Study Permit Number: What It Is, Where To Find It, and When You’ll Need It

International students get asked for their “study permit number” a lot — on school forms, when extending a permit, and sometimes when applying for a SIN. But people often confuse it with their UCI (client ID) or application number. This guide clears that up, fast.

TL;DR

• Your study permit number is the document number printed on your actual study permit.

• It’s usually a single letter + 9 digits (for many students it starts with F, like F123456789) and appears top-right on the permit.

• Your UCI is your unique client identifier (stays the same for all applications). It looks like 0000-0000 or 00-0000-0000.

• Your application number is different for each application (format like W123456789/E123456789, etc.).

What exactly is the “study permit number”?

It’s the document number assigned to your current study permit. You’ll see it in the top-right corner of the permit. Student support sites from Canadian universities describe it as a letter followed by nine digits — commonly F######### — printed in black ink.

Important: Don’t overthink the first letter. Many permits show F, but prefixes can vary. What matters is: letter + 9 digits at the top-right of the permit.

Study permit number vs. UCI vs. application number

UCI (Client ID)

• Identifies you as a client.

• Format: 0000-0000 or 00-0000-0000.

• Never changes, even if you extend or change your status.

Application number

• Identifies a specific application (each application gets a new one).

• Format: typically 1 letter + 9 digits. You’ll see it on IRCC letters or in your online account.

DLI number

• Identifies your school (starts with the letter O, not zero). Not your permit number.

Visa foil (counterfoil) number

• If you required a TRV (visa sticker in passport), it has its own number. That is not your study permit number. (You’ll get the actual study permit at the port of entry or after approval in Canada.)

Where to find your study permit number

• On the physical study permit: Top-right corner, letter + 9 digits, often shown like F123456789.

• On forms: When a form asks for the document number of your most recent permit, it wants the number on your current study permit.

• In your online account: You’ll usually see the application number and messages; the document number appears on the permit itself (or on the PDF image of the permit once issued). For tracking or linking, IRCC explicitly emphasizes application numbers/UCIs in your account.

When you’ll be asked for the study permit number

1. Extending your study permit (IMM 5709)The form asks for the document number of your current permit. Use the top-right letter+9 digits.

2. Co-op work permit applicationWhen applying for a co-op work permit, you may be asked to reference your current study permit document number. (You’ll still use your UCI elsewhere on the form.)

3. Getting a SIN (Social Insurance Number)Service Canada takes your study permit as the primary document. The online process relies on the information on your permit; your document number can be referenced if requested.

4. School records and complianceRegistrars and international offices often ask for both your UCI and study permit document number for compliance and record-keeping. University guides consistently define the document number as letter+9 digits on the top-right.

Common mistakes

• Mixing up UCI and study permit numberYour UCI identifies you and follows the 0000-0000 style. Your study permit number identifies the document and follows letter+9 digits.

• Using an old permit’s numberExtensions create a new permit with a new document number. Use the current permit’s number on forms. (Document numbers are unique to each document.)

• Entering the DLI number insteadYour school’s DLI starts with O. It’s not your permit number.

• Copying the visa foil numberThat’s the number on the visa sticker; the study permit number is on the permit itself.

Does the study permit number change after an extension?

Yes. Each issued permit has its own document number. Your UCI stays the same; your application number changes per application; and your document number changes when a new permit is issued.

What if I can’t find the number or my permit has a typo?

• If your permit has an error (wrong name, date, etc.), IRCC directs you to apply to amend your document.

• If you lost your permit, you’ll need to replace it before you can rely on its document number. (You can still track your file using your UCI and application number in your IRCC account.)

Quick reference: which number do I use where?

Situation	Number you’ll use most
Extending your study permit	Study permit document number (top-right, letter+9 digits)
Co-op work permit	Study permit document number and UCI
SIN application	Study permit details; provide document number if requested
School registration/compliance	Often UCI + study permit document number
Tracking your application online	Application number (+ your UCI)

FAQs

1) Is the “study permit number” the same as the “document number”?

Yes — in practice, when schools or forms ask for your study permit number, they’re asking for the document number shown on the top-right of the permit.

2) My permit shows a letter that isn’t “F.” Is it still valid?

Yes. University guides commonly show F######### as an example, but the first letter can vary. The key is letter + 9 digits at the top-right.

3) I only see my UCI and application number in my account. Where’s the permit number?You’ll find the document number on the permit itself (or on the permit PDF when IRCC issues it). IRCC accounts mainly display application numbers and messages for tracking.

4) If I change schools (DLI), does my study permit number change?

When IRCC issues you a new permit (e.g., after an extension or change), you’ll have a new document number. Your UCI remains the same.

5) Do I ever put my DLI number where a study permit number is requested?

No. The DLI identifies your school (starts with O). A study permit number identifies your permit.

Need help right now?

If you’re unsure which number a form is asking for, or you want us to review your extension/co-op/PGWP paperwork, book a call with Ansari Immigration. We’ll check everything, explain what to enter where, and save you the back-and-forth.