There are currently two ways you can apply for a study permit:

1. IRCC secure account (GCKey)

Visit the IRCC website for instructions on how to create your IRCC secure account. We have also prepared a video tutorial on applying for a study permit using the IRCC secure account (GCKey), which has step-by-step instructions on the process.

Note: The video does not include information on obtaining a provincial attestation letter from the University of Ottawa.

2. IRCC portal (Available until March 25, 2025)

Consult our guide for step by step instructions on using the IRCC portal to submit a study permit application.

Important: The IRCC portal will be closed to study permit applications as of March 25, 2025. Any new study permit applications after this date must be submitted through the IRCC secure account.

You must include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) when applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a study permit. A provincial attestation letter is an official document issued by the government of a Canadian province to confirm that an international student has been accepted for admission to a post-secondary institution in that province.

If your application for a study permit is rejected, you must get a new provincial attestation letter from the University of Ottawa before you reapply.

• See the list of documents required by your country's visa office.
• Select your country/territory from the drop-down menu in the "How to apply on paper for a study permit" section.
• Then select Get documents to access the application package (including the visa office instructions) for your country.

Please note that not all countries have visa office instructions.

The document checklist in your IRCC portal or secure account doesn't include all the documents required by your country's visa office. You can upload all additional country-specific documents under the "Client Information" section of your document checklist in the IRCC secure account (GCKey) or in the "Additional Documents" section in the IRCC portal.

As part of your study permit application, you must prove that you can support yourself and any family members coming with you to Canada. You must show proof of financial support, including a minimum amount of funds per year, plus tuition fees for your first year of studies and travel costs.

In general, you must demonstrate your financial capacity through liquid assets or funds you can easily access.  Although you must only demonstrate that you have funds for your first year of study, the visa officer needs to see that it’s likely you’ll have funding for future years of study.

If your offer of admission mentions the co-op program or a mandatory internship, practicum or work experience, you can apply for a co-op or internship work permit when you apply for your study permit. In the eligibility questionnaire, answer “Yes” to “Is work an essential component of your studies?”

Upload your complete offer of admission to both of the following:  

• Letter of Acceptance  
• Evidence of Work Requirement in Study   

Highlight the part of your offer of admission that says “co-op” or mentions the mandatory internship, practicum or work experience.    

If you need to work in a job that brings you into close contact with people, you’ll need a medical exam even if you’re not from a country where one is normally required. Learn more about medical exam requirements.  

We recommend that you complete an “upfront” medical exam and answer “yes” to “Have you had a medical exam performed by an IRCC authorized panel physician (doctor) within the last 12 months?” in the eligibility questionnaire, so that the medical exam requirement is added to your document checklist. Learn when to get your medical exam. 

It might be possible for your spouse or common-law partner and/or dependent children to live with you in Canada during your studies. In most cases, they should apply at the same time as you for their own Temporary Resident Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization. 

Your spouse might also be eligible to apply for an open work permit while you are studying. Learn more about open work permits for your spouse.

Note: If you wish to apply for a work permit for your spouse or common-law partner at the same time as you apply for your study permit, you must use the IRCC secure account (GCKey) option.