Mon - Fri 9:00am - 6:00pm, Sat 9:00am - 2:00pm Toronto, Canada +1 (647) 313-0790
Want to study in Canada? Learn updated Canadian student visa (study permit) requirements, application steps, cost of living funds, and PGWP paths.
Planning to study in Canada? Most international students need a study permit Canada applicants can use to study at a designated learning institution (DLI). The permit is different from a visa: it authorizes your studies in Canada, while a temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA) may be required separately for travel to Canada.
This guide explains the Canada study permit requirements, required documents, PAL/TAL rules, proof of funds, application process, fees, processing times, work rights and what to do after approval. It also explains important responsibilities such as maintaining your student status and following IRCC rules when changing schools.
| Item | Current Information |
|---|---|
| Who Generally needs one? | Most foreign nationals who plan to study in Canada. |
| Where Can You Study? | At a designated learning institution (DLI), subject to the conditions of your permit. |
| Study Permit Fee | 150 CAD. |
| Biometrics Fee | 85 CAD for an individual applicant, when required; family maximum 170 CAD. |
| Processing Time | Varies by country or territory. Check the IRCC processing-time tool. |
| Living-expense Funds | For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026: 23,448 CAD for one applicant outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transportation. |
| PAL/TAL Requirement | Required in most cases, with exemptions including eligible degree-granting master's and doctoral programs at public DLIs from January 1, 2026. |
| Off-campus Work Rights | Eligible students can generally work up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. |
A Canadian study permit is an official immigration document issued by IRCC that allows a foreign national to study at a designated learning institution in Canada. Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada, and applicants are generally expected to apply before travelling to Canada.
A study permit is not the same as a Canada student visa. The study permit gives you legal authorization to study, while a TRV (visa) or eTA is a travel document that allows you to board transportation and enter Canada.
When a study permit application from outside Canada is approved, IRCC normally issues a Port-of-Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction. The actual physical study permit is generally issued by a border services officer (CBSA) when the student arrives in Canada.
Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. However, IRCC provides specific exemptions for certain individuals and types of study.
You generally do not need a study permit if your study program lasts 6 months or less, although visitor visa or eTA requirements still apply.
Exemptions apply to foreign representatives/family, members of foreign armed forces, Registered Indians, certain minor children, and specific language or settlement courses.
There are specific temporary measures and exemptions for certain construction apprentices with a valid work permit, an eligible construction occupation, and a qualifying apprenticeship agreement. Always check IRCC eligibility rules before assuming an exemption applies.
To qualify for a study permit, you generally need to satisfy IRCC that you meet the requirements for studying temporarily in Canada and can support yourself during your stay.
| Requirement | What You Generally Need to Show |
|---|---|
| DLI Admission | You are enrolled or accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI). |
| Letter of Acceptance | You have a valid Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from your DLI. |
| PAL/TAL or Exemption | You provide a provincial or territorial attestation letter when required, or evidence of your exemption. |
| Quebec Authorization | If studying in Quebec, you generally need to meet Quebec's CAQ requirements. |
| Financial Capacity | You demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition, living expenses and transportation without relying on unauthorized work in Canada. |
| Identity Documents | You provide valid identity and travel documents (passport). |
| Admissibility | You may need biometrics, a medical examination or police certificate depending on your circumstances. |
| Temporary Stay Intent | You must satisfy the officer that you will comply with the conditions of your stay and leave Canada when required. |
A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) confirms that a province or territory has allocated a space for the applicant to study. It is usually required when applying for a study permit, and the DLI normally provides instructions on obtaining it.
Starting January 1, 2026: Students applying for a degree-granting master's or doctoral program at a public DLI generally do not need a PAL/TAL. IRCC's DLI list specifically identifies public DLIs offering graduate programs that are exempt.
Other exemptions apply to primary/secondary school students, military colleges, eligible participants in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot, and specified categories.
Quebec has separate immigration requirements. If you plan to study at a Quebec DLI, you generally need a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) rather than relying on a PAL/TAL.
For the 2026 cap year, PAL/TALs issued in 2026 are generally valid until December 31, 2026 unless an earlier expiry date applies. A PAL/TAL from a previous cap year cannot simply be reused.
The exact documents you need depend on your circumstances and country of application. IRCC generates a personalized checklist, so applicants should always rely on their specific IRCC account checklist.
Canada study permit proof of funds is a core part of the application. You must demonstrate that you have enough money to pay for your tuition, living expenses and transportation for yourself and accompanying family members without relying on unauthorized work in Canada.
For applications submitted outside Quebec, the minimum amount for one person is 23,448 CAD per year for living expenses. This amount does not include tuition or transportation costs.
| Family Members Accompanying Applicant | Minimum Annual Living Expenses Outside Quebec |
|---|---|
| 1 person (applicant only) | 23,448 CAD |
| 2 people | 29,192 CAD |
| 3 people | 35,888 CAD |
| 4 people | 43,572 CAD |
| 5 people | 49,419 CAD |
| 6 people | 55,736 CAD |
| 7 people | 62,054 CAD |
| Each additional member over 7 | 6,318 CAD |
Start by choosing a Canadian school that is on IRCC’s official DLI list. If you want to apply for a PGWP after graduation, verify the program’s PGWP eligibility before enrolling.
Apply to your chosen institution and secure an official LOA. You need the LOA before submitting your study permit application.
Determine whether you need a PAL/TAL from the province/territory. If studying in Quebec, complete Quebec’s CAQ requirements.
Prepare your valid passport, LOA, financial proof, PAL/TAL or exemption proof, photos, medicals, police certificates, and study plan.
Study permit applications must be submitted online through your IRCC secure account unless limited exceptions apply.
Pay the $150 CAD study permit fee and $85 CAD biometrics fee ($170 family maximum) online during submission.
Give biometrics at a designated VAC/ASC as soon as you receive the instruction letter, and complete medicals if required.
Upon approval, receive your Port-of-Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction and eTA/TRV. Present your POE letter to CBSA upon landing to receive your physical Study Permit.
There is no single Canada study permit processing time. IRCC states that processing times vary by country or territory of application. Factors affecting processing time include document completeness, background checks, medical exams, and visa office volume.
If you applied from outside Canada and IRCC approves your application, you will receive a Port-of-Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction confirming your approval. You will also automatically receive a TRV stamp in your passport or an eTA linked to your passport.
Present your POE letter, passport, valid LOA, proof of funds, and acceptance documents to the border services officer. The CBSA officer makes the final entry determination and prints your physical Study Permit at the port of entry.
Eligible international students can work in Canada without needing a separate work permit, provided their study permit includes work conditions.
Work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions, and unlimited hours during scheduled school breaks (summer/winter/reading weeks).
Work on-campus for your DLI, faculty, or student organization without hours cap, subject to DLI regulations.
Post-secondary international students generally no longer need a separate co-op work permit for eligible student work placements (co-op placements and internships). Always verify that your program meets IRCC placement criteria.
Apply to extend before your current permit expires. Applying on time grants maintained status, allowing you to continue studying while IRCC processes your renewal.
If your permit expires before extending, you lose status. You must stop studying immediately and apply for status restoration within 90 days.
Post-secondary students cannot simply change their DLI and continue studying without following IRCC requirements. Depending on your situation, changing DLIs may require a new study permit application, a new LOA, and a new PAL/TAL. Always follow official IRCC transfer procedures before withdrawing or changing institutions to avoid jeopardizing your status.
No consultant or strategy can guarantee approval. Common reasons IRCC refuses study permit applications include:
If you hope to work in Canada after graduation, check PGWP eligibility before choosing your program. Not all DLIs or study programs qualify graduates for a PGWP. Eligibility depends on institution type, program length, field of study, and language requirements. Treat PGWP planning as a key step in your overall immigration pathway.
Your spouse or common-law partner may accompany you to Canada. Under current IRCC rules, spousal open work permit eligibility focuses primarily on spouses of students enrolled in eligible graduate programs, including master's programs of at least 16 months and doctoral programs.
Key Checklist for a Successful Study Permit Application
Connect with our Canadian immigration experts to discuss your DLI options, PAL/TAL exemptions, or PGWP pathway.
Evaluate DLI eligibility, PAL/TAL exemptions, and spousal work options with an RCIC.