Canadian Study Permit
Category: Student · Processing time: 4-14 weeks (varies significantly by applicant country of origin)
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Apply through official authority
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-06-19.
Visa type
Student
Processing time
4-14 weeks (varies significantly by applicant country of origin)
Fees
StudyPermitApplicationFee: CAD 150
Validity
Confirm on official source
Stay duration
Confirm on official source
Entry type
Confirm single/multiple entry rules
Insurance
Confirm if required
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Overview
Temporary residence authorization allowing foreign nationals to pursue academic programs at DLIs in Canada. Path to PR: No (requires transitioning to economic tracks like CEC or PNP post-grad
- Leads to permanent residency: No
- Requires job offer: No
- Language required: Yes
- Minimum education: Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Financial requirement: Mandatory. Applicants must explicitly show they possess a minimum of CAD 22,895 (outside Quebec) for single applicant living expenses, in addition to full first-year tuition fees and return t
- Accommodation proof: No
- Return ticket: No
Estimated Costs
- - StudyPermitApplicationFee: CAD 150
- - StudyPermitExtensionFee: CAD 150
- - BiometricsFeeIndividual: CAD 85
- - MinimumProofOfFundsSingle: CAD 22,895 (plus tuition and travel costs)
Required Documents
- - Valid international passport or recognized global travel credential document
- - Official Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issued by an authorized Canadian DLI
- - Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ), if applicable
- - Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) or 4 months of consecutive personal bank statements proving liquid savings
- - Comprehensive Letter of Explanation (Study Plan) detailing goals and ties to your home country
- - Upfront or instruction-based Immigration Medical Examination (IME) certificate, if required
Application Steps
- Secure an official Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a registered Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
- Obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) from your province or territory, if required.
- Purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) or prepare comprehensive bank files to meet the living expenses minimum.
- Compile proof of identity, regional police checks, and write a thorough letter of explanation detailing your academic plan.
- Submit your complete application electronically via the official IRCC portal and pay processing and biometric fees.
- Book an appointment to enroll your biometric fingerprint and facial data scan at a local Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) →
Travel Insurance Requirement
- Mandatory: Confirm with official source
- Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules
- Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions
- Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority
Embassy, Consulate & Appointments
- - Digital intake filters and processes files online, while localized biometric capture and passport stamps are run via global VFS networks.
- - Always check specific visa office instructions for your country to catch any localized mandatory document requirements.
Browse foreign embassies in Canada (MigrantIQ directory) →
Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal.
Application checklist
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Benefits & What This Visa Allows
- - Grants authorized permission to live and study at some of the top academic and technical institutions in the world
- - Permits eligible students to work up to the authorized hours per week off-campus during regular terms and full-time during breaks
- - Opens potential subsequent eligibility windows for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to gain valuable Canadian workforce skills
Trust & safety
Before you pay or submit documents
Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract.
Relevant laws
- Immigration Status and Overstay Rules
Immigration · Severity: Critical
Your right to stay in Canada depends on the exact visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you hold. Do not assume a pending application, job offer, or school admission aut
- Work Authorisation Rules
Employment · Severity: Critical
In Canada, a visa that allows entry does not always allow work. Paid employment, freelancing, remote work, internships, and trial shifts may each have different permission rules.
- Tax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax · Severity: High
Living in Canada for long enough, working locally, or registering as a resident may trigger tax-residency or income-reporting duties even if your income is paid from abroad.
- Employment Standards Act
Employment · Severity: Critical
You are entitled to minimum wage, 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year, and up to 3 days paid sick leave. Your employer cannot take these rights away by contract — they are protected by law.
Active scam alerts
Some agents overcharge newcomers for translations, notarisation, apostilles, or courier services for Canada, and may produce documents that are not accepted by official authorities.
Scammers impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents and claim you must pay a special fee to enter Canada, avoid questioning, release documents, or fast-track border che
Fraudsters offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages for Canada through unofficial agents. Victims may receive fake acceptance letters that fail verification during visa process
Scammers advertise fake apartments in Canada, pressure newcomers to transfer a deposit before viewing, and disappear after sending a fake lease or copied property photos.
Quick Eligibility Check
Use this self-check for Study Permit. It does not replace official legal assessment.
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Common Rejection Reasons
- - Failing to satisfy the visa officer that you will willingly leave Canada at the conclusion of your authorized study stay duration
- - Submitting weak financial documentation or newly deposited, unexplainable cash sums that fail the 4-month account audit
- - The chosen program of study appearing illogical or redundant given your past academic or employment background profile
- - Submitting an application completely missing a required Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or an unverified, expired LOA structure
Application Tips
- - Draft a clear Letter of Explanation explaining exactly why you chose this specific course, why you selected Canada, and how it aligns with your home-country career opportunities.
- - If applying from an eligible region, buy a CAD 22,895 GIC from a participating Canadian bank to instantly fulfill your living cost proof.
- - Double check if your specific program tier is exempt from the PAL cap rules—such as master's and doctoral programs at public institutions.
- - Do not assume part-time work wages can be counted toward your initial proof of funds; you must show the full required cash amounts upfront.
Sources & References
Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Official source for forms, appointments, fees, and final requirements.
- MigrantIQ visa record
Summary record maintained for planning and source verification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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