Individuals who wish to study at an educational institution in Canada are required to fulfil a number of eligibility criteria in order to apply for a study permit. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she maintains legal status in Canada for the duration of the studies. This may involve applying for a renewal of the study permit.

Some exceptions apply, as follows:

• Minor children: Children of temporary residents who are in Canada on valid work or study permits are entitled to attend preschool, elementary school and high school programs without a study permit. If they wish to continue their education in a Canadian post-secondary institution, however, a study permit is required.
• Study programs of six months or less: Individuals who are in Canada without a study permit may be able to apply for a short-term study program that can be completed before expiry of their visas or work permits. For example, a foreign worker who is in Canada on a valid work permit can pursue a six-month certificate program to upgrade his or her skills. However, if the work permit expires before the program of study is complete, the individual will not be allowed to stay in Canada in order to complete the program.
• Individuals accompanying foreign diplomats: If a foreign diplomat is stationed to work in Canada, certain accompanying individuals may pursue programs of study without applying for a study permit. These include the diplomat’s spouse or common-law/conjugal partner, dependent children or grandchildren, and private staff members.
• Foreign armed forces: Members of the armed forces of countries named as designated states may study in Canada without applying for a study permit. These countries, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:
• Albania
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Australia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Belize
• Benin
• Botswana
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Cameroon
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Ghana
• Greece
• Guyana
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Ivory Coast
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Korea
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macedonia
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Moldova
• Nepal
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Norway
• Oman
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Slovak Republic
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sudan
• Sweden
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turkey
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Uzbekistan
• Venezuela
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe