A study permit is an official document issued by the Canadian government that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada for a limited period of time. It is a type of visa that permits foreign students to enter and remain in Canada for the duration of their studies.

A study permit will specify the level of study, the institution where the student is allowed to study, the duration of the program, and any conditions or restrictions imposed by the Canadian government. International students are required to obtain a valid study permit before entering Canada to study unless their program is less than six months in duration and does not require a study permit.

If the length of your study is less than six months, you do not need a study permit. You can register for the program and enter Canada as a visitor. You may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Canada depending on your nationality.

In Canada, a study permit is typically issued for the duration of the student's course of study. Additionally, an extra 90-day period is granted for students to leave the country or request an extension, if necessary.

Students often confuse a study permit with PGWP. A study permit is a document that allows foreign students to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. On the other hand, a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a document that allows international students who have graduated from a DLI in Canada to work in Canada for up to three years. To know more about the eligibility criteria for a PGWP, read our blog on

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A temporary resident visa (TRV) is referred to as a “visitor visa or “entry visa”. It is a travel document which enables you to enter Canada either for study or to visit in general. A TRV is an official counterfoil document issued by a visa office that is placed in a person’s passport to show that they have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident and they are eligible for travel. The requirements and application process for a TRV vary depending on the individual's country of citizenship, the purpose of their visit, and other factors.

A Spousal Open Work Permit is a legal document that allows the spouse or partner of a Student/Worker to work in Canada.If your spouse or partner is currently working or studying in Canada, or if you have applied to be sponsored for permanent residence by your spouse or partner, you may be eligible for open work permit. In the event that a spouse or partner's work permit application is approved, they will receive an open work permit that permits them to work for multiple employers in any part of Canada as long as their spouse maintains valid status in Canada or their application for permanent residency is being processed.

Foreign-born Canadians may have parents or grandparents still living in their home country, whom they miss dearly. They likely want to introduce them to their grandkids or their spouse, show them their home, or proudly show off their adopted country. Canada gives them a great opportunity to do so.Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for a “super visa,”. The super visa is a multi-entry visa issued for a period of up to 10 years. The key difference is that the super visa allows the parent/grandparent to stay for up to 5 years at a time in Canada, while a 10-year multiple entry visa also known as a visitor visa would only have a status period for each entry of six months only. They can stay in Canada for an extended period with a super visa than a visiting visa. The duration of the stay however is decided by a border services officer upon the visit.