Amending a study permit
You can request a change to your study permit free of charge if it contains an error that was made by the Canadian Immigration officer when it was issued. For example, if there is an error in your name or your date of birth, or if an adequate mention concerning the right to work on or off campus does not appear in the Conditions or Remarks/Observations section of your study permit and should appear there.
For the students registered in a program leading to a degree, diploma or certificate from Université Laval or those on an exchange stay of more than six months, the statement should be similar to the following: “May accept employment on the campus or off campus if meeting admissibility criteria, per R186f), v) or w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”
For students on exchange for less than six months or those in pre-university learning, non-degree studies, learning French or in a professional development program, the mention should be similar to: “This permit does not authorize the holder to engage in off-campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting the eligibility criteria described in R186f). Must cease working if not longer meets these criteria.” or “May accept employment on campus of the institution where registered as a full-time student.”
You should not use this procedure if you are responsible for the error or if your situation has changed since you made your initial permit application. For example, if you have not passed the medical examination and you want to work or do internships with certain clients (children, the elderly, etc.) or in certain settings (elementary and secondary schools, daycare centres, healthcare centres, clinical laboratories, hospitals, etc.) by using the right to work granted by your study permit although restrictions for these clientele are indicated therein. You must in such case pass your medical examination with a doctor authorized by the IRCC and apply for a new study permit by filling the application to modify the conditions and paying the $150 processing fee again.
You will find all the information and the form to submit a free modification request on this IRCC site. You will need to complete the required form and send it to Ottawa at the address indicated on the form, with all the relevant documents, including the original copy of your work permit. We recommend that you carefully read the Instruction Guide (IMM 5218) available on the same page before sending your application.
- Form “Request to Amend Valid Temporary Resident Documents or Information Contained in the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 1436)”
- If you are unable to open the form with your Web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.), you must download the PDF version of the form that contains the error, then save it on your computer and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader from your computer, rather than your Web browser.
- Here are some instructions to help you complete the form:
- Part A
- Box 1: UCI: You will find it on your current study permit.
- Part B
- Box 1: Select “Study Permit” and provide the ID number starting with the letter F.
- Boxes 2 to 11: Indicate the information to be changed, if necessary.
- Box 12: Indicate “Right to work of foreign students” if you wish to make changes to the statement concerning the right to work.
- Part C
- Box 2: Include the reasons why you are requesting a change to your study permit. If your request concerns the right of students to work, for example, “My student permit does not mention (or does not have the proper mention) concerning the right to work. However, under Article R186f), v) or w), I can work during my studies. I am indeed enrolled in the program (or in the exchange program) of …… at Université Laval. I, therefore, am contacting you so that you can rectify the situation and add the following note: ……”.
- Declaration: You must hand-sign and date the form.
- Part A
- Photocopy of a photo ID
- For example, a photocopy of the identity page of your passport.
- Photocopy of the letter of acceptance or enrolment in your current designated learning institution
- For a free modification to be made, the change must correct an error previously made by a Canadian immigration officer. Therefore, to modify a mention concerning the right of foreign students to work, you must prove that the mention requested applies to you at this time and that it also applied to you at the time when you submitted your initial application for the study permit. Consequently, in your application, you must enclose the offer of admission from Université Laval used when submitting your initial application for a study permit (or the other documents used during the application, if it was a renewal) as well as your registration certificate for the current session and, if available, for the next one (to be ordered at monPortail - $8).
- The original of your Work Permit, Study Permit, Visitor Record or Permit to Enter or Remain in Canada (IMM 1442, IMM 1208, IMM 1102, IMM 1097 or IMM 1263)
- You must send the original of your study permit. Before sending your documents by mail, make sure that you have uploaded your study permit in monPortail and have made a digital or hard/paper copy for yourself.
The processing time can vary and take up to a few months. It is not advisable to travel outside Canada during this period since you will not be in possession of the original copy of your study permit.
Last updated on: 2022-12-19