In order to apply for study permit under regular stream, you must have the following:

• enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)
• prove you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees
• have enough money for living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
• return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• obey the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate (if required)
• are in good health and get a medical exam (if required)
• prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).

We try to process most SDS applications within 20 calendar days. However, some applications may take longer.

To get faster processing, you must

• give your biometrics as soon as possible
• meet all the eligibility requirements below:

Eligibility requirements 

To be eligible for faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must:

• be a legal resident living in 1 of the following countries:
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Brazil
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • India
  • Morocco
  • Pakistan
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Senegal
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Vietnam
• have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution
• live outside of Canada when you apply
• have proof you have paid your tuition for your first year of study
• have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000
• have a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration
  • This is only if you’re planning to study in Quebec
• get a medical exam before you apply (if you need one)
• get a police certificate before you apply (if you need one)
• have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)
• have a language test result that shows either:
  • an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic or general training score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening), or
  • a Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)  score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)

We can help you to get your study permit faster through Student Direct Stream.