Temporary Resident looking to study

[holyroller12]

Hi all:

I am a US citizen on a 3-year work permit. I am a secondary school teacher in Saskatchewan and married to a Canadian. The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation has requested that I take 2 additional qualification courses in order to be fully certified to teach in the province. I have 1 year to complete the courses. I have registered for a course back in Ontario (online) where I studied my B. Ed. When asked for my proof of immigration by admissions, I noticed that one of the conditions of the work permit is that I cannot study or take an academic course unless authorized. Anyone out there know the steps to getting authorized? CIC Call Centre always gives me the message that my call cannot be directed to an agent because there are too many callers waiting, so I turned to this board in hopes that I can get some information in the meantime. I am hoping this will be an easy process since the request to study is being made by my Federation. Then again, nothing is easy when it comes to immigration!

Thanks for reading.

Shawn

 

[amira_mais]

Hi, if the courses are six months or less in duration, you don't need a study permit. See this excerpt from the CIC website:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-who.asp

"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.

Even if you do not need a study permit, it is a good idea to apply for a permit before you come to Canada. If you decide that you want to continue your studies in another program after you complete your short-term course or program, you must apply through a Canadian visa office outside Canada for a study permit if you do not already have one."

Even if you don't need a study permit, it's not a bad idea to apply for one. Since you already have a 3 year work permit, and are being asked to take these courses by your federation, you should have not trouble being approved for the study permit.

 

[holyroller12]

Thanks, you are great!