Apply for a study permit from outside Canada

GCKey is a secure sign-in method for accessing Government of Canada online services.

If you already have a GCKey account:

• Go to the IRCC website:
  • IRCC Secure Account website
• Sign in (if you already have an account). Use your preferred method:
  • GCKey username and password
  • Canadian Interac sign-in partner

If you don't have an account:

Under the Create an account section, select Register for an account.
 

Choose how you want to register:

• GCKey Username and Password
• Interac sign-in partner (if you have a Canadian bank account — not available for students abroad)

For option 1: Select Register with a GCKey username and password to continue with GCKey (recommended option). 

Under the Simple Secure Access section, select Sign Up.

You will be directed to the GCKey Terms and conditions page.

Read the terms carefully and select I Accept.

Create your username

Enter your desired username following the guidelines and specifications under the Username Checklist section and select Continue.

Create your password

Your password must:

• Be between 8 and 16 characters
• Contain at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter and one digit
• Not contain three or more consecutive characters from your username

Enter and confirm your desired password.

Select Continue.

Create your recovery questions, answers and hints

Recovery questions help you reset your password if needed.

Enter the following:

• Recovery Question and Answer
• Memorable Person (could be the name of a family member or a friend) and Hint
• Memorable date and Hint

Select Continue.

Tip: Save a copy of these questions and answers somewhere safe in case you need them to recover your account.

Optional account recovery

Add an email for account recovery (highly recommended) or skip this step.

Enter and confirm your recovery email address and select Continue.

If you prefer not to add an email address, select Skip.

Sign up complete

A confirmation screen will display your newly created username.

To proceed to two-factor authentication setup, select Continue.

You will have three options to choose from:

• Use your smartphone or tablet (recommended by IRCC)
• Use your desktop device
• Use your email address

Select the button for your preferred method.

Note: We recommend either the Use your smartphone or tablet or the Use your email address method. 

Method 1: Use your smartphone or tablet

Accept the terms and conditions

Before proceeding, you must review and accept the Terms and conditions of use for two-factor authentication.

Read through the terms carefully and select I accept.

Prepare your mobile device

• Ensure you have a smartphone or tablet available.
• Download an authenticator app from a trusted source:
  • Google Authenticator (Android/iOS)
  • Microsoft Authenticator (Android/iOS)
  • Authy (Android/iOS)

If you already have an authenticator app installed, open it.

Select Continue.

Register your device

Link your authenticator app with your online account. Our instructions are based on Microsoft Authenticator, but the terms are similar in other applications.

• Scan the QR code
  • Open your authenticator app and select Scan QR Code.
  • Use your device’s camera to scan the QR code displayed on the government two-factor authentication page.
  • Your authenticator app will automatically detect the account and save it
• Manually enter a secret key (alternative option)
  • Copy the Secret key displayed on the government two-factor authentication page.
  • In your authenticator app, select Enter a Setup Key Manually.
  • Paste the Secret key into the app.
  • Assign a name to the account (e.g., “GCKey”).
  • Save the account.

Once you add your account to the authenticator app, the app will generate a six-digit code every 30 seconds.

Enter the generated code into the Authenticator code field and select Continue.

Secure your recovery codes

Once verification is successful, you’ll receive five recovery codes.

• Write the codes down and save them in a secure location.
• These codes allow you to regain access to your account if you lose access to your authentication method.
• Confirm that you have securely stored the codes and select Continue.

Completion of setup

You’ll receive a confirmation message that your two-factor authentication setup is complete.

Select Continue to finalize the process.

Congratulations! Your IRCC secure account is now protected with two-factor authentication.

Method 2: Use your email address

Accept the Terms and Conditions

Review the Terms and Conditions of Use for two-factor authentication.

Read through the terms carefully and select I accept.

Register your email address

Enter your email address in the required box and select Continue.

Verify your email address

A one-time passcode (OTP) will be sent to your registered email address.

• Open your email and find the code.
• Enter the code in the designated box.
• Select Continue.

If you don’t receive the code, you can request a new one by selecting Resend code.

Secure your recovery codes

Once verification is successful, you’ll receive five recovery codes.

• Write the codes down and save them in a secure location.
• These codes allow you to regain access to your account if you lose access to your authentication method.
• Confirm that you have securely stored the codes and select Continue.

Completion of setup

You’ll receive a confirmation message that your two-factor authentication setup is complete.

Select Continue.

Congratulations! Your IRCC secure account is now protected with two-factor authentication (2FA).

Now that you’ve set up a GCKey, you can use it to create your IRCC secure account.

On the Create an Account page, provide this information as it appears on your passport.

• Given name
• Last name(s)
• Email address
• Preferred language of notification (English or French)

Select Continue.

You will then be asked to create four security questions and answers.

Choose questions that will be easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.

Note: You’ll need to answer one of these questions every time you log into your IRCC secure account.

Enter all four questions and answers and select Continue.
 

After you log in, you’ll be directed to a dashboard where you can:

• View submitted applications
• Continue an unfinished application
• Start a new application

To begin your study permit application, select Apply to come to Canada in the Start an Application section.

If you don’t have a Personal Reference Code, select Visitor visa, study and/or work permit under the I do not have a Personal Reference Code section.

You must now answer a series of questions to determine your eligibility.

Here’s how to answer them:

• What would you like to do in Canada?: Study
• How long are you planning to stay in Canada?: Temporarily — more than 6 months
• Select the code that matches the one on your passport: For example, MAR (Morocco) for Moroccan citizens.
• What is your current country or territory of residence?: Select according to your situation.
• Do you have a family member who is a Canada citizen or a permanent resident and is 18 years or older?: Yes or No, depending on your situation.
• What is your date of birth?: Enter your date of birth.
• Do you have a provincial or territorial attestation letter or meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter?: Yes, I have a provincial or territorial attestation letter.

Important: Study permit applications for master’s or PhD programs submitted starting January 1, 2026, will no longer need to include a PAL.

Note: If you’re participating in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot program or meet another exception condition, select Yes, I meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter.

• Which province or territory is your provincial attestation letter from?: Ontario
• Are you a lawful permanent resident of the United States with a valid U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) number?: Yes or No, depending on your situation
• Have you been accepted to a Designated Learning Institution?: Yes
• Are you planning to attend a post-secondary Designated Learning Institution?: Yes
• Have you visited or lived in any one of the designated countries for 6 consecutive months in the last year?: Yes or No, depending on your situation.

See the list of designated countries.

• Have you had a medical exam performed by an IRCC authorized panel physician (doctor) within the last 12 months?: Yes or No, depending on your situation.

If you answer Yes, you must upload proof of the medical exam. This is called an "upfront medical exam".

Learn when to get your medical exam.

• What is your marital status?: Choose the answer that best describes your situation.
• What is your province or territory of destination?: Ontario.

Based on your answers, the system should determine that you want to apply for a study permit.

Select Continue.

You must answer some questions to generate a personal checklist of documents you need to submit with your application.

Select Continue.

• Do you have a valid work permit or study permit, and need a visa to return to Canada?: If this your initial study permit application, select No.
• Are you an exchange student?: Choose the answer that best describes your situation.
• Is work an essential component of your studies?: Answer No, even if your offer of admission mentions a co-op program or a mandatory practicum or work experience. International students no longer need a co-op work permit to complete mandatory work placements, including co‑ops and internships. Students can complete their work placements using their valid study permit if it includes conditions allowing them to work on campus.
• Are you a spouse, common-law partner or child of certain skilled worker or of certain full time international student that has or will have status in Canada?: Choose the answer that best describes your situation.
• Are you:
  • A recipient of a Commonwealth scholarship; or
  • A recipient of a full bursary (covering all expenses) from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), including Francophonie scholarship; or
  • A participant in a Canadian aid program for developing countries?
    • Choose the answer that best describes your situation.
• Are you accompanying a family member that has status in Canada, or has recently been approved to come to Canada?: Yes or No, depending on your situation.
• Have you ever committed, been arrested for, been charged with, or convicted of any criminal offence in any country?: Yes or No, depending on your situation.
• Do you want to submit an application for a family member?: Yes or No, depending on your situation

Note: If you answer Yes, you must answer additional questions about what your family member wants to do in Canada. 

• Are you giving someone access to your application?: Choose the answer that best describes your situation.
• In the past 10 years, have you given your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for an application to come to Canada?: Choose the answer that best describes your situation (most likely No).

Note: This question specifically refers to fingerprints and photo (biometrics) given as part of an application to come to Canada, such as for a study permit, work permit, visitor visa, or permanent residence.

If you’ve provided biometrics to a different country or for a non-immigration-related process (for example, for a border crossing, police clearance or a passport application), this doesn’t apply here, so answer No.

Learn more about biometrics for Canadian immigration.

• There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?: Yes, I will be paying my application fees (most likely).
• Are you able to make a digital copy of your documents with a scanner or camera?: Yes.
• Will you be paying your application fees online?: Yes.

Review your answers and edit any if needed by selecting the little pencil button.

Select Continue.

You have now created your document checklist, which is the list of documents you must submit to apply for your study permit.

1. Download and open the form by selecting the link in your document checklist.
   1. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader (latest version).
   2. Don’t use a mobile device — it can’t be used for IRCC forms.
   3. Save a copy of the form on your computer and open it from the location where you saved it. Don’t try to open it in a web browser (Chrome, Edge or Safari).
   4. If necessary, see the IRCC help centre.
2. Enable JavaScript (if needed).
   1. If you see a message about JavaScript being disabled, enable it in Adobe Acrobat:
      1. Go to Edit → Preferences → JavaScript.
      2. Select Enable JavaScript.

Completing the form

Complete all mandatory sections (marked with a red asterisk *).

Make sure your information is accurate and matches your supporting documents (passport, acceptance letter, etc.).

Tip: if you hover your cursor over a box, instructions to fill it out should appear. 

Unique Client Identifier (UCI) (optional)

• If you’ve submitted an application to IRCC in the past, enter your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) number.
  • Note: This isn’t mandatory. If this is your first application, leave this blank.

I want service in (language preference)

• Select either English or French. All future correspondence with IRCC for this application will be in the language you choose. 

1. Full name (required):
   1. Family name: If you have multiple last names (e.g., Garcia de Luna), include them all. Don’t abbreviate or leave out any part of your legal full name. Make sure it’s written exactly as shown on your passport or travel document.
   2. Given name (optional): If you have a given or first name, enter it here. If your passport doesn’t list a given name, leave this field blank.
   3. Note: If you go by multiple first names, use only the one(s) listed on your passport.
2. Have you ever used any other name (required):
   1. If you’ve ever used a different name (e.g., nickname, maiden name, etc.), select Yes.
   2. Provide details if applicable.
   3. Tip: Providing an accurate name history is essential to avoid delays or rejection during background checks.
3. Sex (required):
   1. Indicate your sex. Note that it should match what’s indicated on your passport (even if it differs from your identity).
4. Date of birth (required):
   1. Enter in YYYY-MM-DD format (must match official documents).
5. Place of birth (required):
   1. List the city/town where you were born (must be consistent with your passport)
6. Citizenship (required):
   1. Select the country or countries where you hold citizenship.
7. Current country or territory of residence (required):
   1. Select your current country of residence and provide the immigration status, including the status start and end dates.
8. Previous countries or territories of residence (required):
   1. List all countries you’ve resided in for more than six months during the past five years. For each country, provide your immigration status and the status start and end dates.  
9. Country or territory where applying (required):
   1. Same as current country of residence? If you’ll submit the application from the country or territory of your residence, select Yes.
   2. If you’ll submit the application from a country or territory other than your current country or territory of residenceand provide your immigration status, including the start and end dates, select No.
10. Current marital status (required):
    1. Choose the applicable marital status from the options: single, married, divorced, etc.
    2. Depending on your marital status, you might have to disclose additional details (date of your marriage or common-law relationship, name of your spouse, etc.).
11. Previous relationship status (required):
    1. If you were never married or in a common-law relationship before, select No.
    2. If you were previously married or in a common-law relationship, select Yes. You’ll need to provide details of your previous spouse or common-law partner (start and end date of your previous marriage or common-law relationship, name of your previous spouse, etc.).

1. Native language/Mother tongue (required): Select your native or first language from the drop-down list.
2. Are you able to communicate in English and/or French (required)?: Select the option that best represents your language proficiency.
3. In which language are you most at ease?: Select the option that best represents your language proficiency.
4. Have you taken a test from a designated testing agency to assess your proficiency in English or French (required)?
   1. If you’ve taken the IELTS, CELPIP or TEF test, select Yes.

Passport

Provide the details of your current passport. Note that when you select the country or territory of issue, the form will grey out the non-applicable question fields (i.e., those about Taiwanese or Israeli travel documents).

National identity document

Do you have a national identity document (required)?

• Some countries issue national identity cards. If your country issues such a document and you have one, select Yes and provide the necessary information (such as document number, country of issue, issue date and expiry date).
• If you don’t have a national identity document, select No.

US PR Card

Are you a lawful permanent resident of the United States (required):

• If you’re not a lawful permanent resident of the United States, select No.
• if you’re a lawful permanent resident of the United Stats, select Yes and provide details (USCIS number and expiry date).

1. Current mailing address (required):
   1. Provide the details of your current mailing address. This is the address where you want to receive official correspondence from IRCC. It can be your home or another location where you regularly receive mail. Make sure all information is accurate.
2. Residential address (required):
   1. If your residential address is the same as your mailing address, select Yes.
   2. If your residential address is different, select No and provide the details.
3. Telephone no. (optional):
   1. Even though it’s optional, we recommend that you enter your phone number, which may be used for contact if necessary.
   2. Select the country or territory associated with your telephone number: Choose Canada/US if your phone number is associated with one of these countries. Choose Other for a non-Canadian/US number.
   3. Telephone type: Choose the type of phone (e.g., cellular or landline).
   4. Country code: Enter the international dialing code for your country (e.g., 33 for France)
   5. Telephone number: Enter the rest of the number after the country code.
4. Alternate telephone no. (optional):
   1. Enter an alternate contact number if you have one.
5. Fax no. (optional):
   1. You very likely don’t have this and can leave the box blank.
6. E-mail address (optional):
   1. Even though this is not a mandatory field, we strongly encourage you to enter your email address. Ensure it’s correct.

1. I have been accepted at the following educational institutions (Attach the original letter of acceptance):
   1. Name of school: Enter University of Ottawa.
   2. My level of study will be: Select the level of study you’ll be pursuing at uOttawa (e.g., University-Bachelor’s Degree)
   3. My field of study will be: Select your field of study at uOttawa (e.g., Computer Science). If your exact field of study isn’t listed, select the closest match.
   4. Completed address of school in Canada:
      1. Province: Select ON.
      2. City/Town: Enter Ottawa.
      3. Address: Enter 550 Cumberland Street, Ottawa ON K1N 6N5.
2. Designated Learning Institution # (O#):
   1. The University of Ottawa’s DLI number is O19397188593 (includes the letter “O”).
   2. My student ID# is: You can find your student number on your offer of admission. It starts with 300…
3. Duration of expected study:
   1. Enter the start/end dates of your study program in YYYY-MM-DD format. (e.g., If you’re admitted to a four-year bachelor program for the Fall 2025 intake, enter “2025-09-01” as the “from” date and “2029-07-31” as the “to” date).
   2. Undergraduate Students: To find the total number of credits required for your program, see Box 9 of Document B (last page) of your offer of admission. Divide this number by 30 to get a rough idea of the number of years required to complete your program.
4. The cost of my studies will be:
   1. Tuition (required): Enter the approximate tuition cost for the first year of your study program. For example, CA$60,000. You can find an estimate of your tuition fees on Document B (last page) of your offer of admission.  
   2. Room and board (optional): Include the total estimated amount required for accommodation and food for the first year of your program. IRCC's financial requirements state that a single student in Canada needs to show proof of CA$22,895.
   3. Other (optional): List other related expenses such as travel to and from your home country.
5. Funds available for my stay:  
   1. You must prove you have enough funds to cover your expenses for your first year in Canada while studying. Funds can come from personal savings, family support or scholarships. Only funds that are readily accessible (i.e., liquid assets) can count towards this.
   2. Note: The amount you declare here must be confirmed by your supporting documents.
6. My expenses in Canada will be paid by:
   1. Select the option that best describes who’ll pay your expenses (e.g., Myself or Parents).
   2. If you select Other, give details about who’ll pay your expenses.
7. If you have been issued a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)/Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL):
   1. Enter your PAL number and expiry date provided. You should have received this document after paying your admission deposit to the University.
8. The Quebec Acceptance Certificate is not applicable to you, since uOttawa is in Ontario.

Post-secondary education history (required):

• Answer whether you’ve studied at a post-secondary institution before.
• If you select Yes, provide details.

Provide details about your employment or other activities for the past 10 years or since the age of 18.  

Answer these questions based on your situation:

1. Medical background questions: This section will help assess whether you have any medical conditions that could pose a public health risk, require significant health services or affect your ability to work in certain occupations.
   1. Question a) deals with tuberculosis (TB), a contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs. Canada screens for this condition in foreign applicants to prevent the spread of the disease.
   2. Question b) requires you to indicate whether you have any physical or mental disorder that would require social and/or health services, other than medication, during a stay in Canada.
   3. If you answer yes to a) or b), you’ll need to provide the details.
2. Travel and immigration-related questions: This section ensures you have complied with past visa conditions and checks if you have a history of visa refusals or deportations that may raise concerns about admissibility. Read the questions carefully and answer all questions truthfully.
   1. A past refusal or overstaying doesn’t automatically mean rejection.
   2. If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, provide a clear explanation in the textbox. You can also include supporting documents in the Client information section of your application to help clarify the situation if needed.
   3. Note: Providing false information could lead to a refusal or a ban on future applications.
3. 3. Criminality and security: Declare if you’ve ever been involved in any criminal activities, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This information is critical to assess your admissibility to Canada. Answer these questions truthfully.
   1. This question is about any illegal activities you’ve been involved in. Even if you were never arrested or convicted, you must declare any criminal activity. This includes minor offences like shoplifting or serious crimes.
   2. If applicable, select Yes and provide details. Otherwise, select No.
4. Military or government service question: This section ensures that you have not been involved in activities that could pose a risk to Canada’s national security. It helps IRCC identify individuals who may have been part of organizations linked to human rights violations, war crimes or other security concerns.
   1. If applicable, select Yes and provide details. Otherwise, select No.
5. Criminality and security question: This question is focused on association with organizations that promote or engage in violence, extremism or terrorism. Even if you were a member of such an organization in the past but have left, you must declare it here.
   1. If applicable, select Yes and explain your situation. Otherwise, select No.
6. 6. Have you ever witnessed or participated in ill treatment of prisoners or civilians, looting or desecration of religious buildings?
   1. This question is meant to assess your involvement in or knowledge of human rights abuses. If you’ve been directly involved in or have witnessed these actions without reporting them, you must disclose this.
   2. If applicable, select Yes and explain the circumstances. Otherwise, select No. 

Consent to be contacted by CIC [former name of IRCC]

• The Government of Canada may want to contact you in the future to ask about the services you received during your application process or about your experience living in Canada.  
• You can choose whether to allow this by selecting Yes or No.

Signature

Type your full name as it appears on your passport or travel document. Don’t try to insert an electronic signature or print the form and sign it by hand. You will be asked to answer a security question when submitting the application, which will count as your digital signature.

1. Validate the form
   1. Scroll to the bottom of the form.
   2. Select the Validate button.
   3. If any required fields are missing, an error message will pop up.
2. Check for the barcodes
   1. After validation, barcodes will appear on the last page of the form.
   2. These barcodes contain encoded application data for IRCC processing.
3. Save the validated form
   1. Select File → Save As and save it as a PDF.
   2. Don’t print and scan the form after validation—upload the validated version directly.
4. Submit the form
   1. If applying online: Upload the validated PDF form to your document checklist in your IRCC account.

Letter of Acceptance

• This is the official document from the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada that confirms you’ve been accepted into a program. This letter typically includes details such as the program start date and classification.
• Note: At the University of Ottawa, this document is called an International Student Letter of Acceptance. This is the second page of your Offer of Admission. You can find your Offer of Admission in your admission file in your uoZone account.

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

• This letter confirms that your study program aligns with the province’s requirements. You should receive this document from uOttawa after your admission deposit has been received. This document is mandatory unless you meet one of the IRCC PAL exception conditions.
• See if you need a PAL (scroll down).

Passport/Travel document

• Upload a clear scan of the identification pages of your passport.
• This includes your passport number, date of issue, date of expiry and personal information such as name and photo.
• Also include any other page that has a visa or stamp or marking on it. Combine everything into one file.

Photo

• The photographs must be identical and taken within the last six months.
• See the Temporary Resident Visa application photograph specifications.

Funds (proof)

• Canada requires proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies.
• Upload bank statements, proof of scholarships or letters of financial support (e.g., from parents or a sponsor). The total amount should cover your tuition, living expenses and return travel.
• Learn more about proof of financial support requirements.

Family Information Form (IMM 5707)

• If this form appears in your document checklist, enter the information for your immediate family members, including your spouse, children, parents and siblings. Note that this form doesn’t appear for all applicants, only those from certain countries.

Medical exam

• 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.
• 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.

Client information

• We recommend that you include a study plan in your application for a study permit. Upload the study plan in the Client Information section of your document checklist in your IRCC secure account. Learn more about study plans.

Once you’ve uploaded all required documents, review everything and ensure that the blue Next button appears at the bottom of the page.

Declaration

• This section informs you that the information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility for a study permit. It also explains that the IRCC (“CIC” on the form) may verify your information with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or with your Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• The form states that failure to provide truthful information can result in a denial of your study permit.
• By signing electronically with your surname and given name, you confirm that all the information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
• Read the Privacy Notice.

Once you complete this section, select the Sign button.

Summary

This section confirms the amount you need to pay and the application that you’ve just made.

Select Transmit and pay.

Check out

Enter your payment details to process the fees.

Cardholder information

• Enter your full name as it appears on the credit card.

Card information

• Enter the credit card number, expiration date (MMYY), and CVV code (the three-digit number on the back of the card).

Order summary

• You’ll see the final amount to be paid and a confirmation that the payment will be processed immediately.

Select Checkout.

Submission and confirmation

Once the payment has been processed, you’ll receive a submission confirmation via email.

• Biometrics instructions (if applicable):
  • If you must submit biometrics, you’ll receive a letter with instructions on how to do so at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). Book your appointment promptly.
  • If you aren’t able to book the appointment by deadline specified in the letter, use the Update or ask about your application: Other form to tell IRCC why you need more time. Make sure you provide details about your situation. For example, tell IRCC the date of your appointment and include a screen shot of the confirmation. IRCC will consider extending your deadline if you have a reasonable explanation that shows how you’ve been affected (for example, if the biometrics collection site in your country or territory is closed).