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Immigration Basics

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International Students and Immigration in Canada

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the department of the Government of Canada which manages immigration. It is important for you to understand immigration policies, your responsibilities as a temporary resident in Canada, as well as the policies and procedures for keeping your immigration documents valid.

To understand more about your status as an international student in Canada, it is first helpful to understand the different residency statuses in Canada, how international students fit into those categories, which immigration documents a required by international students, and how an international student can maintain their student status in Canada. 

There are three main residency categories in Canada:  

  1. Citizens of Canada,  
  2. Permanent Residents, 
  3. Temporary Residents.  

Visitors, international students, and foreign workers are all considered temporary residents. 

Entry documents versus status documents 

Entry documents authorize entry into Canada. Foreign nationals who wish to enter Canada require one or more of these depending on their country of residence. 

Status documents define what a foreign national is authorized to do once inside Canada. Status documents do not authorize entry into Canada.

Required Immigration Documents for Most International Students

As an international student, and as a temporary resident of Canada, there are a number of documents you require. 

Most international students will require the following: 

  • A valid passport
  • A valid study permit: international students in programs longer than 6 months need a valid study permit to study in Canada 
  • An entry document: Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). 
  • Documentation for your co-arriving family members

Maintaining your Immigration Status in Canada

You are responsible for maintaining your immigration status and obeying immigration regulations during your stay in Canada. 

Check your primary immigration documents, including your passport, study permit, and, if applicable, your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or work permit, to ensure they are valid and the information stated on them is accurate. In most cases, your Canadian immigration documents will not be issued past the expiry date of your passport.

If you extend your study permit or transition from student status to worker status by applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you will be required to extend other documents after you receive your new permit. 

Document When to extend
Passport At least 6 months prior to the expiration date.

*Note the processing times within Canada can be much longer than renewing your passport from your country of residence.
Study Permit 3-4 months prior to the expiration date.
Co-op Work Permit 3-4 months prior to the expiration date.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Before or after the expiration date. Note this is your entry document and it is required for entry into Canada. If it expires, do not leave Canada.

Typically the expiry aligns with your status document expiry (study permit/work permit) therefore once you extend your study permit or receive a post-graduation work permit, apply for a new TRV.
Social Insurance Number (SIN) Before the expiry date or after you extend your study permit or obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

The Conditions of Your Study Permit

Study permit holders are required to meet a number of conditions to keep their status valid. If these conditions are not met, a study permit holder you may lose their student status and may be directed to leave Canada.

Study permits must meet the following conditions:

  • be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI), unless exempt
  • actively pursue studies, by
    • being enrolled full-time or part-time (not recommended) during each mandatory academic term
    • make progress towards the completion of program of study
    • not taking authorized leaves longer than 150 days from study program (leave must be authorized by Trent)
    • inform IRCC each time you change post-secondary institutions
    • end your studies if no longer meet the requirements of being a student
    • leave Canada when status expires
    • other conditions noted on your study permit

Full-time Enrollment and Immigration

Full-time for international students is defined differently than domestic students. Remaining full-time enrolled during each mandatory term of your program has important immigration implications for international students in Canada. Remaining full-time enrolled will ensure you meet your study permit working conditions (if eligible), and will ensure you remain eligible for a future Post-Graduation Work Permit. 

How full-time enrollment is defined and the mandatory terms for your program depend on your level of studies.

LEVEL OF STUDY FULL-TIME DEFINITION
UNDERGRADUATE
  • A minimum of 2.0 credits in each mandatory term. The typical full-time course-load is 2.5 credits in each mandatory term.
  • Fall (Sept to Dec) and Winter (Jan to Apr) are deemed mandatory terms.
  • Summer (May to Aug) is an optional term with no course-load requirement. 
  • Permitted to be in less than a full-time courseload in final term of study and still remain eligible to work as per study permit working conditions and remain eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
POST-GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
  • A minimum of 2.0 credits in each mandatory term. However, certificate programs have a fixed schedule which requires students to take 2.5 credits in each mandatory term. 
  • Fall (Sept to Dec) and Winter (Jan to Apr) are deemed mandatory terms.
  • Summer (May to Aug) is an optional term with no course-load requirement. 
  • Permitted to be in less than a full-time courseload in final term of study and still remain eligible to work as per study permit working conditions and remain eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
GRADUATE (MASTERS/PHD)
  • Automatically full-time unless request part-time.
  • Fall (Sept to Dec) and Winter (Jan to Apr) and Summer (May to Aug) are deemed mandatory terms.
  • Permitted to be in less than a full-time courseload in final term of study and still remain eligible to work as per study permit working conditions and remain eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

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Disclaimer 

The immigration information on this page, and all other related immigration pages, has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information. 

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