Canada is home to millions of people that are either current students or once came to Canada as students. Canada welcomes students from all walks of life and provides a safe, inclusive, and open environment for them to receive a world class education.

If you are thinking about studying in Canada, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible to study in Canada.

• you must secure an offer of studies from a designated learning institution
• your program of study is more than 6 months
• you must demonstrate that you can financially support yourself while in Canada
• you have a legitimate reason to come to Canada
• you are admissible in Canada
• you will return to your home country after completing your studies

If you are already studying in Canada and wish to extend your stay, you may be able to do so by applying to extend your status as a student. It is important that you apply to extend your status as soon as possible, but in general, 30 days before the expiry of your immigration status is acceptable.

An application to extend your status is subject to the requirements necessary to become a temporary resident in Canada. You must abide by the terms of your stay and that means leaving Canada before your status has expired.

If you are a legal spouse of a study permit holder, you can benefit from Canada’s generous and liberal public policy for spouses. Spouses can work in Canada on an open work permit if you are the accompanying spouse that is studying in Canada legally.