How do I apply for a study permit for Canada (and study in Québec)?

✓ Verified answer Written from official pages, with checked citations and a verification date.

General information, not immigration advice. The study permit is the document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to study at a designated learning institution; most foreign nationals need one and must apply before coming to Canada. To study in Québec, you must first get a Québec acceptance certificate from the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration, then include it with your permit application. The permit fee is $150 and processing times vary by country: check the official page.

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Key facts

Study permit fee: $150 (check the official page when you apply).
Biometrics fee: $85 CAN for one person; a maximum of $170 CAN in total for family members who apply at the same time.
Permit processing time: It varies by country; see the official IRCC page for the current time.
Time for the Québec acceptance certificate: 25 business days if the application is complete.
When to apply: As a general rule, before coming to Canada.
Québec acceptance certificate: exceptions: It is not required, for example, for a study program of 6 months or less. The ministry page lists the other situations.

Your procedure, step by step

Start the official procedure Official page: Study permit (IRCC) (opens in a new tab)https://www.canada.ca/fr/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/etudier-canada/permis-etudes.html

Check that you can study in Canada: be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI), show you can pay your tuition, your living costs and your return transportation, and be able to convince an officer that you will leave Canada when your permit expires.
Get your letter of acceptance from your institution: it is always required and is uploaded in your online application.
Ask your institution for a provincial or territorial attestation letter: it is needed in most cases.
If you will study in Québec, submit a temporary selection application for studies as soon as you receive your admission letter, to get your Québec acceptance certificate. If the application is complete, it is processed within 25 business days. Your permit application must then include the confirmation of issuance of this certificate.
Gather the other documents: a copy of your valid passport or travel document, 2 recent passport-size photos, proof of funds, and a letter explaining why you want to study in Canada (recommended). Depending on your situation, you may also be asked for a medical exam or a police certificate.
Submit your study permit application online, whether you are outside Canada or already in the country (paper is reserved for specific cases, such as a disability that prevents you from applying online). Pay the application fee, and the biometrics fee if it applies.
Give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) if you are asked to: you have 30 days from the date shown in the letter.
Wait for the decision. If your application is approved and you applied from abroad, IRCC sends you a port of entry introduction letter to show at the border; this letter is not your permit. If it is refused, you receive a letter explaining the reasons.

Start the official procedure Official page: Study permit (IRCC) (opens in a new tab)https://www.canada.ca/fr/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/etudier-canada/permis-etudes.html

Your progress is kept on this device only: nothing is sent to Demande au Québec. Some steps only apply in certain situations: skip the ones that do not concern you.

General information drawn from official sources. It does not replace legal, medical or financial advice. For your situation, contact the organization concerned or a professional.

Sources

Permis d'études (Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC))
Permis d'études : qui peut présenter une demande (Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC))
Permis d'études : obtenez les documents requis (Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC))
Permis d'études : comment présenter une demande (Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC))
Permis d'études : après avoir présenté une demande (Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC))
Obtenir les autorisations pour étudier au Québec : autorisations requises (Gouvernement du Québec (Québec.ca))
Permis d'études du gouvernement fédéral (Gouvernement du Québec (Québec.ca))

Checked on October 6, 2026. Rules, deadlines and fees can change: always confirm on the official page above. Demande au Québec is an independent website, not a government site.

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