Study Permit

Who’s eligible to apply for a Study Permit?

International students can apply for a study permit if they have received an official letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Red River College Polytechnic is a public DLI, with DLI# O19305836302 (note that the DLI number starts with the letter “O”).

See additional eligibility criteria.

When should you apply for a Study Permit?

You should apply for a study permit as soon as you receive a letter of acceptance from Red River College Polytechnic and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from RRC Polytech. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria and have the necessary documentation to avoid delays or rejection of your application.

How Much Does it Cost to Apply for a Study Permit?

• Application fee: $150 CAD
• Biometric Fee: C$85 per person or C$170 for a family of 2 or more

Note: Most applicants will need to provide biometrics. If you have previously submitted biometrics, use the check status tool to verify their validity and expiration date. Additional fees may apply.

How long does it take for a Study Permit to be processed?

To check the processing time on your study permit, click here and:

• Select “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)”
• Choose “Study permit (from outside Canada)”
• Select the country you are applying from

Once your study permit application is approved, you will receive a Letter of Introduction and either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The actual study permit will be issued only when you arrive in Canada at your port of entry (airport or land crossing). For more information on this process, see the following section.

Before You Apply: Solidify Your Plans

• Get a Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL):
  • Secure Your Spot: Obtain a formal Letter of Acceptance from RRC Polytech for your chosen program. Along with your LOA, RRC Polytech will also provide you with your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). You will need to provide both documents with your study permit application.
  • Important Update: As of January 22, 2024, most new international students must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with their study permit applications.
• Check Processing Times: Review the study permit processing times for your country of residence to plan your application effectively and ensure a smooth transition.

How to apply for a Study Permit?

Step 1: Create your document checklist and gather your documents:

• Visa Office Instructions: Visit the IRCC website and choose your country to download the specific instructions for your application. This will provide a complete checklist for your situation.
• Letter of Acceptance: This official document from RRC Polytech confirms your acceptance in your chosen program.
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of Manitoba that is provided to you by RRC Polytech.
• Co-Op Letter: If your Letter of Acceptance indicates a co-op component (“YES” for “Work Experience/Practicum”), include a co-op work permit application with your study permit application. In this case, your Letter of Acceptance can serve as your co-op letter. You’ll also need to answer “YES” to the IRCC question about work being an essential part of your studies.
• Digital Photo: Make sure your photo meets IRCC’s specifications.
• Medical Exam: A panel physician approved by IRCC must perform a medical exam. You will receive a request letter for this through your application portal. Find a panel physician near you using the IRCC website.
• Passport: Scan a copy of your passport’s biographical page and all pages with stamps or visas into a single file.
• Study Plan: This document explains your educational goals and motivations for studying in Canada. Here are the key points to cover:
  • Program of Study: Explain why you chose this specific program at RRC Polytech.
  • Educational Goals: Describe your academic objectives and how this program aligns with your career aspirations.
  • Why Canada?: Explain why you have chosen to study in Canada instead of your home country.
  • Impact on Employment: How will studying in Canada benefit your future job prospects back home?
  • Ties to Home Country: Demonstrate your intention to return home after your studies by mentioning family ties, financial commitments, or job opportunities.
  • Education History: Briefly summarize your past educational background.
  • Future Plans: Outline your plans after completing your studies, such as further education, returning home, or employment.
• Proof of Financial Support: You must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your living expenses and tuition fees in Canada. These funds can come from you or a sponsor (family member or organization).
  • Required amount: You will need to show you have enough to cover:
    • First-year tuition fees (as shown on your Letter of Acceptance)
    • Travel costs to and from Canada
    • Minimum living expenses: $20,635 for 2024 (subject to annual adjustments. See the IRCC website for the latest update.
    • Additional funds for any family members accompanying you
  • Acceptable proof of funds:
    • Bank statements (stamped) from Canadian or overseas accounts (covering at least 4-6 months)
    • Savings account details
    • Bank drafts
    • Other financial documents (employment letter, proof of business ownership, educational loan approval, proof of property ownership, proof of other income sources)
    • Proof of tuition payment or deposit payment ($5,000) (see instructions for printing your RRC Polytech Account Statement.
  • Foreign currency: If any documents show a foreign currency balance, include a screenshot of the Bank of Canada currency converter result (or use www.xe.com if your currency is not listed).
  • Sponsor funds:
    • If using funds from another person’s account (e.g., parent):
      • Include proof of their funding source.
      • Include a notarized letter (preferred) confirming their support for your studies in Canada.
• Document Organization: Prepare a summary or index page listing all your submitted documents. This will help clarify connections between documents if necessary.

Step 2: Prepare to Apply:

• Create an Online Account:
  • If you do not have an IRCC account or your account has expired, create a new one. It is recommended to use “GCKey username and password.”
  • Click the “Register for an account” button at the bottom of the page to create a username, password, and security questions. Choose “Register with GCKey username and password.”
  • After logging in, select “Apply to come to Canada” under “Start an application.”
  • Choose “Visitor, study and/or work permit” under “I do not have a Personal Reference Code.”
  • Complete the questionnaire to indicate your intention to study in Canada. If eligible, the system will show that you qualify for a Study Permit. Select this option and continue through the questionnaire to reach your document checklist.
  • Note: Ensure that all information provided in the IRCC eligibility questionnaire is accurate and truthful. Misrepresentation can lead to refusal of current or future immigration applications.
• Complete the Application Form(s):
  • IMM 1294 Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada:
    • Click “Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1294)” in your document checklist to download the latest version. Use the Instruction Guide 5269 to assist you.
    • Important Tips:
      • If this is your first IRCC application, leave the UCI (Unique Client Identifier) blank.
      • Red River College Polytechnic’s DLI number is O19305836302.
      • Use your Letter of Acceptance to answer questions about the duration of study.
      • Include details of any paid employment from the past ten years. If you have no work experience, include your secondary or post-secondary studies and state your occupation as a “student.”
      • No physical signature is needed for IMM 1294 when applying online. An electronic signature will be added before payment.
    • Validate & Upload:
      • Click the blue “Validate” button at the end of the form. Fix any highlighted errors and validate again. Save the validated form with the generated barcodes and upload it to your IRCC account.

• IMM5707 or IMM5645 Family Information Form:
  • If required, this form will appear in your document checklist. Download it from the checklist.
  • Complete the form on a computer and upload the electronic copy to your document checklist.

 
Step 3: Uploading your documents:

• Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1294)
• Letter of Acceptance from Red River College Polytechnic
• Provincial Attestation letter from the Province of Manitoba
• Co-Op Letter (if applicable)
• Family Information Form (IMM5645 or IMM5707, as required)
• Passport: Scanned the biographical page and all pages with stamps or visas into one file.
• Proof of Finances
• Digital photo
• Client information: Upload any documents required by your visa office which are not already included in your online document checklist
• Study Plan/Statement of Purpose
• Other visa office requirements: Combine all additional required documents into one PDF file and upload it under “Client Information.”
• NOTE: If you are applying via the Student Direct Stream (SDS), you will also need to upload:
  • Proof of a qualifying English Assessment test completed within the past two years
  • Proof of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of at least C$20,635 (adjusted annuallyand please refer to this link for the latest update)
  • Proof of payment of tuition for the first year of study (download a copy of your tuition receipt on the HUB account)

 
Step 4: Paying and Submitting Application

• Upload, Sign and Pay:
  • Review all uploaded documents for accuracy and completeness.
  • Click “Continue” after confirmation.
  • Provide your electronic signature by typing your full name as it appears on your passport.
  • Proceed to the payment section. Payment is made by credit card only.
• Application Fees:
  • Be prepared to pay the following fees:
    • Application Processing Fee: C$150
    • Biometric Fee: C$85 (per person) or C$170 (for a family of 2 or more)
    • Note: Most study permit applicants need to provide biometrics. If you’ve given biometrics before, use the check status tool to determine if your biometrics are valid and when they expire.
    • Additional fees may apply depending on your situation.
  • Confirmation and Follow-Up:
    • Take screenshots of your payment confirmation numbers and the “Acknowledgement of Receipt” page for your records.
    • Your application will be saved in your GCKey account for 60 days, allowing you to return and complete it later if needed.
    • Track the status of your application through your GCKey account.
    • If IRCC requests additional documents, you’ll receive an email with instructions for submitting them online through your GCKey account.
    • Respond to any requests for additional documents by the deadline to avoid delays or application refusal.

 
Step 5: What Happens Next:

• Application Approval:
  • You will receive a “Letter of Introduction” from IRCC if your application is approved. This is not your actual study permit, but it confirms its approval.
  • Keep this Letter of Introduction safe, as you must present it to a Border Services Officer upon arrival in Canada. CBSA officer will issue your official study permit at the port of entry.
  • Co-op Work Permit: If your application includes a co-op work permit, you will receive the physical copy at the port of entry. Your Letter of Introduction will specify the type of permits approved.
• Entry Documents:
  • Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): If you require a TRV to enter Canada, IRCC will contact you for your passport to add the visa.
  • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): If an eTA is required, you will receive it electronically upon approval of your study permit application. Details regarding the eTA will be included in your Letter of Introduction.
• Application Refusal:
  • In the case of a refused application, IRCC will send you a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal.
  • Important: If your application is refused, you must provide your refusal letter to RRC Polytech within 30 days. This is necessary to initiate a refund of your tuition deposit. Failure to do so may result in forfeiting your deposit.