Even if you do not need a study permit, you may want to apply for one. If you decide that you want to continue your studies in another program after you complete your short-term course or program and you do not already have a study permit you will need to apply through a Canadian visa office outside Canada for the study permit.

If you would like to receive a study permit for short-term studies, your studies must be at a designated learning institution.

I have a temporary resident visa. Can I leave Canada and come back?

Single-entry temporary resident visa:

If you have a single-entry temporary resident visa, you will generally need a new single-entry visa to come back to Canada.

You can request to return to Canada on your original single-entry temporary resident visa, if:

you will only visit the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon; and

you will return to Canada before the end of your approved stay in Canada.

Multiple-entry temporary resident visa:

Yes, you can come back to Canada, if you have a multiple-entry temporary resident visa and it has not expired.

Expired temporary resident visa:

You can request to return to Canada on your original temporary resident visa, even if it is expired, if:

you will only visit the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon; and

you will return to Canada before the end of your approved stay in Canada.

An officer will confirm whether you meet all the requirements before allowing you to come back to Canada. If you visit any country other than those listed above, you will need a new temporary resident visa.

You must apply for a study permit if your main reason for coming to Canada is to study for more than six months.

You may need to leave Canada to go for an interview. If you do, please ensure you bring all the documents you need to enter that country and return to Canada.

Can I stay in Canada after my study permit expires, if I have applied for a new permit?

Yes. You may remain in Canada as a temporary resident until CIC makes a decision on your new permit application, as long as your application to extend was submitted prior to the expiry of your authorized stay.

If the new application was submitted to renew your study permit:

You may stay in Canada and continue studying as per the conditions of your original study permit until CIC decides on your application.

If the new application was submitted for a different type of temporary resident status (e.g., work permit):

On the expiry of your study permit you must stop any of the activities stated in the original study permit once the permit expires. For example, you may have come to Canada as a student and then applied for a work permit. If so, you must stop studying once your study permit expires. After that, you cannot work or study until you get a new permit.

I have applied to extend my study permit. Can I travel outside Canada and be able to return?

Yes, you can leave Canada and return, as long as your visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is still valid.

If your visa or eTA is expired, you will have to apply for and receive a new one before you leave.

When you return to Canada:

If your study permit is still valid, you may enter as student.

If we extended your study permit while you were away, you may enter as student.

If we are still processing your study permit extension, you may enter as a visitor. You can’t study until you get your study permit extension. The officer at the port of entry may ask you to prove you have enough money to support yourself in Canada.

You have the option to re-apply for a new study permit, and pay the fees, at the port of entry if you are a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S. or a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon. Once you are in Canada, you can use this web form to withdraw your previous application.

A border officer will have some questions for you when you arrive back in Canada. If the officer believes there is reason to refuse your re-entry, you will not be able to re-enter Canada.

The officer at the port of entry may ask you for a copy of your extension application, the fee payment receipt, and any other document to prove you applied for an extension.

 

As an international student, can I work in Canada without a work permit?

Yes. If you have a study permit and are enrolled full-time in an eligible institution:

you may work on-campus without a work permit.

If you have a study permit and are enrolled full-time in an academic, professional or vocational training program at a designated learning institution: you may work off campus without a work permit.

If you receive your study permit after June 1:

your study permit will indicate if you are able to work off campus. If so, you are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week while: your program is in session, and full-time during scheduled breaks in the academic calendar.

You may work for any employer in Canada who is not on the ineligible employer list.

You must have the appropriate work permit in order to take part in a co-op or internship program. You also must apply for a post-graduation work permit in order to work in Canada after your studies. For more details, see Work Permits for Students.

I am an international student in Canada. How can I apply to become a permanent resident?

There are several permanent resident categories that you may fit into, including the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Provincial Nominee Program.

Some of those categories require eligible Canadian work experience. If you want to work in Canada after you graduate from your studies, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

How can I extend my stay in Canada or change my immigration status?

To change your immigration status—from full-time student to full-time worker, for example—or to extend your stay in Canada, you must submit an application.

 

How long can I stay in Canada while waiting for permanent residence?

You can stay in Canada while waiting for your permanent residence as long as you maintain legal status. Temporary resident status is valid for a specific period of time and you must ensure that your status as a temporary resident remains valid while you are in Canada.

Can I apply for a work permit from inside Canada?

Only in some cases. You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if:

you, your spouse or parents have a valid study or work permit,

you have a work permit for one job but want to apply for a work permit for a different job,

you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more, or

you are in Canada because you have already applied for permanent residence from inside Canada. You will have to pass certain stages in the main application process before you can be eligible for a work permit.

There are other requirements as well.

If you are already in Canada as a visitor, you may not apply within Canada. You must apply for a work permit at a Canadian visa office:

responsible for the country where you live,

responsible for the country you are a citizen of, or

at a Canadian embassy or consulate in the United States of America.

You may be asked to go for an in-person interview at that office. If so, make sure you have all the documents you need to enter that country.

You must check:

whether you need to fill out any other forms or provide any other documents, and how to pay the fee (visa offices do not accept fee payment receipts from banks in Canada).

What is CRS Comprehensive Ranking System?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the points-based system we use to assess and score your profile and rank you in the Express Entry pool.

The CRS gives you a score from your profile answers, including your:

skills

education

language ability

work experience

other factors

The CRS also gives you points for:

Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates

a valid job offer

a nomination from a province or territory

We regularly send invitations to apply to the highest-ranking candidates in the pool. If you are invited, you can apply to immigrate as a permanent resident.

Comprehensive Ranking System formula: The points you get from the CRS include a core set of points up to 600 and a set of additional points of up to 600. Your total score will be out of 1,200. It is based on the four parts of the CRS formula:

Core: Up to 600 points

Skills and experience factors

Spouse or common-law partner factors, such as their language skills and education

Skills transferability, including education and work experience

Additional: Up to 600 points for:

Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates

a valid job offer

a nomination from a province or territory

Core points + Additional points = Your total score

 

 

 

 

What is CLB equivalency to IELTS ?

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training – Test score equivalency chart
CLB Level Reading Writing Listening Speaking
10 8.0 7.5 8.5 7.5
9 7.0 7.0 8.0 7.0
8 6.5 6.5 7.5 6.5
7 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
6 5.0 5.5 5.5 5.5
5 4.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
4 3.5 4.0 4.5 4.0

 

What is a Certficate of Nomination?

The province or territory will review your application. If you meet their criteria, they will issue you a nomination certificate. You must submit a copy of the nomination certificate when you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.

 

What is ECA ? Where can I get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?

We have a list of “designated” organizations that can assess your education. This means we recognize and accept their assessments. They will create a report that tells you what your education is equal to in Canada.

You must use one of the organizations listed below. You can visit their websites to find out more about the services each provides and their costs.

We only accept assessments issued on or after the date the organizations were designated to do ECA reports for immigration purposes (see below).

If you got a report before that date, contact the organization to see if they will re-issue it.

Assessment of most foreign education

Most people will be able to choose one of these to do their ECA. If you are not sure, contact the organization using the information on their website.

If an organization is not on this list, we can’t accept assessments from them.

Assessment for specialist and family physicians

You must get your report from the Medical Council of Canada (Date designated: April 17, 2013) if your primary occupation is:

  • specialist physician (2011 NOC code 3111), or
  • general practitioner/family physician (2011 NOC code 3112).

Assessment for pharmacists

If you are a pharmacist (NOC code 3131), where you need to get your report depends on your job.

If you need a license to practice (for example, you care for patients in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, long term care facility, etc.) you must get your report from the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. (Date designated: January 6, 2014).

If you do not need a license for your job, you can get your assessment from one of the other designated ECA organizations above. For example, if you work in the pharmaceutical industry or government you may need a pharmacy degree but may not need to have a licence to practice.

Contact the regulatory body in the province where you plan to live to find out if you need a licence to practice.

What is a designated learning Institution DLI ?

A post-secondary school in Canada that a student must be accepted at before they can qualify for a study permit (as of June 1, 2014). Consult the designated learning institutions list (DLI) for schools at the post-secondary level.

All primary and secondary schools in Canada are automatically designated. They do not appear on the list. Applicants for primary and secondary schools do not need a DLI number on their application form.

 

What are the requirements of work permit if I want to apply from inside Canada ?

 

You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if you:

  • are currently in Canada and have a valid study or work permit, or your spouse or parents have a study or work permit,
  • have graduated from a program at a
    • Canadian university,
    • community college,
    • CÉGEP,
    • publicly funded trade/technical school, or
    • other eligible school.
  • have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more,
  • have applied or been included in an application for permanent residence from inside Canada (you will have to pass certain stages in the main application process to be eligible for a work permit),
  • have asked for refugee status in Canada and are waiting for a decision from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada,
  • have been recognized by the RPD as a convention refugee or protected person,
  • have had your refugee claim turned down by the RPD but you cannot be removed from Canada for reasons beyond your control, or
  • are allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but you need a work permit to work in a different job.

 

 

 

Source: cic website