Overview and When to Apply

The study permit, issued by Immigration Canada, is a mandatory immigration document for all international students at McGill unless you benefit from a specific exemption (see Who can study without a permit). It authorizes you to study in Canada and grants you your immigration status as a student in Canada. 

International students who do not apply to renew their study permit before their current one expires may be deregistered from McGill.

The Study Permit: 

1. In order to study in Quebec, you must:
   1. Hold a valid study permit for the entire duration of your studies (if your study permit will expire before the end of your program, you must apply to renew it).
   2. Meet the conditions of your study permit for the duration of your studies.
2. If your study permit will expire before you complete your program of studies, you must:
   1. Apply to extend it even if you have only one semester left. You must have a valid study permit for the entire duration of your program.
   2. Apply to extend it before it expires in order to benefit from maintained status. If you don't do this, you will lose your status as a student in Canada and you will not be authorized to resume studying or working until you obtain a new study permit.
   3. Have a CAQ that is valid beyond the expiration date of your current study permit. A study permit is normally issued with an expiration date that matches your CAQ.
   4. Have valid biometrics. Check the expiry date of your biometrics. Your new study permit cannot be issued beyond the expiry date of your biometrics.
   5. Have a valid passport. Your new study permit cannot be issued past the expiry date of your passport. Ideally, your passport should be valid for the remainder of your studies.

Study Permit Conditions:

You must respect the conditions of your study permit during your studies. These conditions include:

• Being enrolled at a designated learning institute (DLI)
• Actively pursuing your studies
• Applying to extend your study permit to change post-secondary schools
• Applying to extend your study permit, change your status, or leave Canada before your study permit expires.
• Respecting any limits you may have on your ability to work in Canada

Study Permit Validity: 

Your study permit remains valid until: 

• the date of expiry listed on the study permit,
• 90 days after you receive proof of program completion from McGill or
• the date that you are no longer enrolled at the university (besides due to the completion of your studies)

Whichever date comes first!

if you have withdrawn from the university or take a gap term, contact ISS.

Co-op/Internship Work Permit:

If your program includes a mandatory co-op (or mandatory internship, stage, practicum, clinical, field experience, etc.), you must have a co-op work permit (CWP) in order to participate.

Programs that require you to have a valid CWP include, but are not limited to:

• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Nursing
• Some Engineering programs – e.g. Mining Engineering Co-op

For more information, see our Co-op/Internship Work Permit webpage.

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