In most cases, you should obtain a study permit if you want to study in Canada.

To be eligible to study in Canada

• You must have been accepted by a designated learning institution in Canada.
• You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your:
  • tuition fees
  • living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
  • return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
• You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
• You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
• You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

Exceptions
In some cases, you do not require a study permit to go to school in Canada.

• If you wish to study in a short-term course or program
  You do not need a study permit if you plan to take a course or program in Canada that lasts six months or less. You must complete the course or program within the period authorized for your stay in Canada.
• Foreign representatives to Canada
  If you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD), you may not need a permit to study in Canada. You should contact your embassy in Canada. Your embassy can contact the Office of Protocol at DFATD to find out whether you need a study permit.
• Members of foreign armed forces
  If you are a member of a foreign armed force under the Visiting Forces Act, you do not need a permit to study in Canada. If your family members, including minor children, want to study in Canada, they must meet the requirements.
• Foreign nationals who are Registered Indians in Canada
  If you are a citizen of another country who has Registered Indian status in Canada, you do not need a permit to study in Canada.

Note. Study and work permit holders from visa-exempt countries who received their permit on or before July 31, 2015, are expected to have an eTA as of March 15, 2016, to fly or transit to Canada. However, from March 15, 2016, until fall 2016, study and work permit holders who do not have an eTA can board their flight, as long as they have appropriate travel documents, such as a valid passport.
Applicants who are issued an initial study or work permit on or after August 1, 2015, will automatically be issued an eTA along with their permit. For work permit or study permit renewal applications, the eTA will not be automatically renewed. If you wish to exit and re-enter Canada by air, you will need to ensure that your eTA is still valid by consulting the Check Status Tool. If your eTA has expired, you will need to apply for a new one as soon as you can and before the end of the eTA transition period in fall 2016.