Do I Need a Permit to Study Online in Canada?

The Covid 19 pandemic has changed education across the globe, with online learning becoming the new norm, there has been some confusion surrounding whether a permit is required to study in Canada online.

Whether or not you require a study permit to study online in Canada will depend on your program.

Here are some instances where you may not require a study permit to study online in Canada or even an open work permit in Canada.

 
1. Distance Learning

If your educational program is considered distance learning, you can not apply for a study permit to study in Canada. Immigration, refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) considers distance learning to be a process where a student does not need to be physically where the teaching is taking place. It should be noted that distance learning is different from courses or programs that are temporarily online due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

If your distance learning requires any portion of the program to be complete in Canada for example the in-person exams and tutorials. If this is the case, and the overall course is longer than 6 months, you will require a study permit for the in-Canada portion of the program.

If you are studying a program that is entirely distance learning, you can do so in Canada on a visitor permit. Likewise, if you are already in Canada on a work permit, Canada Express entry you complete your distance learning without applying for a study permit.

2. Programs less than 6 months long

If your educational course in Canada is six months long or less, you will not require a study permit to study online. According to Canada’s immigration laws, foreign nationals that intend to attend a program of study that is six months long or less do not require a study permit.

However, foreign nationals should still apply for a study permit, even if the duration is six months or less. This will make it easy to renew or change the conditions of their study permit if needed for further studies.

3. Courses of general interest or self-improvement

If you are planning to complete a course that is of general interest to you, or for self-improvement, you may not need a study permit to study in Canada through an online mode.

A general interest or self-improvement course is one that is taken for non-academic reasons and doesn’t typically result in a degree or diploma.

These courses are not considered studies for Canada’s immigration laws and therefore do not require a permit.

4. Audited Courses

If you are using an academic course without claiming credits, or without the ability to claim credits in the future, you may be eligible to study in Canada online without a study permit.

Other exemptions

Other individuals that are not required to obtain a study permit to study in Canada, online or in person include minor children living in Canada, family members, and private staff of diplomats and members of the Foreign Armed Forces in Canada.

Studying at a Canadian Designated Learning Institute

For those studying online from outside of Canada, it may be worth securing a Canadian study permit. Many foreign nationals choose to study in Canada with the end goal of applying for a postgraduate Work permit.

If you want to come to Canada to study at a post-secondary level, make sure that your school and program of study are on this list of Canadian DLIs.

Some students that complete a Canadian course online from outside of Canada may count a large portion of their studies toward the length of a Post Graduate Work Permit(PGWP).

A PGWP can be issued for up to three years and allows an international graduate to work anywhere in Canada, in any job. The length of a PGWP depends on the length of international graduate studies.

Since the Covid 19 pandemic, Canada has allowed international students to count time spent studying online outside of Canada toward the length of their PGWP. This Policy was extended from the end of November until August 2022. That means any time spent studying online outside of Canada can count toward the length of a PGWP until August 31, 2022.

It is important to note that, to count this time toward your PGWP, you must be on a valid study permit. Canada has continued issuing permits to students abroad that wish to study In Canada.

Who needs a study permit?

When a research authorization is needed foreign nationals must get a study permit before attending a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada for more than 6 months of academic, professional, vocational, or other education or training.

The following activities are not considered studies and do not require a study visa under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA):

1. Kindergarten (pre-kindergarten)

2. General interest or self-improvement courses

3. Distance education

4. Audited programs (typically by sitting in on an academic course, but without obtaining credit for it, or having the ability to obtain credit for it retroactively).

Who is exempt from the requirement for a study permit?

A foreign national is exempt from the study permit requirement in the following situations:

1. Minor children inside Canada

2. Family members and members of the private staff of accredited foreign representatives

3. Members of the armed forces of a country designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act

4. Short-term courses

5. Registered Indians

-          Members of accredited foreign representatives' families and private staff

A study permit is not required for family members or members of the private staff of a foreign representative who is properly accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and is in Canada to carry out official duties as a diplomatic agent, consular officer, representative or official of a country other than Canada, the United Nations or any of its agencies, or any international organization of which Canada is a member. Anyone travelling to Canada on assignment, including their families, must have diplomatic or official visas.

-          Members of a country's armed services designated for Visiting Forces Act purposes

According to paragraph 188(1)(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, members of the armed forces of a nation that is a recognized state who are coming to attend training for a period of more than 6 months do not require a study permit (IRPR).

These persons are also excluded from obtaining a temporary resident visa (TRV) under paragraph R190(3)(d) or electronic travel authorization (eTA). A person designated as a civilian component of the visiting force is also considered a member. There are no exceptions for family members.

-          Short-term courses

Foreign nationals may enter Canada or remain in Canada without a study permit to attend a course or program of study of 6 months’ duration or less.

This exemption helps to facilitate access to short-term courses, regardless of their subject matter. The course or program of study may be part-time or full-time and should be completed within the period authorized upon entry (i.e., up to 6 months).

The duration of the course or program of study is often a more important consideration than the number of months the foreign national intends to study.

With the exception of exchange programs, even if foreign nationals plan to study for 6 months or less, if the course or program is longer than 6 months, they need a study permit.

While a foreign national may attend a short-term course or program without a study permit at a non-DLI, they may not be issued a study permit to attend courses at a non-DLI.

-          Subsequent course or program of study

Generally, foreign nationals in Canada without a study permit wishing to enrol in a subsequent course or program of study must apply outside Canada and obtain a study permit in the normal manner (e.g., at a Canadian visa office abroad).

Foreign nationals without a study permit will not be granted an extension of their authorized stay as a visitor simply for the purpose of completing a short-term course or program of fewer than 6 months that would last beyond their original authorized period of stay at Immigration.

Refugees and Citizenship Canada (CICC) recognizes that long-term visitors and foreign workers may engage in occasional studies or programs of study lasting 6 months or less at any time during their stay in Canada.

It is therefore recommended that foreign nationals be encouraged to apply for a study permit or open work permit in Canada, for a short-term course or program of study if they intend to apply for another program afterwards or work on the campus of the university or college at which they are a full-time student.

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