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How to study in Canada

Compare each route by stay and permit, work rights, cost and who it suits. Sources are under each r⁠o⁠w⁠.

How do you get the⁠r⁠e⁠?

Length of stay, work rights, cost: each route differs on all thr⁠e⁠e⁠.

Language st⁠u⁠d⁠y

Who it suits

For people who want to build speaking skills first, or try life abroad for a short ti⁠m⁠e⁠.

Length and permit

No permit up to 6 months

No study permit for 6 months or less; a study permit is needed beyond th⁠a⁠t⁠.

Can you work?

Language courses: no off-⁠campus work

Student work placements are not open to English or French language courses. Off-⁠campus work is for students in post-⁠secondary programmes of 6 months or more (up to 24 hours a wee⁠k⁠)⁠.

Cost

Tuition varies by school and length

Tuition varies by school and length. If a study permit is needed, you show funds for tuition, travel and living costs (CAD 23,448 a yea⁠r⁠)⁠.

Source: IRCC: Who can study without a study permitIRCC: Work off campusIRCC: Work in a student work placementIRCC: Proof of financial support (⁠s⁠t⁠u⁠d⁠y⁠ ⁠p⁠e⁠r⁠m⁠i⁠t⁠)

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Co-⁠op and career program⁠m⁠e⁠s

Who it suits

For people who want work experience in their field of stu⁠d⁠y⁠.

Length and permit

Study permit needed

A post-⁠secondary programme with a study permit. The work placement is at most 50⁠% of the program⁠m⁠e⁠.

Can you work?

Off-⁠campus up to 24 hours a week

Since 1 April 2026, post-⁠secondary students do not need a separate work permit for placements required by their programme (the school must confirm the placement is required). Off-⁠campus work is up to 24 hours a we⁠e⁠k⁠.

Cost

Funds proof CAD 23,448 a year

Tuition, plus the study permit funds requirement (living costs of CAD 23,448 a yea⁠r⁠)⁠.

Source: IRCC: Work in a student work placementIRCC: Work off campusIRCC: Proof of financial support (⁠s⁠t⁠u⁠d⁠y⁠ ⁠p⁠e⁠r⁠m⁠i⁠t⁠)

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Working holi⁠d⁠a⁠y

Who it suits

For people who meet the age rule and want a longer stay with wo⁠r⁠k⁠.

Length and permit

Rules depend on nationality

Depends on your nationality. See the official eligibility pa⁠g⁠e⁠.

Can you work?

Work permit included

You can work while you stay. You enter the IEC pool and apply once you receive an invitati⁠o⁠n⁠.

Cost

You cover your own living costs

You cover your own living costs; tuition is extra if you attend scho⁠o⁠l⁠.

Source: IRCC: IEC eligibility by countryIRCC: International Experience Canada

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work part-⁠time while I stu⁠d⁠y⁠?
Having a study permit does not mean everyone can work off campus. IRCC's conditions include: studying full-⁠time, being enrolled in a post-⁠secondary academic, vocational or professional programme that lasts at least 6 months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate, having work conditions printed on your study permit, and having a social insurance number (SIN). During regular academic sessions you can work up to 24 hours a week. If you only plan to attend a language course, ask the school before enrolling whether you meet these conditio⁠n⁠s⁠.
What is a co-⁠op, and do I need a work perm⁠i⁠t⁠?
A co-⁠op is work experience that is part of your programme. According to IRCC, from 1 April 2026 full-⁠time post-⁠secondary students no longer need a separate co-⁠op work permit for placements required by their programme. The school must confirm in a letter that the placement is required, and the placement can be no more than 50⁠% of the programme. English or French as a second language courses, general interest courses and preparatory courses for another programme are not eligib⁠l⁠e⁠.
Can I use the working holiday program⁠m⁠e⁠?
It depends on your nationality, so check the official eligibility page for your country. For Japanese citizens the age range is 18 to 30 (inclusive), up to 12 months per participation, and up to two participations. You apply through International Experience Canada (IEC): create a profile in the pool, and apply for the work permit once you receive an invitation. IRCC publishes the number of invitations and available spots on its rounds of invitations pa⁠g⁠e⁠.