Famous for its friendly people and vibrant cities, Canada is always one of the most popular places to study abroad. With its high standard of living and top-quality academic institutions, it’s easy to see the attraction.
If you want to become an international student in the country, you are likely to need a visa. While this may sound complicated, it becomes simpler once you are well-informed. To help you understand how to apply, our guide explains the process clearly. We cover everything from the requirements to the costs and processing times.
Our education counsellors can also provide personalised support to help you apply for a Canadian student visa. Click the button below to sign up and connect with an expert.
Canadian study permits
Unlike some countries, Canada does not grant documents known as student visas. Instead, most international students must apply for a study permit. Successful applicants are automatically given a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) alongside their permit.
Before you begin your application, use our table to see whether you will need a study permit.
|
I want to study in Canada for… |
Study permit required? |
|
up to 6 months (applying from outside Canada) |
No – a visitor visa or eTA is enough |
|
up to 6 months (applying from inside Canada) |
Yes – though some are excepted |
|
more than 6 months |
Yes |
This article explains the Canadian study permit application process.
What courses can I study?
International students in Canada can get a study permit for almost any course offered by a designated learning institution (DLI).
What does a Canadian study permit allow?
Typically, a study permit allows you to live and learn in Canada for the length of your course. After your course ends, you can normally stay in Canada for an additional 90 days.
Work
Most full-time international students can work in Canada, with certain limitations. During term time, you could work for up to 24 hours per week off campus. In the holidays, working hours are unlimited – and they always are for on-campus employment.
It is important to note that you will not be permitted to work:
- before your study programme begins
- after your study programme has finished
- if your studies are part-time (unless you are in the last semester of a full-time programme)
- during any breaks you take from studying (excluding breaks between semesters).
If you intend to work in Canada, you must apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). It is also compulsory to have a study permit, even if your programme does not require it.
Get to know your international student work rights in Canada.
Family
With a study permit, you can bring the following family members to Canada:
- Your spouse or co-habiting partner
- Your unmarried children under 22
- Your children over 22 who are dependent on you due to a health condition
You should include family members that you wish to bring in your study permit application. Any who are not included must apply to enter Canada separately.
Find out more about studying abroad with family.
Other rules
As an international student in Canada, you must:
- be enrolled in your course during every semester
- make progress towards completing your course
- have authorisation from your DLI for any break in studies (up to a maximum of 150 days)
- apply to extend your study permit if transferring to a new institution
Be aware that every visa is unique. Visas are granted on a case-by-case basis. Yours may include other conditions depending on your circumstances.
Getting ready for your Canadian study permit application
Before you apply for your study permit, you will need:
- a current passport (or another valid travel document)
- a letter of acceptance from your institution
- a provincial attestation letter (PAL), territorial attestation letter (TAL), or Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) – with limited exceptions
- proof of funds.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need:
- a medical exam
- a police certificate
- other documents, specific to where you are from.
It is also recommended that you write a letter of explanation. This can show your reasons for studying in Canada, and that you fully understand what it involves. Although a letter is not compulsory, it could help your chances of approval.
Letter of acceptance
Once you have been given a place on your study programme, your DLI will issue you a letter of acceptance (LOA). You must provide a copy of this when making your study permit application. Your DLI will confirm that it is valid.
Provincial attestation letter (PAL), territorial attestation letter (TAL) or Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
In most cases, you will be required to provide a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL) when applying for a study permit. These documents confirm that you have been given a place to study in the part of Canada where your DLI is based. Each province and territory has a limited number of places to offer, so this ensures that they do not offer too many.
The PAL/TAL requirement applies to prerequisite courses, as well as your main study programme. So, if you need to complete a pre-sessional English course, that will need a PAL or TAL. In addition, you must provide a PAL or TAL for every dependant family member you bring.
If you plan to study in Quebec, you will need an attestation of issuance for your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), provided by the Government of Quebec. This serves the same purpose as a PAL or TAL. Wherever you study, you can contact your DLI for information on how to get the required document.
Medical exam
You may be required to undergo a medical exam if you recently visited certain countries and intend to remain in Canada for more than six months.
You may also need a medical exam if you plan to take up a job where public health is a top priority.
When to apply for your Canadian study permit
You can apply for your study permit as soon as you receive your proof of acceptance. However, it is important not to rush or to leave things late.
Costs of a Canadian study permit
The application fee for a Canadian study permit is CAD 150.
If you are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photographs), you will need to pay an extra fee of CAD 85. If you bring any family to Canada, this will rise to CAD 170.
Proof of funds
You will also need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and any accompanying family members while you are in Canada.
In addition to the cost of your tuition fees and travel to and from Canada, you will need access to the following amounts of money as a student without family:
|
DLI location |
Amount (per year) |
|
Outside Quebec |
CAD 22,895 |
|
Inside Quebec |
CAD 15,508 |
If you do plan to bring family members, more funding will be required. The amount you need will rise with every additional person on your application.
As an example, if you are applying to study outside Quebec and intend to bring two family members, you will need to show you have access to at least CAD 35,040. You can find out exactly how much money you need on the Government of Canada website.
To prove your funds, you can provide evidence such as:
- proof of a Canadian bank account in your name
- a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution
- proof of a student loan from a bank
- bank statements from the past four months
- a bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
- proof you have paid your tuition and housing fees
- a letter from a person or school funding your studies
- proof of funding paid from within Canada (for scholarships or Canadian-funded educational programmes).
We have helpful articles available about the student cost of living and tuition fees in Canada.
Your knowledge of English
Although there are no English language requirements for a study permit, it is likely that your education provider will require evidence of your ability.
Canadian institutions typically accept IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and CAEL as proof of English language proficiency. Others may also be recognised, so it is a good idea to check requirements before you apply.
Other Canadian study permit requirements
Biometrics
You may be required to have your fingerprints and photographs taken as part of your application.
Photographs
You will need to supply two recent passport-size photos.
Police certificate
Applicants from some countries must provide a document confirming either that they do not have a criminal record, or what their record includes.
Other documents
Depending on the country from which you apply, you may need to supply other documents. You can see what may be required by selecting your country within the online application service.
Completing your Canadian study permit application
You must apply for your study permit online unless disability prevents you from doing so, or you are a stateless individual, refugee or non-national resident.
Make sure you have your credit or debit card ready to pay the fees associated with your application.
After you apply
Once you have applied, you must wait for a decision. If there is anything else you need to provide, you will be contacted about it.
Processing times for study permit applications vary depending on when and where they are made. The following table shows estimates for applications from several countries at time of writing.
| Country | Estimated processing time |
| Bangladesh | Four weeks |
| Canada | Six weeks |
| Ghana | Eleven weeks |
| India | Three weeks |
| Kenya | Eight weeks |
| Malaysia | Seven weeks |
| Nepal | Four weeks |
| Nigeria | Eight weeks |
| Pakistan | Nine weeks |
| Philippines | Seven weeks |
| Sri Lanka | Six weeks |
All information in this table comes from the Canadian government's processing times tool. You can use this to find up-to-date estimates for wherever you are based.
If you take the process step-by-step and follow all instructions carefully, applying for a Canadian visa can go smoothly. But first, you'll need somewhere to study. Continue your research with our guide to the top universities in Canada, or find your ideal course in the country with our simple search tool.
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