What happens behind the scenes after you submit a study permit application?
Understanding the Study Permit Application Process in Canada
The study permit process in Canada can be lengthy and complex, with most applicants experiencing a significant waiting period. If you’ve completed your biometrics and are waiting for an update on your application, you’re likely wondering what’s happening behind the scenes. The processing time for study permits can range from six to twelve weeks, but this clock starts only after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has received your biometrics.
The first step in the process is a completeness check, where IRCC verifies that all required documents are present and fees are paid. If your file is incomplete, IRCC will return it without processing or request the missing documents. If it passes the completeness check, the file moves to substantive review, where actual processing of your application, including eligibility and security checks, occurs. You can expect to receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) email with your application number, confirming that processing on your application has begun.
The next stage is the eligibility review, where IRCC checks whether you meet the legal requirements for a study permit, including acceptance at a designated learning institution (DLI), sufficient funds, ties to your home country, and the intent to leave Canada when your status expires. You can check the official “Study permit: After you apply” page on Canada.ca for more information on the post-application process. While eligibility review is happening, IRCC also runs background checks in parallel, which can slow the process considerably.
Not every study permit applicant needs a medical exam, but if you do, the results are valid for 12 months for temporary residents. If IRCC doesn’t finalize your application within that window, they’ll ask you to redo the exam. You can check your IRCC account to see the status of your application, which can have one of five statuses: Not started, In Progress, Completed, Waiting on You, or Exempted. The final decision line stays “Not Started” until the other lines are resolved.
If you’re experiencing delays, it’s essential to note that each country has its own published processing-time window. If your application has exceeded the posted time by only two or three weeks, your situation isn’t unusual. However, if you find yourself waiting four or more weeks longer than the published time, you might consider requesting GCMS notes through the ATIP process to get more information on the potential source(s) of the delay.
To avoid delays, do not submit a web form asking for an update unless your file is past the published processing time. Also, do not open a second study permit application while your first is in process, and do not pay agents or consultants promising to expedite your application. Instead, keep your contact information current, and respond promptly to any “Waiting on You” requests from IRCC.
For personalized support with your Canadian immigration pathway, contact GTR Immigration.
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