Immigration information & resources

Apply for a study permit

International students who want to study in Canada may need a study permit before starting their studies. 

Initial study permit: 

You must have a study permit if your program is longer than six months, including blended programs with on-campus residencies. Review our resources to learn more about initial study permit applications and read the IRCC guideline on applying for a study permit.

Exchange students and short-term programs

If your program is less than six months long, you may still want to apply for a study permit if you are considering extending your studies after your original program ends or you are studying as an exchange student and would like to work in Canada during your studies. For more information, read IRCC's guidelines on short-term courses.

Minors

In British Columbia, the age of the majority is 19. Individuals under the age of majority are considered a minor child, also called a minor.

Post-secondary students who are minors but at least 17 years old may apply for a study permit and study independently in Canada.

If you are an international student with minor children who will accompany you to Canada and attend school, they must apply for a study permit before entering Canada.

For more information, read IRCC's guidelines on minor children.

Applying at the port of entry

Most students must apply for an initial study permit before travelling to Canada. Only the following individuals are eligible to apply for an initial study permit at the port of entry:

• U.S. citizen

• Lawful permanent resident of the U.S.

• Resident of Greenland

• Resident of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Make sure you gather all required supporting documents prior to your arrival at the border. The border officer will inform you if you meet the eligibility criteria to enter Canada. For more information read IRCC's guide before you apply for the study permit at the port of entry.

If you are not eligible to apply at a port of entry, you must be approved for a study permit before travelling to Canada.

Apply for a study permit extension

If you are outside Canada: If your study permit and TRV are going to expire before returning to Canada, you must apply for a new study permit from outside Canada. You cannot apply for the study permit extension from outside Canada. Review our resources to learn more about initial study permits  and read IRCC's guide on how to apply for a study permit from outside Canada.

If you are in Canada: If your study permit is going to expire soon and you plan to continue studying, you must apply for a study permit extension within Canada. Review our resources to learn how to apply for a study permit extension from within Canada, or read IRCC's guide for a study permit extension.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

To receive a SIN, one of these conditions must be printed on your study permit: 

• May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.

• This permit does not authorize the holder to engage in off-campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.

For more information, read how to get a SIN.

Eligibility

You can work on campus without a work permit if you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You are a full-time student at Royal Roads University or a part-time student in your last term of studies.

• You have a valid study permit with a condition/remark that states you are eligible to work on-campus.

• You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

If you are eligible to work on-campus, but your study permit doesn’t have a condition/remark stating you are eligible to work, you may need to apply to change conditions or for an amendment of  your study permit before you apply for a SIN from Service Canada.

You are not eligible to work, if:

• You are a part-time student (unless you are in your final term).

• Your study permit expired.

• You are on an authorized leave/break/deferred/withdraw from your studies.

• You are switching schools and have not started your new studies.

Work location and employers

• “On-campus” locations include all the buildings on the campus at which the student is registered.

• On-campus employers may include work for any Royal Roads department, faculty member, student organization, private business or a contractor that provides on-campus services to the school, such as the Habitat Café.

Working hours

If you meet the work eligibility requirements to work on campus, you can work full-time hours on campus.

IRCC does not define an hour limit for full-time work. It is the responsibility of you and your employer(s) to know the provincial laws regarding work hours and overtime.

If you also plan to work off-campus, read the off-campus work information below.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

To receive a SIN, one of these conditions must be printed on your study permit: 

• May work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

• May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph R186(f), (v) or (w) and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.

For more information, read how to get a SIN.

Eligibility

Temporary policies are in place between November 15th, 2022 and April 30, 2024, allowing some international students to work off-campus more than 20 hours per week without a work permit during regular academic sessions. Visit the IRCC website for eligibility requirements. 

You can work off-campus without a work permit if you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You are a full-time student at Royal Roads University or a part-time student in your final term.
• You have a valid study permit with a condition/remark that states you are eligible to work off-campus.
• You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
• You are enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.

If you are eligible to work off-campus, but your study permit doesn’t have a condition/remark to work, you may need to apply for an amendment of  your study permit or apply to change conditions before you apply for a SIN from Service Canada.

You are not eligible to work off-campus, if:

• You are completing a prerequisite course or program of study and you have not started your degree program.
• You are not a full-time student (unless you are in your final term).
• Your study permit has expired and you are not on maintained status.
• You are on an authorized leave from studies.
• You are switching schools and haven’t started your studies at your new institution.
• Your study permit says you aren’t authorized to work off campus while you study.

After completing prerequisite courses or a pathway program:

• If your study permit has a condition indication you may work off-campus, you are eligible to begin working off-campus once your degree program has started. You do not need to apply to change conditions on your study permit.
• If your study permit has a condition indicating that you are not eligible to work off campus, you need to apply to change the conditions of your study permit. You will need to include a letter of explanation requesting to remove or add the appropriate work conditions on your study permit.

Part-time students

You can work off-campus only if you:

• Are in your final academic term,

• Don’t need to take a full-time course load to complete your program,

• Were a full-time student at Royal Roads before you commenced your last academic term, and

• Meet the other work eligibility requirements to work off-campus.

Work location and hours

“Off-campus” locations are outside the boundaries of the campus at which you are enrolled.

Work hours

If you meet the work eligibility requirements for work on or off campus, you can work the following hours without a permit:

• Full-time on-campus + 20 hours per week during regular school terms/semester. Learn how to calculate your hours because you are responsible for keeping track of your hours.

or

• Full-time on-campus + full-time off-campus during regularly scheduled breaks.

Some students may be eligible to work more than 20 hours per week during regular school terms under IRCC's temporary policy in place until December 31, 2023. To see if you are eligible to work more than 20 hours per week off campus, read IRCC's guide for off campus work.

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Regularly scheduled breaks: Part of the program's academic calendar (for example, breaks between terms, reading week, summer and winter breaks).

Full-time hours: IRCC does not define an hour limit for full-time work. It is the responsibility of you and your employer(s) to know the provincial laws regarding work hours and overtime.

Self-employed students: It is your responsibility to keep track of the hours you work off-campus.

New students and current students

• Apply with your initial study permit from outside Canada: You can apply for the co-op/internship work permit in the same application as your initial study permit. If your program includes an internship, your acceptance letter from Royal Roads will indicate that your program includes a work term.

• Apply with your study permit extension from inside Canada. You can apply for your co-op/internship work permit and study permit extension at the same time. Follow the study permit extension guide (RRU resources). You will need a confirmation of enrolment letter and an internship letter for this application. 
  
  Make sure you apply before your study permit expires. Usually, the co-op/internship work permit expiry date aligns with study permit expiry date. You must hold both a valid study permit and co-op/internship work permit while completing an internship.

• Applying only for the co-op/internship work permit from inside Canada: You can apply for your co-op/internship work permit from inside Canada. You will need an internship letter from the university. Follow the co-op/internship work permit guide (RRU Resources) or read the IRCC guide for co-op/internship work permit applications. Usually, the co-op/internship work permit expiry date aligns with study permit expiry date. You must hold both a valid study permit and co-op/internship work permit while completing an internship.

Eligibility

• You have a valid study permit until you complete your studies and while completing an internship in Canada.

• You are enrolled in an internship program at Royal Roads, and the internship duration totals 50% or less of your study program.

• The internship is approved by Royal Roads.

Working hours

You can work full or part-time on a co-op/internship work permit. At the same time, if you meet the work eligibility requirements to work on or off campus, you can also work on a valid study permit. Your work eligibility is:

• Full-time on co-op/internship permit + full-time on-campus (on study permit) + 20 hours per week during regular school terms/semester (on study permit).

Learn how to calculate your hours because you are responsible for keeping track of your hours.

If you have a co-op/internship work permit, but you are not participating in the internship program, you cannot use this work permit to work on or off campus during or after your studies.

Eligibility & validity

• Eligibility: A spouse or common-law partner of an international students with a valid study permit may be eligible to apply for an open work permit if they meet IRCC's eligibility requirements. 
• Validity: The SOWP is usually valid for the same period as your study permit.
• What if I am no longer studying but my spouse's work permit is still valid? The spouse can continue to work until their work permit expires. Visit the IRCC's help centre for more information

Applying for a spouse open work permit

• Applying from outside Canada: We advise you to apply for the spouse open work permit (SOWP) with your initial study permit application. Read IRCC's guidelines before you apply for the open work permit.

• Applying from inside Canada: If your spouse is in Canada, you can apply for the SOWP within Canada. You need to meet the IRCC eligibility requirement. Read IRCC's guidelines on how to apply for the SOWP.

• Applying for Spouse Open Work Permit after graduation: If you transition to a work permit after graduation, can apply for the spouse open work permit. Read IRCC's eligibility requirements and the instructions on how to apply for the open work permit.

New and current students

New Students: Your initial TRV will be issued as part of your study permit application from outside Canada. You don't need to apply for the TRV separately.

Returning students: You need to have a valid study permit to apply for the TRV from outside Canada.

Students in Canada: If your study permit is valid, you can apply for a TRV from inside Canada. If your study permit and TRV expire soon, make sure you apply for the study permit extension from within Canada. After your study permit extension is approved, you can apply for a new TRV. TRV expiry dates usually align with study permit expiry dates.

Applying for a TRV with family from inside Canada: You will need to submit all family member applications separately. You cannot submit family member applications in the same submission because it may not provide the right application form. Please make sure you are completing the right application form (IMM 5257). 

Resources and guides

• How to apply for a temporary resident visa (RRU resource)

• IRCC guide for temporary resident visa applications

• IRCC guide for frequently asked questions

If you are in Canada

Study permit

If you applied for a study permit extension before midnight Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) of the day your current study permit expires:

• You can continue to study until the decision is made on your application, if you remain in Canada.

• If your study permit expires but IRCC is still processing the study permit extension application, you can continue studying under Maintained Status.

If you applied for a study permit extension after midnight UTC on the day your study permit expires:

• You will lose your status as a student in Canada and will need to apply for restore your status within 90 days from inside Canada.

• You won't be eligible to study or work until you receive a new study permit.

Traveling outside Canada while your study permit extension application is in process:

• You can travel outside Canada and return only if you have a valid visa or eTA. Before you leave Canada, make sure you have a valid visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)  to enter Canada.

• If you are on maintained status and your study permit extension is still in process when you return to Canada, you won't be able to study or work until your receive a new study permit. For more information, read IRCC's guide on travelling with applications in process. 

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)

If you apply for a PGWP before midnight UTC on the day your current study permit expires:

• You can work until the decision is made on your application, if you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you apply for a PGWP after midnight UTC)on the day your study permit expires:

• You will lose your status as a student in Canada and will need to apply for restore your status and the PGWP at the same time.

• You won't be eligible to work until you receive the work permit.

Traveling outside Canada while your PGWP application is in process:

• You can travel outside Canada and return only if you have a valid visa/eTA. Before you leave Canada, make sure you have a valid visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)  to enter Canada.

• If you applied for a PGWP before your study permit expired, you may be eligible to continue working after returning to Canada, even if your PGWP application is still in process.

If you are outside Canada

Study permit extension:

You cannot apply for a study permit extension from outside Canada. You will need to apply for a new study permit.

If your study permit is expired:

You need to apply for the new study permit from outside Canada.

If you had applied for the study permit extension before leaving Canada:

If you were on maintained status and your study permit extension is still in process when you return to Canada, you won't be able to study/work until your receive the new study permit. See the IRCC page: I've applied to extend my study permit. Can I travel outside Canada and be able to return?

Medical exams for visitors, students and workers

You can find more information on immigration medical exams on the following IRCC pages:

• Who needs a medical exam
• Who can do your medical exam
• When to get your medical exam
• What to bring
• What you need to pay for
• What to expect during your exam
  • When you arrive
  • Medical history questionnaire
  • Physical exam
  • Other possible tests
  • COVID-19 vaccination
  • Right to have a chaperone
• After your exam is done
• When to send your medical exam results
• How long your medical results are good for
• Getting a copy of your medical exam

Frequently asked questions

• Video: A step-by-step look at biometrics
• IRCC guide to check the biometrics centre information
• IRCC guide on biometrics: COVID-19
• If I’m asked to give my biometrics, does that mean my application is approved?
• Why do I have to give my biometrics (fingerprints and photo) when I apply?
• How often will I need to go in person to give my fingerprints and photo?
• I need to give biometrics. What if there’s no visa application centre (VAC) in the country or territory I’m applying from?
• Will it take longer to get my visitor visa because I have to give my biometrics?
• If I get my photo taken for biometrics, do I still need to submit a paper photograph as part of my application?
• I cover my head or face for religious or cultural reasons. What will happen when I go to have my photo taken for biometrics?
• What will happen to my fingerprints and photo after they are collected for biometrics?
• How long will you keep my fingerprints and photo (biometrics)?
• What if I have a Canadian visa that has not yet expired when you start taking biometrics from citizens of my country or territory?
• Do I need to give my biometrics to visit Canada if I’m in the United States and I’ve already given my biometrics when I entered the U.S.?
• If I’m in Canada, do I have to give my biometrics?
• If my visa, work or study permit application is refused, will I have to give biometrics for my next application?
• Will it take longer to process my application because I have to give biometrics?
• Can I go to a port of entry to give biometrics if it’s closer than a Service Canada location?
• I am from Asia, Asia Pacific or the Americas and have applied for a visa, work or study permit, or for permanent residence before December 31, 2018, but my application is still being processed. Do I have to give my biometrics?
• How can I pay for biometrics after I submitted my application?
• They didn’t take my photo when I gave my biometrics in Canada. Will my application still be processed?