Study Permit: Everything you need to know to study for a year in Canada

If you are thinking about spending a school year or a full semester in Canada, there is one process you cannot leave until the last minute: the Study Permit. This is the official document that authorizes a student to study in Canada for more than six months, and without it, traveling is simply not possible.

Understanding what it consists of, how it works, and which mistakes to avoid will help you arrive fully prepared. Here is everything you need to know.

What is a Study Permit?

The Study Permit is the official permit issued by the Canadian government (IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) that allows a foreign student to pursue studies in Canada for a period of more than six months.

It is not a tourist visa or a simple entry authorization: it is a document specifically designed for long-term educational stays (6 months or more), such as a semester or a full year at a Canadian public school.

How do you apply? The step-by-step process

The process is well-structured and, with the right documentation, completely manageable. It is divided into four stages:

Step 1 – Preparing the documentation

Before opening any forms, you need to gather all the necessary documents: those from the student, the parents or guardians, and the Canadian school.

This last point is critical: without the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issued by the school district, it is impossible to start the application. MLQ manages the process of obtaining this document as part of the program.

Step 2 – Submitting the application online

Once all the documentation is gathered, the official forms are completed and everything is uploaded to the Canadian immigration platform (IRCC). It is a digital process that requires close attention to detail to avoid making mistakes on the forms.

Step 3 – Biometrics appointment

After submitting the application, the Canadian government requests the student's biometrics: fingerprints and a photo. This appointment takes place in person in Madrid and lasts between 15 and 20 minutes.

Step 4 – Decision and approval

Once the previous steps are completed, all that's left to do is wait for the Canadian government's decision.

Timeline and costs

It is essential not to leave this process until the last minute. These are the timelines to keep in mind:

• Processing time: between 4 and 12 weeks from the moment the complete application is submitted.
• Approximate cost of the process: around €170.
• Exception for Quebec: students going to this province must first obtain the CAQ (Certificat d’acceptation du Québec). This is an additional provincial permit that costs €550 and must be processed before applying for the federal Study Permit.

Since the process can take up to three months, it is essential to start preparing the documentation well in advance of your departure date.

Required documents

The required documentation is divided into three sections:

Student documents:

• Valid passport (scanned copies of all used pages)
• National ID card (DNI)
• Official passport-sized photo according to IRCC specifications
• Multilingual birth certificate

Parent or guardian documents:

• Passports of both parents
• Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476)
• Notarized travel authorization signed by both parents
• Custodian Declaration (form IMM 5646): appointment of a legal guardian in Canada, mandatory for minors under 18

Canadian school documents:

• Letter of Acceptance (LOA): official acceptance letter from the school district. Without this document, the application cannot be started.
  

Financial proof: This is the most sensitive part of the process. The Canadian government requires families to prove they have sufficient financial capacity to support the student's stay. The reference amount is €17,000, which is the official estimate for a student's annual cost of living in Canada.

The strongest way to prove this is by submitting an official bank certificate showing an available balance of €17,000 or more, along with proof that the school tuition has already been paid. This option builds greater confidence with the immigration officer and reduces the risk of additional documentation being requested.

An important point to clarify: the €17,000 is not a payment to the Canadian government, it is not frozen in the account, and it is not transferred or lost. It is solely a demonstration of financial solvency.

Common mistakes to avoid

Throughout the process, there are a number of common mistakes that happen quite frequently and can delay or complicate the application:

• Starting too late. With processing times taking up to 12 weeks, applying for the Study Permit at the last minute could mean not having it ready in time for the start of the program.
• Not having the LOA before applying. Many families try to start the process without having received the school's letter of acceptance yet. Without this document, the application cannot be submitted.
• Incomplete or incorrect documentation. Any inconsistency in the forms, a photo that does not meet the specifications, or a poorly prepared document can lead to delays or requests for correction.
• Insufficient financial proof. Submitting bank statements without an official certificate, or falling short of the reference amount, is one of the most common causes of delays or visa refusals.
• Forgetting the CAQ for Quebec. Families planning to go to Quebec sometimes overlook that this provincial permit is mandatory and must be obtained prior to the federal Study Permit.
• Confusing the eTA with the Study Permit. These are two different documents for different situations. For long-term stays at public schools, a Study Permit is always required—with no exceptions.

My Language Quest handles everything

The Study Permit process has many moving parts to coordinate: official forms, notarized documents, communication with the school district, biometrics appointments, financial proof... Properly managed, it is a process that goes smoothly, but it requires careful attention, organization, and a solid understanding of the Canadian immigration system.

At MLQ, we take care of every single step. We secure the Letter of Acceptance, prepare and review all the documentation, and guide your family through the financial proof process. You don't have to face this alone.

If you want to start preparing your child's Study Permit, contact our team here, and we will explain everything you need to know.