You normally will not need a study permit to study while in Canada with a visiting visa, since your stay is temporary. In other words, for short-term study, less than 6months, you do not need a study permit, except if you are going to work in the institution where the study is taking place. What this means is that since your stay is temporary (maximum of 6 months), you cannot register for a study that will last more than 6 months.
Foreigners who want to engage in academic, professional, vocational or other education or training that is more than 6 months in duration at a designated learning institution (DLI) must possess a study permit to do so. So, if you enter Canada with a visiting visa and want to engage in any post-secondary education or training that will exceed 6 months, you must apply for a study permit.
Only in the following areas are you not required to possess a study permit:
- pre-school (pre-kindergarten),
- minor children (below 18 years in Saskatchewan) with parents with valid study or work status, Citizens, Permanent Residents or refugee claimants
- courses of general interest or self-development,
- distance learning, or
- audited courses (academic course for which you’re not obtaining credit,
- Family members and members of the private staff of accredited foreign representatives,
- Members of the armed forces of a country designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act
- Short-term courses
- Registered Indians
