Updated May 2026
International StudentsStudy Permit
Canada 2026 Guide
A study permit lets you study at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI). It is not a visa — it authorises your status as a student. This checklist walks you through every step from choosing a school to arriving in Canada.
⚖️ Not legal or immigration advice. This guide is a general educational overview based on publicly available IRCC information, last verified May 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — always verify at canada.ca/ircc and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer before applying.
Step-by-step checklist
1
Choose a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
⏱ Before applying
💰 No fee
Not every Canadian school can host international students. The school must be on IRCC's official DLI list. Most universities, colleges, and CEGEPs are DLIs — but some private career colleges are not. Confirm before paying any deposit.
📄 Documents: DLI list: canada.ca/dli — confirm your school's DLI number before applying.
⚠ Watch out: Do not pay tuition or deposits to a school until you confirm it is on the DLI list. Being enrolled at a non-DLI school means you cannot get a study permit.
✓ Tip: Search the IRCC DLI list by province and school name at canada.ca before accepting any offer.
2
Get Your Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
⏱ Weeks to months depending on school
💰 School tuition deposit required
Apply to your chosen DLI and receive an official Letter of Acceptance. This is a required document for your study permit application. Make sure the LOA includes: your full legal name exactly as on your passport, the DLI number, program name, start date, and duration.
📄 Documents: Official Letter of Acceptance from the DLI with program details, start date, and DLI number.
⚠ Watch out: Your name on the LOA must exactly match your passport. Even a middle name discrepancy can delay or refuse your application.
✓ Tip: Apply to multiple schools if possible — you can choose which LOA to use for your permit application after you receive acceptances.
3
Get a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) — if required
⏱ Varies by province and school
💰 No fee (issued by school/province)
As of 2024, most undergraduate international students need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) from their province/territory to apply for a study permit. Key 2026 updates: Master's and doctoral students at public DLIs are now exempt from PAL/TAL (effective January 1, 2026). Students in joint programs only need one PAL/TAL even across multiple DLIs (updated February 6, 2026). Your DLI will manage the PAL/TAL process — contact your school's international student office.
📄 Documents: PAL or TAL from your province/territory (issued through your DLI). Not required for Master's/PhD at public DLIs from Jan 1, 2026.
⚠ Watch out: The PAL quota is limited per province. Apply and confirm your DLI enrollment early — some schools have waitlists for PAL allocation.
✓ Tip: If you're enrolling in a Master's or doctoral degree program at a public Canadian university after January 1, 2026, you do not need a PAL/TAL and can apply directly.
4
Gather Required Documents
⏱ 2–6 weeks before applying
💰 Varies — biometrics $85 CAD
Prepare all documents before starting your online application. Incomplete applications are a leading cause of refusals. Documents must be recent (within 3-6 months where dated).
📄 Documents: Valid passport (must be valid for duration of studies + extra), Letter of Acceptance (LOA), PAL/TAL (if required), proof of financial support, passport-style photos, language test results (if applicable), letter of explanation (recommended), provincial health coverage information.
⚠ Watch out: A single large deposit just before applying looks suspicious. Bank statements showing steady savings over 3–6 months are far more convincing to immigration officers.
✓ Tip: Write a strong Letter of Explanation (also called a Study Plan) explaining why you chose Canada and this program, your career goals, and why you intend to return home after studies. It is not required but significantly helps borderline applications.
5
Prove Your Finances
⏱ Before submitting
💰 No fee
You must show enough money to cover: Year 1 tuition + CAD $10,000 for living expenses ($11,000 if studying in Quebec). Per additional dependent: spouse/partner +$4,000, each child +$3,000. Acceptable evidence: personal or sponsored bank statements (last 6 months), GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate), scholarship/bursary letters, or a sponsor's proof of income with a signed sponsorship letter.
📄 Documents: Bank statements (last 3–6 months), GIC certificate, scholarship letters, or employer income proof if sponsored by a parent/guardian.
⚠ Watch out: Using a GIC from a Canadian bank (CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank, etc.) for the $10,000 living portion demonstrates funds are real and accessible in Canada. Many officers view GICs favourably.
✓ Tip: A GIC takes 2–4 weeks to set up from outside Canada. Factor this into your timeline.
6
Apply Online via IRCC Portal
⏱ 1–3 hours to complete
💰 $150 CAD study permit + $85 biometrics (if first time)
Apply online at canada.ca/ircc. Create an IRCC account, complete the study permit application form (IMM 1294), upload all documents, and pay fees. If you're from a country that needs a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA, these are issued automatically with your study permit approval — you do not apply separately.
📄 Documents: Completed application form (IMM 1294), all supporting documents, fee payment (credit/debit card).
⚠ Watch out: Do not pay the biometrics fee if you have already given biometrics to IRCC within the last 10 years — IRCC will confirm. Paying again unnecessarily wastes $85 and can create confusion.
✓ Tip: Use IRCC's document checklist tool (canada.ca) to generate a personalised document list based on your country and program — it takes 5 minutes and prevents common omissions.
7
Give Biometrics (if required)
⏱ Within 30 days of instruction letter
💰 $85 CAD (one-time, valid 10 years)
After submitting your application, you'll usually receive a biometrics instruction letter within a few days. Go to a designated Service Canada or IRCC office in your country to give fingerprints and a photo. Biometrics are valid for 10 years once given — check your IRCC account to see if you have existing valid biometrics before paying.
📄 Documents: Biometrics instruction letter from IRCC, valid passport, $85 fee receipt.
⚠ Watch out: Missing the 30-day biometrics deadline can result in your application being abandoned. Book your appointment as soon as you receive the instruction letter.
✓ Tip: Check biometrics appointment availability before applying — in some countries wait times are 3–6 weeks, so starting early is critical.
8
Wait for a Decision
⏱ 4–16 weeks (varies by country)
💰 No fee
Processing times vary significantly by country of residence. Check current processing times at canada.ca/processing-times. If approved, you'll receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction and, if needed, a visa stamp or eTA. Your actual study permit is issued at the port of entry when you arrive — bring all original documents.
📄 Documents: Nothing to submit — monitor your IRCC account for updates.
⚠ Watch out: Do not book non-refundable flights until you have a positive decision. Some countries have rejection rates above 50%.
✓ Tip: Use IRCC's application status tracker in your account. If processing time has passed with no decision, you can submit a webform inquiry.
9
Arrive in Canada & Get Your Study Permit
⏱ At the border
💰 No fee (permit issued at entry)
At the port of entry, a CBSA officer will review your LOA, POE Letter of Introduction, and your original documents, then issue your study permit. The permit will show your study conditions (school, program, whether you can work). Immediately after arriving: get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada, register for provincial health coverage (wait periods apply), register with your school's international student office.
📄 Documents: Original passport, POE Letter of Introduction, LOA, proof of funds, all documents from your application.
⚠ Watch out: If you arrive at the border and the study permit is refused, you may be turned away. CBSA officers can refuse entry even with a visa — bring all original documents, not just copies.
✓ Tip: Apply for your SIN the first week — you need it to work on campus, open a bank account, and file taxes.
10
While Studying — Know Your Conditions
⏱ Ongoing
💰 No fee
Your study permit has conditions you must follow: remain enrolled full-time at your DLI (part-time only allowed in your final semester or for documented medical reasons); maintain valid status — apply to extend your permit before it expires; you can work up to 24 hours/week off campus during study sessions and full-time during official breaks; if you change schools, update IRCC within 10 days.
📄 Documents: N/A — ongoing compliance.
⚠ Watch out: Working over 24 hours/week off campus is a serious violation that can affect your PGWP eligibility and future immigration applications.
✓ Tip: Track your study permit expiry date in your IRCC account. Apply for an extension at least 90 days before it expires.
$150
Study permit fee
$85
Biometrics (1st time)
$10,000+
Living funds required
$0
PAL/TAL (via school)
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Canadian study permit valid?
A study permit is typically issued for the length of your program plus 90 days, to allow time to either leave Canada, apply for a PGWP, or extend your status. It must be valid for the entire time you are studying. If your program is extended, apply to extend your permit.
Can I apply for a study permit from inside Canada?
Yes, in some cases. If you are already in Canada as a visitor, worker, or student, you may be able to change your status to student without leaving. However, some nationalities must apply from outside Canada or at a Visa Application Centre. Use the IRCC eligibility tool to check your specific situation.
What happens if my study permit is refused?
You will receive a refusal letter explaining the reason (typically: insufficient proof of funds, ties to home country, incomplete documents, or the officer not being satisfied you will leave Canada after studies). You can reapply — address each stated reason with stronger evidence. There is no waiting period between applications, but you pay fees each time.
Do I need health insurance as an international student?
Yes. Most provinces require or strongly recommend health coverage. Some provinces include international students in their provincial health plan after a waiting period (Ontario: 3 months; BC: no waiting period for students). In the interim, your school's international student health plan typically provides coverage. Confirm with your school.
Can my family come with me on a student visa?
Your spouse/common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you are a full-time student in a PGWP-eligible program. Dependent children can come to Canada and may attend school. Each family member needs their own permit. Note: as of 2025-2026, spousal open work permit eligibility for students has been tightened — spouses of most undergraduate students no longer qualify automatically.