Download the Student Handout information sheet for Visitors in Canada Applying for a Study Permit here.

If you are a returning international student and you wish to book an appointment with an International Student Advisor regarding immigration matters, etc. please use our appointment booking link to book a virtual meeting or face-to-face meeting.

Generally, you must apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. Only some people can apply for a study permit from inside Canada. If you are in Canada as a visitor, you can only apply for a study permit in two ways:

1. Apply for a study permit as though you are outside Canada

  • You must follow the instructions for applications made outside of Canada, even though you are physically in Canada.
  • You will need to meet all admissions requirements at the time of your application to the program at Algonquin College.
  • In the IRCC online tools, choose your country of citizenship when you are asked for your current country or territory of residence.
    • If you are in Canada, use your Canadian address.
  • If your application is approved by IRCC, you will get an approval letter that says you are allowed to study in Canada.
    • This letter is called the port of entry letter of introduction.
  • Once you have this letter, you must leave Canada and ask to get your study permit at the Port of Entry on return to Canada.
  • You cannot start your program until you have a study permit. You are responsible to maintain a legal status in Canada while waiting for your study permit.

2. Apply for a study permit after completing a prerequisite program

  • You would apply for conditional acceptance to English for Academic Purposes (EAP) plus an academic program and apply for a study permit from within Canada after completing the EAP program which is considered a prerequisite course.
  • For your study permit application, you will need to submit your EAP completion letter AND your conditional acceptance letter to the academic program stating EAP as a prerequisite for admission.
  • Please note that you cannot study EAP for longer than 6 months on a visitor visa.
  • You cannot start your program until you have a study permit. You are responsible to maintain a legal status in Canada while waiting for your study permit.

**If you are from a country where English is the official primary language, you can apply for an Academic program only.

More information about IRCC instructions for visitors can be found in the following link.

To check if you are eligible to apply from within Canada, visit the following page. Select “Inside Canada” to see the list of eligible situations.

How to Apply to Algonquin College

To ensure your application to Algonquin College has the best chance of success, follow our simple steps.

1. Confirm your program is open
2. Review Admissions Requirements
3. Review Visa/Study Permit/Work Requirements
4. Start the Online Application process
5. Review Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
6. Pay your Fees
7. Apply for a Visa/Study/Work Permit
8. Register and attend International Student Orientation
9. Arrange for travel/airport pick up

For more information, please visit our Admissions page.

International Education Centre (IEC)

The IEC is located in room C021. Our on-campus services are by appointment only. Current international students can use our appointment booking link to book a virtual meeting or face-to-face meeting with an International Student Advisor. You may also wish to visit our events calendar to register for upcoming immigration workshops and more.

Work Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 pm (excluding holidays – unless otherwise specified)