Age limit for International Students in Canada

There’s no age limit for international students in Canada. A person can study in Canada if they are 18 years of age or older. An international student aged 17 years or less can also study; however, they must be accompanied by a custodian who must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.

International students aged 17 years or under are considered minors, hence when they reach the age of 18-19 years, they must apply for a study permit. A foreign student must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a Canadian study permit.

Hence, no matter what your age is, you can study in Canada. However, before applying for a study permit, make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements. 

Study Permit Requirements

• The student should already be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI)
• They should have enough money to study in Canada 
• While in Canada, they must obey the laws and have no criminal past (may need to submit a Police Clearance Certificate for the same)
• They should be in good health and may be asked to submit a medical exam, if necessary
• They must also prove to the officer that once their study permit expires, they will leave the country and go back to their homeland

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, ensure that you have all the necessary documents. Check out the document checklist below.

Study Permit Document Checklist

If you are aged 18 years or older, you need to gather the required documents for a Canadian study permit as mentioned below:

• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
• Proof of Acceptance 
• Plan of study 
• Proof of financial support
• Proof of identity

Additional documents:

• Medical Exam
• PCC
• Letter of Explanation
• For minors – custodian declaration
• If any other documents are required, the visa officer will let you know, or you can contact us at +91 844-838-6496 today and our experts will let you know.

The age limit for International Students in Canada for a Provincial Nominee Program

If you are a foreign student in Canada aiming for a provincial nomination and applying to Canada PR through the PNP pathway, there might be some age restrictions. The Provincial Nominee Program of each Canadian province offers nomination options for international students. For example, the Ontario PNP offers the OINP PhD graduate and OINP Masters Graduate pathways exclusively for students with an eligible degree from Ontario.

Some PNPs have a scoring grid for candidates that determines their suitability for the province. Older students might get fewer points in such scoring grids.

Moreover, some provinces might have age as an eligibility factor. For example, the Manitoba International Student Entrepreneur Pilot has an age limit of 21-35 years old. Thus, even though there is no age limit for international students in Canada, there is definitely an age preference.

Age is also a factor when you apply for Canada PR. Even though there is no age limit and you can apply for permanent residence at any age, IRCC prefers younger foreign skilled workers and students.

Does Canada have an age limit for international students?

No, Canada does not have an age limit for international students to study in the country.

How can I study in Canada at 45 years old?

You can get a study visa in Canada even if you are 45 or 46 years old. Just apply for a study permit to study in Canada.

Can a 50-year-old get a study permit in Canada?

There’s no age limit for a study permit in Canada. So, even if you are a 50 years old, you can still study in Canada legally. 

Dreaming of studying abroad but anxious about the age limit for international students in Canada? With Talent Connected Worldwide, age is just a number!