Study Permit Applications FAQ

1. Do I need to go to the nearest Canadian Embassy to submit my study permit application?

No. Your study permit application will be submitted online through the Canadian immigration
department’s case processing system.

2. How are study permit applicants assessed?

Applicants are assessed based on factors such as having an acceptance from a school in Canada, a
provincial attestation letter (PAL), the reasonableness of your reasons for seeking education in
Canada, and the strength of your ties to your home country.

3. On one of the forms, the Family Information form – number IMM 5707 – it asks for my parents'
information. Should I also add a separate sheet for my other family members such as my siblings?
No, only provide information that is specifically requested on the forms or requested by Fragomen
representatives. Otherwise, the information is not required.

4. On the “Application for Study Permit Made Outside Canada” form – number IMM1294 – I see that
my mailing address has already been pre-filled with an address in Toronto, Canada. Should I leave
that as is, or should I amend it to reflect my mailing address?
The mailing address will always be the pre-filled address in Toronto, Canada, which is the Fragomen
office in Canada. You can provide your address in the next section asking for your “Residential
Address”.

5. I am temporarily outside my country of nationality. On the “Application for Study Permit Made
Outside Canada” form – number IMM 1294 – should I provide my current address where I am
residing temporarily as my “Residential Address”, or should I provide my permanent address in
my home country as my “Residential Address” even if I am not there at the moment?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. You can provide the address where you are
currently residing temporarily. You can also provide the address where you permanently reside,
even if you are not there at the time you fill in the form. A very simple rule you can follow is: if you
have been outside your country of nationality for less than 6 months, provide your permanent
address in your home country as your “Residential Address”; if you have been outside your country
of nationality for 6 months or longer, provide your current residential address as your “Residential
Address”. Again, there is no right or wrong answer.

6. If I am currently outside my country of nationality. Which Canadian Embassy will process my

application?
The Canadian Embassy – more specifically, the Canadian Visa Office – that will process your
application will depend on your answer to Question 9 under the “Personal Details” section in the
“Application for Study Permit Made Outside Canada” form – number IMM 1294. The Canadian Visa
Office responsible for your application will depend on your country of nationality or, if outside your
country of nationality, the country where you are currently present as long as you were legally
admitted as a temporary resident by that country.
7. What documents do I need to provide as proof of my ties to my country?
There is no specific list of documents for this, as every individual applicant is unique. Generally
speaking, you need to provide documents that show your economic, family, or emotional ties to
your home country. Examples of economic ties include proof of employment (including self-
employment), income from investments, bank statements, any assets owned (land, home, vehicle),
insurance policies (life, medical, dental plans). Examples of family ties include proof of your close
family members in your home country. In addition to answering the questions on the government
application forms, you can provide a brief written summary of family members in your home
country with whom you have a close relationship. Examples of emotional ties include involvement
in the lives of your close family members and your local community through volunteer work. The
assessment will be made on a case-by-case basis.

When providing these documents, it is recommended that a brief description accompany them
explaining how they show your economic, family, or emotional ties to your home country.

8. How do I send you documents, such as photos?

Because the application will be submitted online, we only require documents in digital format. All
documents can be sent to us through the secure methods provided. Instructions on how to upload
any additional documents will be provided to you. You can digitally scan any documents and send
those to us, for example. In almost all situations, an original document will not be required to
submit your application. However, the Canadian Visa Office may request an original document later
as they process your application.

9. I do not have an employer. I earn income through my own efforts in sales and service? Am I
“unemployed” or “self-employed”?
If you perform ongoing activities that earn you a wage or commission on a part-time or full-time
basis, and you work for yourself, you would be considered self-employed. Each country or
jurisdiction may define self-employment differently.

10. Which Canadian application forms require a signature?

All applications forms require a signature. However, some forms accept a digital signature, while
other forms must be printed and signed manually. Your Fragomen representative will provide you
with instructions on which forms require which type of signature.

11. I do not have an e-medical receipt yet. Will that delay the submission of my study permit
application?
An e-medical receipt is proof that you have completed the immigration medical examination, often
required for study permit applications. The medical examination is not required to submit your
application. However, it is recommended that an appointment be made with a Panel Physician at
the earliest opportunity, as this can reduce the overall processing of your application. If your study
permit application is submitted without the e-medical receipt, the Canadian Visa Office will
subsequently send you a request letter giving you 30 calendar days to complete the immigration
medical examination.

12. I do not have my police clearance yet. Will that delay the submission of my study permit
application?
A police clearance is only required in some instances. We will instruct you on when it is required.
Ideally, if required, we submit your study permit application with the police clearance. However, if a
 police clearance is required, we can submit your study permit application first, and submit the police
clearance later. If your study permit application is submitted without the police clearance, the
Canadian Visa Office will subsequently send you a request letter giving you a short but reasonable
amount of time to submit it.

13. In the government forms asking for such things as employment history and background
information, there is not enough space to provide complete answers. Can I prepare a separate
sheet to provide complete answers?
Yes. Please provide your answers to us, and we will format and attach it to the final application
package as needed.

14. How long will it take to process my study permit application?

Once we submit your application, expect to receive a request to provide your biometrics (photo and
fingerprints) within one week or less, and to complete an immigration medical exam within a month
or less. Often, the request for biometrics and a medical examination are sent at the same time.

Upon completion of both the biometrics collection and immigration medical examination (which
ever is later), your application will be subject to applicable processing times. These processing times
always vary, but current average processing times can be ascertained here: estimated processing
times

If you are eligible for processing under the Student Direct Stream (SDS), the Canadian Visa office will
try to process your application within 20 calendar days on average. Some applications within the
SDS may take longer.

15. Which language test results will the Canadian government accept?
There is no rule specifying which language test result the Canadian government will accept when
assessing a study permit application. You can have a test result from Duolingo, TOEFL and other
language testing agencies. However, there are some language test results from “Designated Testing
Agencies” that the government places more credibility over others. For English proficiency, the
preferred Designated Testing Agency outside Canada are :
• the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS,
• the Pearson Test for English, or PTE.
For French proficiency, the preferred agencies are:
• the Test d’évaluation de français, or TEF Canada; or
• the Test de connaissance du français, TCF Canada

Note: This FAQ provides general information, and applicants are encouraged to consult with their
Associate for personalized advice based on their specific circumstances.