Canada Study Permit Document Number: Where to Find It in 2026

Where exactly to find each number on the study permit

Short answer: The IMM 1442 layout — top-left photo (if applicable), top-center "Study Permit / Permis d'études" header, top-right Document Number (F + 9 digits), upper section UCI/Client ID, middle section personal details, lower section permit conditions (school, program, expiry, work authorization), bottom issue date and signature plus the document number repeated.

A Canadian study permit (IMM 1442) is a single page with the IRCC and Canada wordmarks at the top. Here is the layout:

Top left: Holder's photo (if applicable, depending on the permit version) Top center: "Study Permit / Permis d'études" header Top right: Document Number (F + 9 digits). This is what most forms ask for. Upper section: UCI / Client ID (8-10 digits) Middle section: Personal details (name, date of birth, country of citizenship) Lower section: Permit conditions (school name, program, expiry date, work authorization details) Bottom: Issue date, signature, and the document number repeated

The document number at the top right is the one to use whenever a form asks for "study permit number" or "document number on study permit." If a form is unclear about which number to use, the document number (F + 9 digits) is the safe default.

Common situations where you need the study permit document number

Short answer: You use the document number for IRCC online account login (with UCI), study permit extension IMM 5709, PGWP application, Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) when you become a PR, university enrollment confirmation each semester, and driver licence applications in Ontario and BC.

1. Opening an IRCC online account. When you set up an IRCC account, you'll be asked to verify your identity using your study permit document number plus your UCI.

2. Applying for a study permit extension. The extension form (IMM 5709) asks for your current study permit document number so IRCC can pull your existing file.

3. Applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP application requires the document number from your most recent study permit.

4. Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). If you applied for PR and need a BOWP to maintain status while waiting, the application requires your current study permit document number.

5. Travel Document for Permanent Residents (PRTD). Once you become a PR but your card expires while abroad, the PRTD application asks for any prior document numbers, including study permit.

6. University enrolment and re-enrolment. Most Canadian universities require you to confirm your study permit document number each semester to verify your status with the school.

7. Driver's licence application in some provinces. Provinces like Ontario and BC require proof of legal status, and the study permit document number is part of the verification.

What to do if your study permit document is missing or unclear

Short answer: If the document number is unreadable, first sign in to your IRCC online account dashboard which shows active document numbers; alternatively request a copy via Verification of Status (IMM 5009, 4 to 6 weeks processing) or contact your DLI which has the number from your enrollment paperwork; for lost/stolen/destroyed permits, file IMM 5009 replacement (90 to 120 day processing).

If you cannot read the document number on your study permit (smudged, damaged, low-quality print), the safest path is:

1. Sign in to your IRCC online account (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html). The account dashboard shows your active document numbers.

2. Request a copy of your study permit through the Verification of Status (VOS) form (IMM 5009). Processing takes 4-6 weeks.

3. Apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) only if needed. Usually not relevant for study permits.

4. Contact your designated learning institution. Schools often have your study permit document number on file from your enrolment paperwork.

If your study permit is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you need to apply for a replacement permit using the IMM 5009 form. Processing time for replacement is currently 90-120 days. You remain in valid status during processing as long as your original permit had not expired.

Difference between study permit document number and study permit number

Short answer: Most Canadian institutions and websites use "study permit number" interchangeably with "document number" — when someone asks for your study permit number, they almost always mean the F + 9 digit document number at the top-right; if a form needs the UCI separately, it will be clearly labeled.

Some Canadian institutions and websites use "study permit number" interchangeably with "document number." For practical purposes, when someone asks for your "study permit number," they almost always mean the document number (F + 9 digits at the top right). If a specific form asks for the UCI separately, it will be labeled.

Quick reference: which number for which form

Short answer: IRCC online account login uses document number plus UCI; IMM 5709 extension, PGWP, Bridging Open Work Permit, university enrollment, ON/BC drivers licence, and Verification of Status requests all use the document number; PR application references the UCI; visa office inquiries use the application number from the approval letter.

When to involve a consultant

Short answer: Hire an RCIC if your study permit is missing or damaged and you need a quick replacement to apply for PGWP within the 180-day window, you have multiple permits and are unsure which document number to use, you received a refusal letter referencing a specific document number, or you are consolidating immigration history across multiple permits for PR.

Most study permit document number questions are simple and self-resolvable. Consider hiring an RCIC if:

• Your study permit is missing or damaged and you need a replacement quickly to apply for PGWP within the 180-day window
• You have multiple study permits from different applications and are unsure which document number to use for a current application
• You received a refusal letter that references a specific document number and you need to challenge the refusal
• You are applying for PR and need to consolidate your immigration history across multiple study and work permits

Book a free consultation if you need help.

Frequently asked questions

Short answer: Common questions — document number lives at the top-right of IMM 1442 starting with F + 9 digits; not the same as UCI (UCI is permanent across applications); F prefix is a permit-type category code under IRCC modernized numbering; always use the most recent valid document number; electronic permits show the same number in the same top-right position on the PDF.

Where is the document number on my Canada study permit? The document number is at the top right corner of the study permit (form IMM 1442). It starts with the letter F followed by 9 digits, for example F123456789. The same number is repeated near the bottom of the document.

Is the study permit document number the same as the UCI? No. The document number is unique to that specific physical study permit and changes if you renew or replace the permit. The UCI is your permanent IRCC client identifier and stays with you across every application you file in Canada.

What does the F prefix on the study permit document number mean? The F prefix identifies the document as a study permit issued in or after the modernization of IRCC's document numbering system. Older study permits used different prefixes. The letter does not stand for a specific word in the IRCC numbering scheme; it is a category code for the permit type.

Can I use the document number from my old study permit on a new application? No. Always use the document number from your most recent valid study permit. If you have an active study permit, use that document number. If your study permit has expired and you are renewing, the renewal application asks for the previous document number, but new applications going forward will reference the new permit's document number.

What if my study permit was electronic and I do not have a paper copy? IRCC issues electronic study permits to many applicants from inside Canada. The document number appears on the electronic permit PDF in the same top-right position as a paper permit. Sign in to your IRCC online account to download a PDF copy.

Where is the study permit document number on the IRCC online portal? Sign in to your IRCC account. On the dashboard, click on your active study permit application. The document number is displayed at the top of the application detail page along with the UCI.

My study permit document number does not start with F. Is something wrong? Older study permits issued before the IRCC numbering system update may use different prefixes. The number is still valid. For the current numbering convention (F + 9 digits), only permits issued in the past few years follow that pattern.

Written by Rami Mamar, RCIC-IRB (License #R515110). Last reviewed May 2026 against IRCC's current study permit document specifications and the IMM 1442 form.