Eligibility Criteria

• You must have been accepted by a ‘designated learning institution’ in Canada.
• You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your:
• tuition fees
• living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
• You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
• You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

As of June 1, 2014, you may qualify to work off campus without a work permit. If you qualify, your study permit will allow you to:

• work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions
• work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break

To qualify for off-campus work permit:

• You must have a valid study permit
• You must be a full-time student
• You must be enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level
• You must be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is, at least, six months in duration.

If the official length of your program of study is:

• less than eight months
• you are not eligible for Post Graduate Work Permit
• less than two years but more than eight months
• you may get a work permit for a period no longer than the length of your program of study (for example, if you studied for nine months, a work permit may be issued for a period of nine months)
• two years or more
• a work permit may be issued for three years