Study Visa - Merit Immigration

A study permit is usually valid for the length of your study program, plus an extra 90 days. The 90 days will let you prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay.

1. If you’re taking prerequisite courses
If your school asks you to take courses before they accept you into the main program (you have conditional acceptance), your study permit will be valid for the length of those courses, plus 1 year. When you get accepted into the main program, you must then apply to extend your stay as a student.

2. If you’ll finish your studies after your study permit expires
If you don’t finish your courses before the date on your permit, you must apply to extend your stay as a student. If you don’t, you’ll need to stop studying and leave Canada.

3. If you finish your studies before your study permit expires
If you finish your studies early, your permit will stop being valid 90 days after you complete your studies, no matter what day is printed on the study permit.
You’ve completed your studies on the date your school first notifies you by completion letter, transcript, degree or diploma.You must provide proof of the date your school notifies you, or the date you get your degree, diploma or certificate. If you don’t have proof, we’ll use the earliest issue date on the document.

Yes. If you leave Canada during your studies, you may need to show proof you’re enrolled in your school when you return to Canada.

If you have a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), it must still be valid when you return to Canada.

International Students have many ways to remain in the country after graduation. The first step is applying for the post-graduation work permit. Gaining work experience in Canada will be key for an international student in order to apply for Permanent Residence later.