Some people can study here with no study permit at all: family members and private staff of an accredited foreign representative, members of the armed forces of a designated state, and anyone whose course runs six months or less and finishes inside their authorized stay. The section names one further group as well. Even for a short course you are still free to apply for a permit before arriving, which many students do because it makes continuing to study afterwards far simpler.
(1)A foreign national may study in Canada without a study permit (a)if they are a family member or a member of the private staff of a foreign representative who is properly accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and who is in Canada to carry out official duties as a diplomatic agent, consular officer, representative or official of a country other than Canada, of the United Nations or any of its agencies or of any international organization of which Canada is a member; (b)as a member of the armed forces of a country that is a designated state for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act, including a person who has been designated as a civilian component of those armed forces; (c)if the duration of their course or program of studies is six months or less and will be completed within the period for their stay authorized upon entry into Canada; or (d)if they are an Indian.