If you are applying for a Study Permit for the first time, you may do so at the nearest Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission as soon as you receive your Offer of Admission from the University of Toronto and decide to accept. International students must obtain an initial Study Permit before they enter Canada as it legally entitles them to study.  If you are from a country on this list, then you may also need an entry visa (Temporary Resident Permit) to enter Canada legally.

If you already have a study permit which requires renewal, please see the section on Extending Your Study Permit Within Canada . Before completing the application, students should review the CIC Application Guide for Applying for a Study Permit Outside of Canada.

The following documents are needed to apply for an initial study permit:

1. Original Offer of Admission from the University of Toronto
2. Completed application form for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada [IMM 1294]
3. Valid passport
4. Two photos, as specified by Appendix B of the CIC Application Guide. On the back of one photo write your name and date of birth.
5. Proof of funds to support yourself during your stay. For a single student, the minimum amount you will need to show is tuition plus $10,000 CAN for a 12 month period;  an additional $4000 with a spouse; $3000 for each additional dependent.
6. Medical examination if required
7. Application fee of $125 in an acceptable format
8. The document checklist [IMM 5483E] required by CIC, as well as the document checklist & documents required by the  Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission in your country, along with your country’s regulations.

You must submit your application to the Canadian visa office responsible for your area. Consult the relevant visa office or its website regarding accepted methods of submitting applications (such as general mail, in person, by courier, etc.). As of May 1, 2011, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has launched an electronic application process for citizens of 14 countries.  If you are not a citizen of the outlined 14 countries please continue to follow the standard procedure detailed above to apply for a new study permit.

 IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Citizens and Permanent Residents of the United States, Greenland, St.Pierre and Miquelon may obtain a Study Permit from Immigration authorities at the port of entry as they enter Canada as long as all of the documentation listed above is provided. It will take less time than applying at a Canadian Consulate in the US.

• If you are an international student who has studied at a Canadian high school, you must apply to “Change the Conditions” on your Study Permit to indicate that you are now at a post-secondary institution. You should do this upon receipt of your  Offer of Admission from the University of Toronto.

• CIC may ask international students under the age of 18 to have a Canadian Citizen act as a guardian. The University of Toronto cannot take responsibility to act as guardian. It will be the responsibility of the student’s family to satisfy this requirement.

• If you are issued a Letter of Introduction instead of an actual Study Permit while in your home country, you must submit this letter to a Canadian immigration officer on arrival at the airport/border to obtain your actual Study Permit.