How to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit
You need an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution, a provincial Attestation Letter (PALProvincial Attestation Letter — A letter from a province or territory confirming your study permit application spot within its allocation. Required for most study permits since 2024.Click for official info ↗/TAL — required since 2024), and proof of $20,635 plus first-year tuition for yourself. Apply online through the IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ portal; approved applicants abroad get a letter of introduction and, if needed, a visa to travel.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 2–5 hours of research
Choose a Designated Learning Institution
Only DLIs can host international students — check the official list and confirm the school's PGWPPost-Graduation Work Permit — The open work permit letting international graduates of eligible Canadian programs work for any employer.Click for official info ↗ eligibility before paying anything, since not all programs qualify for the post-graduation work permit (a huge factor in your long-term plan). Also check the DLIDesignated Learning Institution — A school approved by a province to host international students. Your study permit needs a DLI acceptance letter.Click for official info ↗'s compliance track record; attending a suspended DLIDesignated Learning Institution — A school approved by a province to host international students. Your study permit needs a DLI acceptance letter.Click for official info ↗ strands your application.
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- Go 2–6 weeks
Get accepted and secure your PAL
Apply to the program, pay the tuition deposit, and the school issues the acceptance letter and then requests a provincial attestation letter (PALProvincial Attestation Letter — A letter from a province or territory confirming your study permit application spot within its allocation. Required for most study permits since 2024.Click for official info ↗) on your behalf — most provinces turn these around in days to weeks. Your study permit application cannot proceed without a PALProvincial Attestation Letter — A letter from a province or territory confirming your study permit application spot within its allocation. Required for most study permits since 2024.Click for official info ↗ unless you are exempt (master's/doctoral, K–12, and a few other categories).
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- Fill / Prepare 1–2 weeks
Prepare the financial proof
As of 2025 you must show $20,635 for living costs (single applicant) PLUS first-year tuition and travel money. Acceptable evidence: GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) from a Canadian bank, 4–6 months of bank statements with a credible history, approved education loan, or a combination. Large unexplained recent deposits trigger refusal.
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- Submit & Pay 2–4 hours
Apply online through the IRCC portal
Complete the eligibility questionnaire, upload acceptance letter, PALProvincial Attestation Letter — A letter from a province or territory confirming your study permit application spot within its allocation. Required for most study permits since 2024.Click for official info ↗, financial proof, statement of purpose, passport, and medical exam (upfront required for many countries). Fee: $150 + $85 biometrics. The letter of explanation matters — weak study-plan narratives are a leading refusal reason for certain regions.
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- Wait 4–12 weeks
Biometrics and processing
Give biometrics within 30 days of the instruction letter. Processing runs roughly 4–12 weeks depending on country and volume; check current times online. IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ may request an interview or extra documents — respond through the portal by the stated deadline.
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- Follow Up 1 day at the border
Arrive and validate your permit
Approved? You receive a letter of introduction (not the permit itself) plus a visitor visa or eTA to board your flight. The border officer issues the actual study permit on arrival — verify the permit conditions immediately, especially whether you may work. Then register for classes (your DLIDesignated Learning Institution — A school approved by a province to host international students. Your study permit needs a DLI acceptance letter.Click for official info ↗ reports enrolment to IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗) and apply for your SINSocial Insurance Number — Your 9-digit Canadian work and tax number. You need it to work, open accounts, and receive benefits.Click for official info ↗.
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- Receive —
Know your work rights
Study permit holders in eligible programs can work 24 hours/week off campus during sessions (raised from 20 in late 2024) and full-time during scheduled breaks. Spouses of master's/doctoral students may qualify for open work permits — the rules were narrowed in 2025, so verify current policy before planning family finances around it.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SDS (Student Direct Stream) still available?
No — IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ ended SDS in November 2024. All study permit applications now go through the regular stream, so the old GIC-fast-track route is gone; GICs remain valid financial proof but no longer speed processing.
What is a PAL and do I need one?
A Provincial Attestation Letter — a cap-allocation document provinces issue to your school confirming your seat counts against the federal study permit cap. You need one for most college and bachelor applications. Master's, doctoral, and K–12 applicants are exempt.
Can my spouse come with me?
Spouses of university master's/doctoral students and some professional programs can still get open work permits, but the eligibility list was tightened in 2025. Spouses of college and bachelor students generally no longer qualify — plan finances on a single income.
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