Canada study permit requirements for international students

The main Canada study permit requirements are a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) in most cases, and proof that you can pay for tuition, living costs and travel. A study permit is the document that lets an international student study in Canada. Many people call it a Canada student visa.

Canada study permit requirements in 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says you must be enrolled at a DLI, show you have enough money, have no criminal record, be in good health, and satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada when your permit ends. In practice, you will upload these documents:

• Letter of acceptance (LOA) from a DLI. For college and university students, the school must verify the letter with IRCC.
• Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), unless you are exempt. Students going to Quebec need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead.
• Valid passport and two recent passport-size photos.
• Proof of funds for first-year tuition, living costs and travel.
• Letter of explanation (recommended): why you chose this course and school, and that you understand your responsibilities as a student.
• Medical exam and police certificate, if IRCC or your local visa office asks for them.
• Proof of care for a student under 17 who is not travelling with a parent or legal guardian.
• Biometrics (fingerprints and a photo).

Letter of acceptance from a DLI

A DLI is a school approved by a province or territory to host international students. Only a DLI can issue a letter of acceptance that counts for a study permit. Check that your school is on the official DLI list before you pay any fees. Not every program at a DLI can lead to a PGWP, so check the program too. Our page on the Canadian education system explains the difference between universities, colleges and polytechnics.

The PAL letter: who needs one and who is exempt

Canada limits the number of new international students each year. Each province gets a share and issues attestation letters within that share. Most college and undergraduate students going to a DLI outside Quebec need a PAL/TAL. Your school usually arranges it after you accept your offer. Some schools ask for a tuition deposit first.

A 2026 PAL/TAL must be issued between 1 January and 31 December 2026, and it is valid until 31 December 2026 unless it shows an earlier date. You cannot use a letter from a previous year. Since 22 January 2025 you also need a new PAL if you change schools.

You do not need a PAL/TAL if, for example, you are:

• a primary or secondary school (K-12) student
• a master's or doctoral student at a public DLI (exempt from 1 January 2026)
• an exchange student who pays no tuition to the Canadian school
• extending your permit to continue at the same school and study level.

A few other exemptions apply, so check the official PAL page.

Do you need IELTS or PTE?

IRCC's study permit document list does not include an English test. Your school sets its own English entry requirement, and many schools ask for a test score. A language result matters later too, because the PGWP has a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level. See our IELTS coaching if you need help.

Medical exam, police certificate and biometrics

You may need a medical exam if you plan to stay more than six months and have recently spent time in certain countries, or if you plan to work in jobs where public health must be protected, such as healthcare or childcare. Only an IRCC-approved panel physician can do it. A police certificate is needed only in some cases, but it can take time, so apply early if you may need one. You give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) after you apply.

Proof of funds for a study permit

You must show that you can pay your first-year tuition, your return travel, and the living-cost amount below. The living-cost amounts went up for applications made on or after 1 September 2026. Before that date, one person needed CAD 22,895.

Quebec sets its own amounts. IRCC reviews the figures every year, so check the official page in the month you apply.

IRCC accepts several kinds of evidence. Common examples are:

• a receipt for first-year tuition (and housing) paid to your school
• a GIC, a fixed-term investment certificate from a Canadian financial institution
• proof of a student or education loan from a bank
• bank statements for the past 6 months that show where the money came from
• proof of a scholarship
• a letter from a parent or sponsor, with proof of your relationship and of the support they will give.

Funds should be genuine, available to you, and clearly explained. Large deposits made just before you apply, with no explanation of where they came from, can raise questions. For a realistic budget beyond the minimum, see the cost of studying and living in Canada.

How much the study permit costs

As at November 2026, the IRCC fees are:

• study permit: CAD 150 per person
• biometrics: CAD 85 per person, or CAD 170 for a family applying together.

Check the current amounts on the IRCC fee list (opens in a new tab) before you pay. Other costs can include the medical exam, translations and your English test.

How to apply for a Canada study permit, step by step

1. Choose a course and a DLI Think about your career plan, your budget and whether the program can lead to a PGWP. Our popular courses in Canada page is a useful starting point.
2. Apply to the school and get your letter of acceptance Meet the academic and English entry requirements. Your school verifies the letter with IRCC.
3. Accept the offer and get your PAL/TAL Pay any deposit the school asks for. The school then arranges your attestation letter, unless you are exempt.
4. Arrange your funds and documents Collect your passport, proof of funds, transcripts, letter of explanation and any translations.
5. Apply online Create an IRCC account, upload your documents and pay the fees.
6. Give biometrics and do a medical exam if asked You will receive a letter telling you where and when.
7. Wait for a decision If you are approved, you receive a port of entry letter of introduction and, if you need one, a visitor visa in your passport. The study permit itself is issued when you arrive in Canada.

Study permit processing time

Processing times depend on where you apply from and change every week. These were the IRCC figures for applications from outside Canada, updated on 12 November 2026:

• India: 8 weeks
• Nepal: 6 weeks
• Philippines: 6 weeks
• Sri Lanka: 5 weeks
• Bangladesh: 5 weeks
• Pakistan: 4 weeks.

Doctoral students have a 2-week processing target. Always check the latest figure on the IRCC processing times page (opens in a new tab), and apply as early as you can. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) ended on 8 November 2024, so students from India and other countries now apply through the regular process.

Working while you study

If your permit allows off-campus work, you can work up to 24 hours a week off campus while classes are running, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks such as the summer or winter holidays. To be eligible you must be a full-time student at a DLI who has started a program of at least six months that ends in a degree, diploma or certificate. You also need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). See the official off-campus work rules (opens in a new tab).

If your course includes a compulsory co-op or internship placement, you also need a co-op work permit. Part-time work helps with expenses, but do not rely on it to pay tuition.

Can your spouse or partner work in Canada?

Not in every case. Since 21 January 2025, a spouse or common-law partner can get an open work permit only if the student is in:

• a master's program of at least 16 months
• a doctoral (PhD) program
• certain professional degree programs, such as medicine, dentistry, law, education, nursing, pharmacy or engineering, or
• certain eligible pilot programs.

Spouses of college diploma and most bachelor's students cannot get an open work permit on this basis. Read the details on the IRCC spouse work permit page (opens in a new tab) before you plan to move as a family.

After you graduate: the PGWP

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets eligible graduates work in Canada for any employer. Canadian work experience can later count towards permanent residence through Express Entry. To be eligible, you generally must:

• complete a program of at least 8 months at a PGWP-eligible DLI
• study full time in every semester (the last one may be part time)
• apply within 180 days of finishing your course
• meet the language minimum: CLB 7 in all four skills for university degree graduates, or CLB 5 for college and other non-university graduates (for PGWP applications made from 1 November 2024).

Field of study: if you study a college diploma or certificate, and you applied for your study permit on or after 1 November 2024, your program must be on the eligible field-of-study list. The list covers agriculture and agri-food, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, transport, and education. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates are exempt from this list. IRCC has said it will not add or remove fields in 2026.

Length: a program of 8 months to under 2 years gives a PGWP up to the length of the program. A program of 2 years or more, or a master's degree, can give up to 3 years. You can get only one PGWP in your life, and it cannot last longer than your passport. Online study from outside Canada after 31 August 2024 does not count, and most curriculum-licensing programs (where a private college delivers a public college's course) are not eligible. The PGWP fee is CAD 255 (as at November 2026).

Common reasons study permits are refused

An IRCC officer makes every decision, and no one can promise an approval. Watch out for these common problems:

• Weak proof of funds: too little money, funds from an unclear source, or a sponsor with no proof of income.
• Unclear study plan: a course that does not fit your education or career history, with no explanation in your letter.
• Doubts that you will leave Canada: few ties to your home country, or a history of overstaying a visa.
• Missing documents: no PAL/TAL when you need one, an expired PAL from a previous year, or an unverified letter of acceptance.
• Incorrect information: any false document or untrue answer can lead to a refusal and a ban on future applications.

If you were refused before, fix the reasons given before you apply again, with advice from an authorised representative.

How Immi Solution helps

Our education counsellors help you compare Canadian schools and programs, explain the general PGWP and spouse work rules, apply for admission and prepare for your English test. We explain our professional fees and give you a written estimate before any paid work starts. For advice on the study permit application itself, you need an authorised Canadian representative, and we tell you clearly when that applies. To get started, contact our Hobart office.