Only applications submitted online are accepted, unless the applicant has a disability that prevents them from submitting their application electronically or if major technical issues arise. To apply online, you must use the IRCC secure account. You will first need to create the account and select one of the two login methods available. Individuals without a Canadian bank account must choose the “GCKey” option.

You will then need to answer a series of questions asked by the virtual assistant “Find out if you're eligible to apply”, which are designed to guide you to the correct application, namely the “Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM1294),” along with the supporting documents you must provide. Click on the “?” icons and the links within the questions for more details.

You will then need to download the forms to your computer, fill them out, and once completed, upload them to your account. You will also need to upload the various supporting documents to the designated fields.

The requirements for obtaining a study permit may vary from country to country: consult the Instruction Guide (IMM5269) and the specific instructions for your local visa office to verify whether you need to complete additional forms and provide supplementary documents.

If you are residing in a country other than your country of citizenship, we recommend that you include with your application the documents mentioned in the specific instructions from the visa office in your country of residence, in addition to those required by the visa office responsible for applications from your country of citizenship.

The required documents are generally as follows:

• Proof of acceptance: Letter of admission issued by Polytechnique Montréal;
   
• Student exchange letter: if you are coming for an exchange program (one or two terms), simply upload your letter of admission again. Please note that double degree programs are not considered exchange programs for immigration purposes;
• Proof of identity: Photocopy of your valid passport;
• Certificate of issuance of a CAQ for studies, if applicable;
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or proof of exemption from the PAL requirement;
• Proof of financial capacity;
• Passport photos meeting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada standards;
• Study plan/motivation letter, if applicable;
• Documents for minor children, if applicable;
• Depending on your nationality or the country where you legally reside, you may be required to undergo a medical examination or provide a police certificate.

• The answer to the IRCC virtual assistant’s question, “Do you have a provincial or territorial attestation letter or meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter?” depends on your program:

-If you have been admitted to a bachelor’s degree program (whether or not it includes a preparatory year) or to a DESS program: you must answer “Yes, I have a provincial or territorial attestation letter.” Once your document checklist has been created, you will need to upload your CAQ for studies again in the section reserved for the LAP.

-If you have been admitted to a master’s program (including a double degree), a doctoral program, or if you are coming on an exchange for one or two semesters and are applying for a study permit: you must indicate “Yes, I meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter.” Once your document checklist has been created, you must upload a short letter (dated and signed) to the designated section explaining that you are exempt from the LAP, given that you are applying for a study permit to study in Canada in a master’s or doctoral program or to participate in an exchange program.

• To the virtual assistant’s question “Are you an exchange student?”: only those admitted to an exchange for one or two semesters should answer “yes.” If you have an admission to a double-degree program, the answer must be “no.”
• To the virtual assistant’s question “Is work an essential component of your studies?”: only those admitted to a bachelor’s program (with or without a preparatory year) should answer “yes” to this question.
• You will need to provide a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number on the study permit application form. Polytechnique Montréal’s EED is: O19359011070 (it begins with the letter “O”). Be sure to enter this number correctly, as it allows IRCC to subsequently ask the School to confirm the validity of your admission offer, an essential step in processing your study permit application.

You must be able to prove that you have the financial means to cover your tuition and living expenses and, if applicable, those of any family members who will be staying with you during your stay in Canada. To find out the minimum amounts you must demonstrate to study in Quebec, please visit this page. The list of accepted forms of financial proof should be found in the instructions for applying for a study permit and in the instructions specific to your visa office, which may specify particular requirements depending on the region.

If you are starting a degree program, you do not need to demonstrate that you currently have access to the full amount required for the entire duration of your studies. The Canadian Visa Office (CVO) will ask you to prove that you have the necessary funds to cover the costs associated with your first year of study. However, for the purpose of issuing the study permit, the officer reviewing your application must be able to conclude that it is more likely than not that these funds will continue to be available for the duration of your studies. With this in mind, it is best to submit a combination of evidence, including documents that demonstrate recurring sources of income (e.g., employer letter, sponsor’s pay slips, etc.), in addition to proof of assets, such as bank statements for the last four months showing a current balance. Learn more about the evaluation of financial evidence.

Each person funding your studies must provide proof of financial capacity and a signed letter confirming their intention to support you during your studies. If you are a graduate research student and your research supervisor is providing you with financial support, be sure to include the letter confirming the annual amount of support you will receive. Your department will not need to complete a separate financial support declaration form.

Refer to the figures listed on your admission offer to calculate your annual tuition fees. If you are in a bachelor’s, professional master’s, or DESS program and tuition fees are listed per term rather than per year, be sure to multiply the amount by two. Tuition fees listed on a per-term basis must be multiplied by three for a research master’s or doctoral program.

If you are a French citizen or if you receive a scholarship exempting you from the increased tuition fees, your tuition will be calculated upon presentation of proof to that effect (French passport, scholarship approval letter, etc.).

If you would like to learn more about scholarships and financial aid available during your studies, visit our page dedicated to this topic.

If you are participating in an exchange program for one or two semesters, you do not need to include tuition fees in the calculation of your financial capacity, since these are paid to your home institution. However, you must calculate the minimum amount required to cover your basic needs based on the number of months you will spend in Canada and add the cost of round-trip transportation from your country of residence.

The list of accepted types of financial proof should be found in the instructions for applying for a study permit and in the instructions specific to your visa office, which may specify particular requirements depending on the region.

Each person financing your stay in Canada must provide proof of financial capacity and a signed letter confirming their intention to support you during your studies.

Once you have completed all requirements for obtaining a study permit, the Canadian Visa Office issues a letter of introduction to that effect. This letter is not your study permit and does not replace it. Your permit is issued upon arrival in Canada by a Canadian Border Agency agent, who will take the final decision regarding the issuance of your study permit. In addition to the introducton letter, we advise you to have in hands a copy of your application and supporting documents for the study permit, including up-to-date financial capacity documents.

Make sure to verify all the information contained in your study permit before leaving the airport's secured area.  If a mistake has been made by an agent and cannot be corrected on place, you will need to apply to amend your study permit.  Make sure however to send to Polytechnique's Registrar's Office (registraire-caqpe@polymtl.ca) a copy of your document before sending your study permit for amendment.  

The study permit should have the same expiry date as your CAQ, unless your passport expires beforehand.  You will need to pay close attention to the expiry date on your study permit, as you will need to start the renewal process of your immigration documents approximately 6 months in advance.  

Important information

• Your permit will expire 90 days after the school confirms completion of your program, or on the expiry date shown on the document, whichever comes first.  You must then either change your status (e.g. to visitor or worker) or leave Canada.  
• If you stop studying in your program, other than because you have graduated or because you are taking a study leave authorized by the School, your study permit will cease to be valid on the same day.
• If you start your program and then decide to change designated learning institution, you will need to apply for and obtain a new study permit BEFORE starting your new program.   It's therefore essential to plan this change several months in advance, especially if you also need to apply for a new CAQ for studies.  If you find yourself in this situation, don't hesitate to consult us.