You can apply for a study permit from inside Canada in several situations: you already hold a study permit or a work permit, you apply within the 90 days before or after your study authorization expires, you are under a removal order that cannot be enforced, or you hold a temporary resident permit good for at least six months. Preschool, primary, and secondary students, exchange students at a designated institution, and people finishing a prerequisite course also qualify. Family members of someone here on a study or work permit can apply from inside Canada too.
(1)A foreign national may apply for a study permit after entering Canada if they (a)hold a study permit; (b)apply within the period beginning 90 days before the expiry of their authorization to engage in studies in Canada under subsection 30(2) of the Act, or paragraph 188(1)(a) of these Regulations, and ending 90 days after that expiry; (c)hold a work permit; (d)are subject to an unenforceable removal order; (e)hold a temporary resident permit issued under subsection 24(1) of the Act that is valid for at least six months; (f)are a temporary resident who(i)is studying at the preschool, primary or secondary level,(ii)is a visiting or exchange student who is studying at a designated learning institution, or(iii)has completed a course or program of study that is a prerequisite to their enrolling at a designated learning institution; or (g)are in a situation described in section 207.
(2)A family member of a foreign national may apply for a study permit after entering Canada if the foreign national resides in Canada and the foreign national (a)holds a study permit; (b)holds a work permit; (c)holds a temporary resident permit issued under subsection 24(1) of the Act that is valid for at least six months; (d)is subject to an unenforceable removal order; (e)is a member of the armed forces of a country that is a designated state described in paragraph 186(d); (f)is an officer of a foreign government described in paragraph 186(e); (g)is a participant in sports activities or events, as described in paragraph 186(h); (h)is an employee of a foreign news company as described in paragraph 186(i); or (i)is a person who is responsible for assisting a congregation or group, as described in paragraph 186(l).
215.1 An application for a study permit that names a designated learning institution that is a post-secondary institution must be returned to the applicant without being processed, along with all documents submitted in support of the application and the fee for processing it, if that designated learning institution does not provide the confirmation referred to in paragraph 222.1(1)(a) to the Minister in accordance with that paragraph, subject to any extension granted under subsection 222.1(2).