Do I need a study permit for a short course?

Courses of six months or less generally do not require a study permit, though you still need whatever entry document applies to you, such as a visitor visa or eTA. Longer programs require a permit.

What is a DLI number and where do I find it?

Every designated learning institution has a number starting with the letter O. Your school includes it in the letter of acceptance, and IRCC also publishes a searchable DLI list.

Can my spouse or children come with me?

Family members may be able to accompany you as visitors, students, or workers, but each needs their own application and eligibility rules change. Check the current IRCC rules for family members of students, and consider advice from an RCIC or lawyer for borderline cases.

How much does the study permit cost?

Check the current fee on the IRCC fee list before you pay. Most applicants also pay a biometrics fee.

Immigration

IRCC Form IMM 1294: Fillable PDF

Q: How do I extend my studies once I am in Canada?

Apply from inside Canada with Form IMM 5709, Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada as a Student, before your current permit expires.

Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Apply for a Canadian study permit from outside Canada.

Reviewed July 2026

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Form IMM 1294, Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada, is the form international students use to apply for a Canadian study permit before they arrive. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses it to confirm your acceptance at a designated learning institution and your ability to support yourself while studying.

IMM 1294 is a dynamic XFA PDF, so it shows only a placeholder page in web browsers and simple PDF viewers. Download it from this page, save it to your computer, and complete it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on a desktop computer. This guide covers who needs the form, what each section asks, and how to submit it.

What is IMM 1294 used for

IMM 1294 is the main application form for a study permit when you apply from outside Canada. A study permit is the document that authorizes you to study at a designated learning institution (DLI), and most programs longer than six months require one.

If you also need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada, IRCC issues it together with an approved study permit application, so you do not file a separate visitor visa form.

Who files IMM 1294

Prospective students who are outside Canada complete this form. Students already in Canada who want to extend their studies or change conditions use Form IMM 5709 instead.

Applicants with a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution in Canada.
Minor children studying in Canada, whose form can be completed and signed by a parent, guardian, or custodian.
Students destined for Quebec, who generally also need an attestation of issuance of a CAQ from the province.
Most post-secondary applicants also need a provincial or territorial attestation letter; confirm the current requirement on the IRCC study permit pages before you apply.

How to fill out IMM 1294

Open the downloaded form in Adobe Acrobat Reader, not in a browser. The form expands and collapses fields as you answer, so complete it in order and save frequently.

When you finish, click the Validate button. It flags missing mandatory fields and generates the barcode pages IRCC needs to process your data.

Personal details: name as shown in your passport, birth information, citizenship, and marital status.
Languages and identity documents: native language, English or French ability, passport, and national identity document details.
Details of intended study in Canada: the school name, DLI number, level and field of study, program dates, and the cost of tuition and living expenses.
Funds: the money available for your stay, which should line up with the proof of funds documents you upload.
Education and employment history: your highest level of schooling and recent work.
Background questions: health, previous refusals, criminal history, and military service.

Filing tips

Most applicants apply online through the IRCC account, uploading the validated IMM 1294 with the letter of acceptance, proof of funds, photos, and other checklist items. Check the current fee on the IRCC fee list and budget for the biometrics fee as well.

IRCC forms are version-pinned, so confirm the current version of IMM 1294 on the official page before submitting.
Include Form IMM 5645 (Family Information) if your visa office checklist requires it.
Answer the funds section consistently with your bank statements and sponsorship letters; unexplained gaps are a common refusal reason.
For complex histories, such as prior refusals or study gaps, a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer can help you present the application clearly.

Frequently asked questions

IMM 1294 is a dynamic XFA PDF that browsers cannot display. Save the file to your computer and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows or macOS; the full form will then load normally.

Universal PDF is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Forms are provided from official government sources; always confirm you have the current version before filing.

This form is reproduced from official Canadian government sources. Universal PDF is not affiliated with or endorsed by any Canadian federal or provincial government body; always confirm you have the current version on the official site.