You must ensure your study permit remains valid for the entire duration of your program. If your permit will expire before your program ends, you need to apply for an extension. We recommend that you submit your application five to six months before your current permit expires. Check the latest estimated processing times from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to get an idea of how long it might take to process your application.

If you’re outside Canada and your study permit is expiring, you must submit a new study permit application from outside Canada. Include documentation confirming that you’re a returning student.

If you’re in Canada with a valid study permit and you change institutions, you’ll need to apply for another study permit for your new institution. This applies whether you’re moving from high school to postsecondary studies or transferring between two postsecondary institutions.

Although you’ll receive a new study permit, the process is officially called a study permit extension.

Important: IRCC has confirmed that if you have a valid study permit to attend high school in Canada and you plan to start postsecondary education in Canada as well, you can begin your university program while your extension is being processed. However, you must apply before your current permit expires, and you can’t leave Canada after its expiry (until your extension has been approved).

If you’re transferring between two postsecondary institutions, you must wait to receive your new study permit before starting at the new institution.

Some students might be able to apply for an initial study permit from within Canada. To see who’s eligible for this, check IRCC's information on how to apply for a study permit, and select the “Within Canada” option under “Get specific instructions on how to apply.”

Note: Protected persons and their family members can apply for a study permit after entering Canada, whether or not they’ve applied for permanent residency.

If you’re eligible to apply for your first study permit from within Canada, the process is called a study permit extension. Follow the instructions in our study permit extension tutorial to prepare your application.

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs). While we aim to keep it accurate, it could change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.