How to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit
You need an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution. You also need 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). This has been required since 2024. And you need proof of $23,448, plus your first-year tuition. This is for one person, for applications on or after 1 September 2026. The figure is from 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 ↗, reported by Hindustan Times. Apply online through the IRCC portal. If you are approved and you are abroad, you get a letter of introduction. If you need one, you also get a visa to travel.
At a glance
- Cost:
- $150 permit + $85 biometrics; $23,448 proof of funds (from 1 Sept 2026)
- Total time:
- 4–12 weeks (varies by country)
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- canada.ca
Last reviewed November 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due November 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(November 2026).
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. 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 you pay anything. Not all programs qualify for the post-graduation work permit. This is 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 record. If your DLI is suspended, your application is stuck.
Click to mark as done
- Go 2–6 weeks
Get accepted and secure your PAL
Apply to the program and pay the tuition deposit. The school then gives you an acceptance letter. Next, the school requests a provincial attestation letter (PAL) for you. Most provinces issue these in days to weeks. Your study permit application cannot move forward without a PAL, unless you are exempt. Exempt groups include master's and doctoral students at public DLIs, K–12 students, and a few other categories. Existing permit holders who extend at the same DLI and the same level of study are also exempt.
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- Fill / Prepare 1–2 weeks
Prepare the financial proof
For applications on or after 1 September 2026, you must show $23,448 for living costs. This is for a single applicant. You must also show your first-year tuition and travel money. The figure is from IRCC, reported by Hindustan Times. Accepted proof includes a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) from a Canadian bank. It also includes 4–6 months of bank statements with a believable history. An approved education loan works too, or a mix of these. Large, recent deposits with no explanation lead to refusal.
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- Submit & Pay 2–4 hours
Apply online through the IRCC portal
Fill in the eligibility questionnaire. Upload your acceptance letter, your PAL, your financial proof, your statement of purpose, your passport, and your medical exam. Many countries need the medical exam upfront. The fee is $150 + $85 biometrics. Your letter of explanation matters. A weak study plan is a leading reason for refusal in certain regions.
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- Wait 4–12 weeks
Biometrics and processing
Give your biometrics within 30 days of the instruction letter. Processing takes roughly 4–12 weeks. This depends on your country and on volume. Check the current times online. IRCC may ask for an interview or more documents. Reply through the portal by the deadline they give you.
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- Follow Up 1 day at the border
Arrive and validate your permit
Approved? You get a letter of introduction. This is not the permit itself. You also get a visitor visa or an eTA to board your flight. The border officer gives you the actual study permit when you arrive. Check the permit conditions right away. Look closely at whether you may work. Then register for classes. Your DLI reports your enrolment to IRCC. Also 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 ↗.
Click to mark as done
- Receive —
Know your work rights
Study permit holders in eligible programs can work 24 hours/week off campus during the school term. This went up from 20 in late 2024. You can work full-time during scheduled breaks. Spouses of master's and doctoral students may qualify for open work permits. The rules were narrowed in 2025. So check the current policy before you plan your family money around it.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SDS (Student Direct Stream) still available?
No. IRCC ended SDS in November 2024. All study permit applications now go through the regular stream. The old GIC fast-track route is gone. A GIC is still valid financial proof. It just no longer speeds up processing.
What is a PAL and do I need one?
A Provincial Attestation Letter is a cap-allocation document. Your province issues it to your school. It confirms that your seat counts against the federal study permit cap. You need one for most college and bachelor applications. Master's and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt. K–12 applicants are exempt too. So are existing study-permit holders who extend at the same DLI and the same level of study (per IRCC, reported by CIC News).
Can my spouse come with me?
Spouses of university master's and doctoral students can still get open work permits. So can spouses in some professional programs. But the eligibility list was tightened in 2025. Spouses of college and bachelor students generally no longer qualify. Plan your money around a single income.
I already have a valid work permit. Do I need a study permit for a short course?
Not always. IRCC has a temporary public policy in force from 4 September 2026 to 31 December 2027. Under it, people with a valid work permit can study without a study permit. The program must be 6 months or less. It can be full-time or part-time. The study authorization lasts 6 months, or until your work permit expires, whichever comes first. No Quebec CAQ is needed. Anything longer or full-time still requires a study permit. The policy can be cancelled at any time. Check IRCC's operational page before you rely on it (canada.ca: workers-study-without-study-permit).
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