Download the Student Handout information sheet for Visitors in Canada Applying for a Study Permit here.

Visitors in Canada are not eligible to apply for a study permit within Canada. They must leave the country and follow the instructions to apply for outside Canada.

Only some people can apply for a study permit from inside Canada. To check if you are eligible to apply from within Canada, visit the following page. Select “Inside Canada” to see the list of eligible situations.

If you are on a visitor visa completing English for Academic Purposes (prerequisite program) to be accepted to the College program, you may be eligible to apply from within Canada.

  • You would apply for conditional acceptance to English for Academic Purposes (EAP) plus an academic program and apply for a study permit from within Canada after completing the EAP program which is considered a prerequisite course.
  • For your study permit application, you will need to submit your EAP completion letter AND your conditional acceptance letter to the academic program stating EAP as a prerequisite for admission, AND a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), which Algonquin College will obtain for you once you pay your fees to confirm your seat in the Academic program.
  • Please note that you cannot study EAP for longer than 6 months on a visitor visa.
  • You cannot start your program until you have a study permit. You are responsible to maintain a legal status in Canada while waiting for your study permit.

**If you are from a country where English is the official primary language, you can apply for an Academic program only.

More information on how to apply for a study permit can be found here.

Updated on March 31, 2025

How to Apply to Algonquin College

To ensure your application to Algonquin College has the best chance of success, follow our simple steps.

1. Confirm your program is open
2. Review Admissions Requirements
3. Review Visa/Study Permit/Work Requirements
4. Start the Online Application process
5. Review Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
6. Pay your Fees
7. Apply for a Visa/Study/Work Permit
8. Register and attend International Student Orientation
9. Arrange for travel/airport pick up

For more information, please visit our Admissions page.

International Education Centre (IEC)

The IEC is located in room C021. Our on-campus services are by appointment only. Current international students can use our appointment booking link to book a virtual meeting or face-to-face meeting with an International Student Advisor. You may also wish to visit our events calendar to register for upcoming immigration workshops and more.

Work Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 pm (excluding holidays – unless otherwise specified)