Information checked to 2 October 2026. Studying in Canada is not one automatic path from an admission letter to remaining permanently. The school and program, study permit, entry, work during studies, post-graduation work permit and later status each have separate conditions; approval at one stage does not guarantee the next or permanent residence.
Separate application, entry, study and post-graduation
Before applying, confirm the school is a DLI and check the program, start date, any PAL or TAL requirement, proof of funds and passport documents. A letter of acceptance supports an application but is not a study permit, and an approval letter does not guarantee admission at the border. Start with the IRCC study-permit hub. IRCC: study-permit documents
For travel and entry, carry the passport, visa or eTA where applicable, IRCC letter of introduction, admission letter, financial proof and other approval documents. A border officer confirms identity, documents and admissibility and issues the paper permit where applicable. Check the name, school, expiry and work conditions immediately and correct errors promptly. IRCC: arrival documents and admissibility
A SIN is an identifier for work and tax; it does not create work authorization. Apply for and use one only when permit conditions and IRCC rules allow work. Health coverage is provincial or territorial and may also involve a school plan, with different eligibility and start dates. Use the provincial health-card links and keep existing coverage until the new protection is effective. IRCC: SIN and work eligibility
Off-campus work requires IRCC eligibility, including a valid study permit or qualifying extension, an eligible program already started, full-time study and a SIN; certain final-semester part-time students have an exception. During classes the general limit is 24 hours weekly. Students cannot work while on leave or changing schools without studying. A scheduled break must be school-scheduled and last at least 7 consecutive days. For a break exceeding 150 consecutive days, off-campus work is limited to the first 150; unlimited-hour off-campus work across scheduled breaks is limited to 180 days per calendar year. A statutory holiday alone is not such a break. IRCC: off-campus eligibility IRCC: scheduled breaks IRCC international-student work rules
Students must continue meeting enrolment, active-study, designated-school and permit-expiry conditions. Leave, reduced course load, school transfer, early completion or expired documents may affect both status and work authorization. Use study-permit conditions whenever circumstances change.
A PGWP is not automatic. A DLI can offer programs that are not eligible; the start and application dates, program length, study method, language or field requirements and full-time history may matter. Before graduation, compare the exact school, program and timeline with PGWP eligibility and retain transcripts and completion evidence.
After graduation, the options may include a PGWP, another work permit, an extension or restoration, departure, or a permanent-residence program if eligible. None guarantees PR. Map the permit expiry, program completion, work-authorized start and application deadline, then act on the written IRCC rule in force at that time.