Canadian study permit

Important: Apply online for your study permit.

Exception: Applicants from the United States who hold a valid US passport or a green card, residents of Greenland or residents of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon may apply at the border.

Prepare your documents and appointments:

1. Your Offer of Admission
   • The form will ask for a DLI number (Designated Learning Institution). Concordia's is O19359011007. 
2. Your CAQ letter
   • Your CAQ serves as your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for the Government of Canada if it contains a specific statement.
3. Proof of identity (passport)
4. Proof of financial support (see below)
5. Make an appointment to give your biometric data (see below)
6. Get a medical exam (see below)
7. Prepare a letter to describe your study plan (see below)
8. Any Visa Office-specific requirements. Check for your country

Important: In your application you will be asked for Concordia University's DLI number (Designated Learning Institution). It is O19359011007 (the first character is the letter O, not a zero).

How are you funding your education? Is anyone supporting you financially? Have you already paid your tuition? You must show that you have enough money for one year of tuition fees, as well as one year of personal and living expenses. 

Immigration and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires that applicants demonstrate that they can support themselves and their families who come with them while in Canada. Proof of financial sufficiency can be provided with the following:

• Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you've transferred money to Canada
• Guaranteed Investment Certifcate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
• Proof of a student or education loan from a bank
• Your bank statements for the past 4 months
• Your statements of employment and income
• A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
• A letter from the person or school giving you money or
• Proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program

If your country uses foreign-exchange controls, you must prove that you'll be allowed to export funds for all of your expenses.

Important: Many applicants must provide biometrics upon coming to Canada. This is not required for US citizens.

While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is processing your appllcation, they will send you instructions to book your biometrics appointment.

You cannot book this appointment until you receive IRCC's instructions.

Note: your biometrics are valid for ten years.

Medical exam

You must have an IRCC medical exam if you:

• Want to come to Canada for more than 6 months and
• Have lived or travelled for 6 months in certain countries or territories in the year before you come to Canada or
• You will be working with children, the elderly, or the infirm

If you do need a medical exam, you must visit a physician approved by the Government of Canada. Visit canada.ca to find a physician in your home country.

Study plan - letter of explanation

Being admitted to Concordia University and receiving a CAQ does not guarantee that a study permit will be issued. You should include a cover letter with your study permit application that describes your study plan.

When you have your documents ready, you can apply for your study permit. The Government of Canada recommends applying online. 

The processing fee is $150.00 CAD; so have a credit card ready.

When your application is approved

Once your application is approved, the Government of Canada will issue

• A Letter of Introduction
• A temporary residency visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA)

Your letter of introduction is the key to receiving your study permit when you arrive in Canada. Double and triple-check you have the letter before you leave home! 

Below is a sample of what a Letter of Introduction looks like. Please remember: an introduction letter is not a study permit.

Do not travel to Canada until you have received your Letter of Introduction.

Apply at the port of entry

Only certain people can apply at the port of entry at this time. You may be able to apply at the port of entry if you’re a:

• U.S. citizen
• lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• resident of Greenland
• resident of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

You can apply for your Study Permit at a Canadian Port of Entry (Canadian airport or land border-crossing); consequently, a Letter of Introduction is not required. Since you will be applying for a Study Permit upon entry, please bring all supporting documents with you and be prepared to pay the processing fee.

Here are the documents you will need to apply at a Canadian port of entry.

• Your passport
• Your Offer of Admission (printout of all pages)
• Your CAQ approval letter (printed)
• Proof of financial support (printed and recent)
• A medical exam*
• Study permit processing fee ($150)
• Biometrics (for US greencard holders)
• eTA for residents of Greenland and St-Pierre et Miquelon

Your study permit will be issued once you land in or drive into Canada. Please make sure to upload it to your student service centre as soon as it is issued.

*This only applies if:

• You lived in one or more of these countries or territories for at least 6 months in a row within the last year, or
• You’ll come to Canada to work in a job in which public health must be protected (see jobs for which you need a medical exam)

If you need a medical exam, please refer to this section from IRCC to find out who can perform your exam.