Study Permits, Work Permits and Visas

International Student Advisors (ISA)
Study Permit, Work Permit & Visas

IMPORTANT! International students are responsible for maintaining valid immigration documents and legal status in Canada throughout the duration of their program of studies. Students who are out-of-status cannot study or work in Canada.

Study Permit Extension

Co-op Work Permit

PGWP (Post Graduation Work Permit)

TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) & eTA (electronic Travel Authorisation)

Study Permit Extension

Co-op Work Permit

PGWP (Post Graduation Work Permit)

TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) & eTA (electronic Travel Authorisation)

What is a study permit?	A study permit is your official immigration document that authorizes you to study legally in Canada. Your study permit must remain valid throughout your studies in Canada (it can be extended if required). You must also meet the conditions of your study permit in order to remain in Canada as a student. Your study permit may also give you permission to work on and/or off-campus.
When to apply to extend a study permit?	We recommend you apply for a study permit extension at least 3 months before the expiry date of your current study permit.
Cost (subject to change)	$150.00 CAD for a study permit. $85.00 CAD for biometrics, if applicable.
Processing time (estimate)	Check IRCC processing times here
Tips for applying	You can only apply to extend your study permit from within Canada. If you are outside of Canada, you need to either; return to Canada (if you have a valid permit and visa or eTA) then apply from within Canada; or apply for a new study permit via an IRCC visa office outside of Canada. A study permit duration cannot extend beyond the expiry of your passport. If your passport will expire soon or before the end of your program, consider extending your passport before you apply for a study permit extension. Typically, your study permit should be valid for approximately 3 months (90 days) beyond the end of your program – this is to ensure your permit covers the duration of your studies and allows time to apply for a new permit e.g. a PGWP (Post Graduation Work Permit). If your study permit expires during your final term or immediately after you expect to complete your studies, you should apply to extend it to obtain the additional 3 months. The earliest you can apply to extend your study permit is 6 months before the expiry of your current study permit. If you require a co-op work permit (or to extend your co-op work permit), you can do this at the same time as your study permit extension – it’s one combined application. Some applicants may require a medical exam. If you require a medical exam you can choose to either: complete a medical exam before applying (referred to as an ‘up-front medical’); or wait until after applying (IRCC will send a request). A medical exam for immigration purposes must be completed by an IRCC approved panel physician.

What is a Co-op work permit?	A co-op work permit is a work permit issued by IRCC to students who must complete a mandatory work element as part of their academic program.
Who needs a co-op work permit?	Students enrolled in programs that have a mandatory work element require a co-op work permit. A work element could be a co-op term, internship, placement, practicum, clinic or any type of work-related project. To make it easy, we have identified all the Niagara College programs that require students to obtain a co-op work permit. See the following documents: Welland Campus and Daniel J. Patterson Campus at Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Cost (subject to change)	There is no fee for a co-op work permit application. $85.00 CAD for biometrics, if applicable
Processing time (estimate)	Check IRCC processing times here
Tips for applying	If you also need to extend your study permit, you can include the co-op permit application at the same time as the study permit application – refer to the ‘Study permit extension’ section. You can download your Confirmation of Work Term (co-op letter) from your MyNC Portal. Some applicants may require a medical exam. If you require a medical exam you can choose to either: complete a medical exam before applying (referred to as an ‘up-front medical’); or wait until after applying (IRCC will send a request). A medical exam for immigration purposes must be completed by an IRCC approved panel physician.

What is a PGWP (Post Graduation Work Permit)?	A Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows you to apply to remain in Canada and work full time after you complete a certificate, diploma or degree that is at least 8 months in length. You do not need a job offer to apply and can work anywhere in Canada in any occupation, even if it’s unrelated to your studies. The duration of a PGWP can be from one-year up to three-years depending on the duration of studies completed. The PGWP application is a once-in-a-lifetime application – you can only apply once.
When to apply for a PGWP?	To apply for a PGWP you must have graduated from an eligible program(s) of study and have the required documents (see info below). Applicants must apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) within 180 days of obtaining written confirmation, such as an official letter and a transcript indicating that they have met the requirements for completing their program of study. For Niagara College students, typically this date would be the date indicated on your COG (Confirmation of Graduation) letter. For applicants in Canada, to apply for a PGWP you must hold valid status (e.g. student or visitor.) Study permits typically expire 90 days after the completion of a program of study, so for most in-Canada PGWP applicants you must apply within 90 days (not 180 days) of completing your program.
Cost (subject to change)	$155 work permit fee, plus $100 open work permit fee (total $255) $85.00 CAD for biometrics, if applicable
Processing time (estimate)	Check IRCC processing times here
Tips for applying	To apply for a PGWP, you will require the following documents from the college: a) COG (Confirmation of Graduation) letter – this will be uploaded in the ‘completion of studies letter’ space on the document checklist. Note; if you have completed two programs, you would need to include both COG letters merged into one PDF document. b) Transcript – this will be uploaded in the ‘recent education transcript’ space on the document checklist. NOTE: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, PGWP applicants may use an Unofficial COVID-19 grade report in lieu of their official transcript. Note; if you have completed two programs from Niagara College, both programs will show on the same transcript/grade report. If you have completed two programs with one from Niagara College and one from another school, you would need to include both transcripts/grade reports merged into one PDF document. Some applicants may require a medical exam. If you require a medical exam you can choose to either: complete a medical exam before applying (referred to as an ‘up-front medical’); or wait until after applying (IRCC will send a request). A medical exam for immigration purposes must be completed by an IRCC approved panel physician.

What is a TRV or eTA?	A TRV is a Temporary Resident Visa – it is a counterfoil (sticker) in your passport. An eTA is an electronic Travel Authorisation – it is not a physical document, but is associated to your passport. Both the TRV and eTA are travel documents and are used to travel to Canada, they do not confer status in Canada. To see which countries require TRV or eTA, visit the IRCC website.
When to apply for a TRV or eTA?	TRV countries: If you have recently extended your status in Canada e.g. extended your study permit, you may require a new TRV. The TRV application is a separate application to a permit extension application and can be made after the new permit has been issued. eTA countries: If you have recently extended your status in Canada e.g. extended your study permit you will automatically receive an extension to your eTA (if required). There is no need to make a separate application. If you are unsure about your eTA, you can check the status of an eTA here.
Cost (subject to change)	A TRV costs $100. An eTA applied on its own costs $7. eTA is included in a permit application or an extension is included at no additional cost to the applicant.
Processing time (estimate)	Check IRCC processing times here
Tips for applying	Remember, if you are from an eTA country and applying to extend your status in Canada e.g. study permit extension, you are automatically issued a new eTA or eTA extension with your permit extension. If you are from a TRV country and applying to extend your status in Canada e.g. study permit extension, you will need to make an application for a new TRV if you wish to exit and re-enter Canada. A TRV or eTA is only required to travel to Canada and seek entry at the POE (Port of Entry) – the border. If you are in Canada and have valid status e.g. a valid study permit and do not plan to exit Canada, you may elect to not apply for a TRV. Some applicants may require a medical exam. If you require a medical exam you can choose to either: complete a medical exam before applying (referred to as an ‘up-front medical’); or wait until after applying (IRCC will send a request). A medical exam for immigration purposes must be completed by an IRCC approved panel physician.

Niagara College International

Study Permits, Work Permits and Visas

How to extend your study permit via the IRCC website

Complete the eligibility questionnaire in your IRCC account

Review the document checklist on your IRCC account and begin completing the application forms and gathering the required documents – the checklist will guide you

A typical document checklist for a study permit extension application:

Complete the application forms and gather the required supporting documents.

How to apply for a Co-op work permit

Complete the eligibility questionnaire in your IRCC account

Review the document checklist on your IRCC account and begin completing the application forms and gathering the required documents – the checklist will guide you.

Typical document checklist for a Co-op work permit application:

Complete the application forms and gather the required supporting documents.

How to apply for a PGWP (Post Graduate Work Permit)

Complete the eligibility questionnaire in your IRCC account

Review the document checklist on your IRCC account and begin completing the application forms and gathering the required documents – the checklist will guide you.

Typical document checklist for a PGWP application:

Complete the application forms and gather the required supporting documents.

How to apply for TRV (Temporary Resident Visa)

Complete the eligibility questionnaire in your IRCC account.

Review the document checklist on your IRCC account and begin completing the application forms and gathering the required documents – the checklist will guide you.

A typical document checklist for a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) application:

Complete the application forms and gather the required supporting documents.