Study Permit Guide

1. ✅ Permit Length

  • A Canadian study permit can cover the entire program (e.g., 4 years) + 90 extra days.
  • You may not need to apply every year.

Three things can shorten the permit:

  • Passport expiry – Permit will not go beyond passport expiry.
  • Proof of Funds – IRCC asks for proof of money for the first year, but they also check if your child can afford to stay in Canada for the full program.
  • Program Length – Your Letter of Acceptance from DEVI School indicates this.

📌 Permits that are granted for a shorter period can be extended. Many parents apply for one year and then apply for extensions.

2. 💰 Proof of Funds

You must show you can afford

  • Tuition fees
  • Living expenses
  • Return ticket

📌 DEVI School fees include tuition and boarding. However, you may still need to show the amount of Financial Support IRCC outlines.

Documents to include:

  • Proof of school fees paid
  • Bank statements (4 months)
  • Fees Schedule from the school
  • Canadian bank account or GIC
  • Employment and Tax Records 
  • Sponsor Info  (If someone else is paying for the student, include a signed and notarized letter from them, along with their bank or job documents.)

📌 All documents must be translated if not in English or French.

3. 📝 The Student is The Applicant

  • In filling out the online application all answers should reflect the student’s personal details.
  • A parent or agent can help but must fill it out as if the student is answering.
  • If an agent helps, include Form IMM 5476 (Use of a Representative).

4. 🏫 School Eligibility (DLI Requirement)

All Canadian public and private high schools are automatically approved as Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). So, for the question “Have you been accepted to a DLI?”, the answer here is YES, even though they are not individually listed on IRCC’s DLI online list.

5. ✈️ Permit & Entry Visa/Authorization

  1. Study Permit – lets you study
  2. Entry Document – lets you enter the country
    • TRV (visa) for most countries
    • eTA (electronic approval) for visa-free countries

📌 When your study permit is approved,  IRCC will send the correct entry document.

6. 👨‍👩‍👧 Custodian Requirement

If the student is under 17 and not with a parent, a custodian is required. DEVI School will designate a custodian for your child who takes responsibility for the student while studying in Canada.

Form IMM 5646 must be completed:

  • Page 1: Custodian signs in Canada (notarized in Canada)
  • Page 2: Parent(s) sign in home country (notarized)

7. Legal Guardian

When asked whether a student will reside in Canada with a parent or ‘legal guardian’, the term ‘legal guardian’ here does NOT refer to the custodian. So the answer to this question would be NO in almost all cases. Even if you are traveling with your child to bring him/her to school, the answer is still No.

8. Medical Examination

Some students must get a medical exam. This is also required if the student lived in certain countries for 6 months or more in the past year before coming to Canada.

9. 📚 Helpful Official Resources