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Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

r. 188 No permit required

  • PART 9 Temporary Residents
  • DIVISION 4 Study Without a Permit
  • Work Permits

Last verified: June 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca

The law says

IRPR r. 188
Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)

(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.

Exception

(2)Despite paragraph (1)(c), a foreign national may apply for a study permit before entering Canada for a course or program of studies of a duration of six months or less.

Amendment History (1)
  • SOR/2004-167, s. 52(F); SOR/2014-14, s. 6

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