Effective December 1, 2023, a revised version of the study permit application form (IMM1294) has been introduced for international students applying to study in Canada. This updated form is mandatory for all applications submitted through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) secure account from that date onward. Any applications utilizing the older version of the form, submitted on or after December 1, 2023, will not be accepted. It is imperative for foreign nationals seeking a study permit, particularly those applying on or after December 1, 2023, to familiarize themselves with these new application procedures.
A study permit is required for international students enrolling in academic, professional, vocational, or other courses at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada for a period exceeding six months. Students are advised to adhere to the regulations outlined in their study permit, maintaining an updated profile on their online account while studying in Canada. It is essential to understand the duration of stay permitted and the necessary steps to take if planning to extend the stay beyond the program’s completion.
Furthermore, there are specific provisions for foreign nationals undertaking courses or study programs lasting no more than six months, allowing entry or continued stay in Canada without the need for a study permit. Additionally, a temporary public policy, effective from June 27, 2023, to June 27, 2026, permits certain foreign nationals with a valid work permit, or those in the process of renewing it, to work and study in Canada without a study permit.
For post-secondary full-time students, on-campus employment is permitted without a separate work permit, provided it aligns with their study permit’s duration and full-time enrollment status. Additionally, certain students can engage in off-campus employment without a work permit, subject to specific conditions, including working full-time during breaks between academic sessions and part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during regular academic sessions.
It’s worth noting that the regulations governing work permits for international students in Canada, allowing unlimited hours during certain periods, are set to expire. From November 15, 2022, to December 31, 2023, international students were allowed to work more than 20 hours per week off-campus while classes were in session. However, as of December 31, 2023, the 20-hour workweek limit will be reinstated for international students unless they have specific off-campus employment authorization on their study permit, as per the new work permit regulations implemented in November 2022.