Renewing a study permit and visa
- All students who intend to study in Canada for more than six months are required by Canadian law to have a valid study permit.
- Students who are in Canada for less than six months are not required to have a study permit, but must have a visitor permit. In this case, students must leave the country after six months. This situation generally applies to language or exchange students only. You must apply for a study permit to stay longer in Canada or if you wish to hold a part-time job on campus. Only those students with a valid study permit have the right to work part-time on campus.
- It is important not to let a study, work or visitor permit expire during a student's stay in Canada. We highly encourage the start of the renewal process two or three months in advance.
- Keep a valid passport. Immigration documents cannot be renewed if a passport has expired or is due to expire soon.
- International students must maintain full-time student status.
- Visiting scholars and researchers engaged in employment at the University of Ottawa must obtain a work permit.
Renewing a Study Permit
It is extremely important to send the application to extend or change the conditions of a study permit two to three months before its expiry date.
Documents to provide for renewal of study permit
Application Kit for Renewal or Change of Conditions (Guide, application and document checklist)
When applying for a study permit, you must supply the following documents and the appropriate fees with the application form:
- Photocopies of a valid passport (do not send the actual passport)
- Photocopies of current valid immigration documents
- Proof of registration at the University of Ottawa (obtain this document from InfoService)
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in Canada (bank statements)
- Transcripts of the last two previous academic sessions (Order online via uoZone - InfoWeb - Docunet)
- Application fee of $125 CDN
NOTE: you must use the IMM 5401 receipt to pay at any financial institution. This receipt is available at the reception desk of the International Office. Please note that it is now also possible to pay this fee on-line at the Citizenship and Immigration web site. This method of payment requires that you use a credit card.
For more information you may download an information sheet on the renewal of a study permit or pick one up at the International Office.
Temporary Resident Visa (“Entry Visa”)
Depending on the country of citizenship, students may also need a Temporary Resident Visa (otherwise known as an "Entry Visa") to enter Canada. Students who wish to leave Canada and then re-enter may need an "entry visa." Please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (external link) for a list of the countries for which a visa is required.
Entry visas can be obtained from any Canadian Embassy or Consulate office outside Canada. Application cannot me made from within Canada. To obtain a visa entry application, please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (external link) .
Please verify whether your visa is a multiple or single entry visa. A single entry visa allows a student to enter Canada only once. We recommend applying for a multiple entry visa.
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For more information you may download an information sheet on applying for a temporary resident visa or pick one up at the International Office.
To check the status of a temporary resident visa application, please contact the Canadian Consulate General where your application was submitted.
- Express mail is the quickest and safest way to send permit and visa applications.
Travelling to the United States
Students travelling to the United States from Canada do NOT require an entry visa to re-enter Canada, as long as their study permit is valid.
However, please note that a U.S. visitor visa is required. You may schedule an appointment (external link) directly online with a U.S. immigration officer at the American Embassy in Ottawa. We recommend that an appointment be scheduled at least several weeks before the intended visit to the United States.
Inviting a family member or spouse to visit
Students who wish to invite a family member or spouse to visit in Ottawa must write a letter of invitation for a guest. The letter should be written in a formal style, but it can also be a personal letter.
Students must mention:
- The nature of their studies at the University of Ottawa
- The reason for the invitation, for example, attendance at graduation ceremony or that you want your family to see what your life is like in Ottawa, etc.
- The nature of your activities during their visit (e.g. travel, etc)
- Where the guest will stay
- The length of the stay. It is important for CIC to have assurance that the guest will not wish to remain in Canada, and that they will return home. Provide information concerning the duration of the stay and the approximate date of the return home
- The responsibility for expenses during the visit to Canada.
It is recommended that the letter be officialized by Legal Services on campus. This gives the invitation letter more validity. Legal Services are offered free of charge to all undergraduate students.
Guests will also need a proof of your registration at the University of Ottawa. This can be obtained at InfoService.
Guests must submit an application in the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate in their country. Please consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (external link) Web site for further information on application.
Guests must also submit:
- A valid passport
- Proof of sufficient funding for the stay in Canada
- Proof that the guest will return to the home country (e.g. a letter from an employer stating that the person must return to work by a certain date)
We recommend that students schedule an appointment at the International Office if they have any questions or concerns concerning applications for permits and visas. It is extremely important that all documents remain valid and that applications be completed accurately.