Study Permits
If you are a legal resident, living in one of these countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago, or Vietnam, you have the option to apply for your study permit through Student Direct Stream (SDS) program. Please read about the requirements and instructions from the Government of Canada website if you are planning to apply through this program.
A study permit is a document that gives you permission to study and remain in Canada on a temporary basis. Study permit holders in Canada must follow specific rules and conditions to remain in good standing with Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
For more information on study permit rules, please watch Studying in Canada – Rules for International Students.
Why do I need it?
If you are planning on studying at NAIT in a designated learning program, or attending NAIT as an exchange or visiting student for more than 1 term, you need to apply for a study permit before you travel to Canada. You need a valid study permit before you start classes at NAIT.
If your program of studies or course in Canada is shorter than 6 months, you are not required to apply for a study permit. However, it is important to apply for one if you would like to work on campus or extend your studies after the initial 6-month period.
To maintain your immigration status as a student, you must actively pursue your studies by remaining enrolled in your program. In the event that you need to take an authorized leave from your studies, you will need to book an appointment with an International Student Advisor in the International Centre (Room W-101) to review your case.
What program do I need to enrol in to be eligible for a study permit?
In Alberta, international students are only allowed to study in Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) and programs. Although NAIT is a DLI, not all programs offered at NAIT are designated. In order to begin the process you must make sure you are enrolled in a Designated Learning Program. To begin that process please submit an Immigration inquiry to NAIT.ca/help.
How do I apply for a study permit?
How do I renew a study permit?
To Renew your study permit you have the following resources available:
If, after reading the guide and attending the workshop, you still have questions about extending your Study Permit, you can book an appointment with an Academic Advisor - International focus.
Important notes about your study permit
- You are required to actively pursue studies.
- Your study permit will become invalid 90 days after you complete your studies (even before your study permit's expiry date) OR on the expiry date of your study permit, whichever comes first.
- Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may request that you show you are complying with conditions of your study permit. This may be a random audit or due to specific concerns about your case.
- If your study permit expires and you have not applied for a new one, you may be eligible to restore it (only if you continue to meet the conditions of your expired study permit and you apply within 90 days).
- People who do not comply with the conditions of their study permit may be asked to leave Canada and cannot return for a year without written permission.
- For more information on working while on a study permit, watch Working in Canada - Rules for International students.
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) in compliance with the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice.
Looking for more information?
We're happy to help answer your questions. Feel free to submit any immigration questions to the NAIT Student Service Centre. You can also visit the Government of Canada's immigration and citizenship page for up to date information.
Not sure where to start? Find out how to apply and get your application going