Application to study in Canada – Study permits
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online
You’re eligible to apply on paper only if you
- have a disability that prevents you from applying online
- hold an identity document or a travel document for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons
How to apply on paper for a study permit
Step 1: Read the guide and get your application package
Read the instruction guide carefully before you complete your application. We won’t refund your application fee, so make sure you’re eligible for a study permit before you apply.
Once you have read the guide, you can prepare your application package. You must select the country/territory from which you will be applying to get your local visa office instructions.
This application package is for applicants in Canada:
- Document Checklist: Study Permit [IMM 5483] (PDF, 1.08 MB)(opens in a new tab)
- Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada [IMM 1294]
- Family Information Form [IMM 5707] (PDF, 1.55 MB)(opens in a new tab)
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 2.22 MB)(opens in a new tab)
- Custodian Declaration [IMM 5646] (PDF, 2.43 MB)(opens in a new tab)
- Visa application photograph specifications
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 1.39 MB)(opens in a new tab)
Step 2: Complete your application and attach your documents
To make sure you submit all the pages of form IMM 1294 with your application package, follow these steps:
- Click the “Validate” button at the top or bottom of the form.
Note: If you validate the form before printing, you can make sure that you have answered all the questions and help avoid delays in processing your application.
- The last page of the form, with barcodes and a signature line, will automatically be created.
- Print, sign and date the form.
- For best results:
- print on white, bond-quality, non-glossy paper
- use a laser printer
- Place the barcode page on top of your package. If you have more than one package, place a separate barcode page on each one.
Find out more about barcode forms.
Your application may be delayed if any information or document is missing. The document checklist in the application package lists all the documents to include. Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully.
You and each one of your family members must fill out and sign their own forms even if you are travelling together as a family. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must sign your form.
Step 3: Pay your application fees
If you need an electronic travel authorization or visa
If you need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visa, we’ll issue it automatically at the same time as your study permit. You don’t need to apply separately or pay another fee.
In most cases, your fees will include:
- processing fees for you and anyone you include in your application
- biometrics
You’ll need to pay your fees before you submit your application. Our instruction guide(opens in a new tab) can help you understand which fees apply to you.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay fees to third parties for:
- medical exams
- police certificates
- language testing
- services at a visa application centre, if you use one
If you need to use a third party, pay them directly for their services.
Biometrics fee
In most cases, you should pay a biometrics fee when you pay your application fees. If you don’t, you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Step 4: Submit your application
You should apply online.
If you can’t apply online, you can submit a paper application in person or by mail to the visa application centre (VAC) in New York.
The VAC in Los Angeles stopped accepting study permit applications on April 1, 2019, so they may return your application package to you.
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How-to video
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