Create your document checklist for your initial study permit application

Step 1

Create an IRCC secure account if you do not have one already. You will be prompted to answer a set of questions. Ideally you would use the same account for all applications, so keep this information safe. If you can’t remember your account information, it’s possible to create a new account.

For help creating an account, review the Creating an IRCC secure online account guide (pdf).

Step 2

After you are logged into your IRCC Secure Account, select “apply to come to Canada”. You will need to answer a series of questions in a questionnaire. For assistance with the questionnaire, check our video in our Canvas application review course.

Note that for the question “Is work an essential component of your studies?”, this refers to whether your program has a mandatory work component to graduate, such as a co-op, internship or practicum.

• Most undergraduate degree programs require that you first begin your program before you can apply for co-op, then you can apply for a co-op work permit from inside Canada if accepted. If you are not sure if your program has a mandatory work component, please contact your faculty’s Academic Advising office or your graduate program staff.
• If your program does have a mandatory work component, you can apply for a co-op work permit at the same time you apply for your study permit. Select “yes” to this question then you will need to upload a letter from your program/faculty about your required work component in your study permit application.
• If your program does not have a mandatory work component, select “no” to this question. You do not require a co-op work permit to work in Canada during studies and can work on and/or off campus based on your study permit, if you are eligible.

When you have completed the questionnaire, you’ll be guided to a screen entitled “Your document checklist” that lists your required documents based on your answers from your questionnaire. If you’ve made a mistake, it’s possible to go back and change your answers to update your document checklist. 

Step 3

Important: In addition to your document checklist generated by IRCC, you need to add any additional documents required by the Canadian visa office in your country.

Get the full list of documents required by the Canadian visa office in your country:

1. Go to the IRCC website for paper applications and select your country/territory from the drop-down list.
2. Then select “Visa office instructions“. This will launch a PDF specifying requirements from your visa office.

Any documents required by your visa office which are not already included in your online document checklist will need to be provided along with your letter of explanation in the “client information” section, under optional documents in your document checklist.

Visa Application Centres (VACs) are private companies that have contracts with the Canadian government to provide application support services for a fee. They do not provide immigration advice or make decisions on your study permit application. Check the Visa Application Centre’s website for more information about their services.

If you will apply in person at a VAC, follow the same steps as applying on paper to create your document checklist.

You can only apply by paper if you have a disability which prevents you from applying online or you hold an identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons.

To apply by paper:

1. Go to the “Apply on paper” section of the IRCC website.
2. Select your country/territory from the drop-down menu and click “Get documents”.
3. You’ll notice a list of links:
   • Click on the first link to review a general document checklist.
   • Click on the second link to view visa office instructions for your country. These instructions include a document checklist showing additional supporting documents required by your country’s visa office.
   • The remaining links in the list will open the forms listed in the general document checklist.
4. Submit your application through a Visa Application Center (VAC) that serves your area.

Only US citizens or permanent residents, and residents of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon, can apply in-person on arrival in Canada at the airport or border crossing.

If you are eligible for this option, follow the same steps as applying online to create your document checklist. Print all documents and bring your completed application form and supporting documents with you.

Be sure to check if you need a medical exam, custodianship, or biometrics in advance.