Studying without a Study Permit

Foreign nationals may enter Canada or remain in Canada without a study permit to attend a course or program of study of 6 months or less. However, foreign nationals are encouraged to apply for a study permit for a short-term course or program of study if they intend to apply for another program afterwards or work on the campus of the university or college at which they are a full-time student. The following activities are not considered studies and do not require a study permit:

• pre-school (pre-kindergarten)
• courses of general interest or self-improvement
• distance learning
• audited courses (sitting in on a course, without obtaining credit for it, or having the ability to obtain credit for it retroactively)

There are some situations in which you may study without a study permit: 

• Minor children inside Canada
• Family members and members of private staff of accredited foreign representatives 
• Members of the armed forces of a country designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act 
• Short-term courses