Canada study permit

People enrolled at a Canadian designated learning institution who meet the study permit requirements.

• Enrol at an approved school

  Be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI).

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get an acceptance letter

  Include a letter of acceptance from your school with your application. An exception applies if you are the family member of someone whose study or work permit application was approved in writing before you come to Canada.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Show enough money

  Prove you have enough money, without working in Canada, for tuition, living expenses for yourself and accompanying family members, and transportation to and from Canada. Show resources for the first year and, for a programme longer than one year, explain how you plan to pay for the full duration. For applications from 1 September 2026 outside Quebec, the first-year living-expenses amount for one person is CAN$23,448, excluding tuition and transportation; the amount rises with family size. Quebec applicants must show they can cover the costs required for a CAQ.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Prove your identity

  You and each accompanying family member must provide a copy of a valid passport or travel document and two recent passport-size photos.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet criminal-record requirements

  Obey the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate if required.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet health requirements

  Be in good health and get a medical exam if required.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Show you will leave

  Prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get an attestation letter if neededSometimes needed

  A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) is usually required with the study permit application. Applicants who meet an exemption must provide proof of it. Starting 1 January 2026, an applicant to a degree-granting master's or doctoral programme at a public DLI does not need a PAL/TAL.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get Quebec approval if neededSometimes needed

  If you want to study in Quebec, you need an attestation of issuance of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead of a PAL/TAL; most students who do not need a PAL/TAL must still get a CAQ.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Arrange a custodian if neededSometimes needed

  A child under 17 who is not coming to Canada with a parent or legal guardian must have an appointed custodian.

  canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource

• Study permit application, per personircc.canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource$150 per person
• Biometrics, if required, per individualircc.canada.ca · checked 5 days agoSource$85 per person

1. Get ready

   • Choose a designated learning institution

     Choose a DLI and enrol in a programme there.

   • Get your acceptance letter

     Get the letter of acceptance from your school for your application, unless the stated family-member exception applies.

     You’ll need: Letter of acceptance

   • Get the required study attestation

     Ask your school how to obtain a PAL/TAL, or a CAQ for study in Quebec, and check whether an exemption applies.

     You’ll need: PAL/TAL or CAQ, if required, Proof of exemption, if applicable

   • Gather your supporting documents

     Prepare proof of identity and funds, together with any medical, police, custodianship or local visa-office documents required in your case.

     You’ll need: Valid passport or travel document, Passport-size photos, Proof of financial support, Other documents required for your circumstances

2. Apply

   • Apply for your study permit

     Submit a complete online application before travelling to Canada, unless you qualify for another application method.

     You’ll need: Letter of acceptance, PAL/TAL or proof of exemption, if applicable, Supporting documents

   • Pay the application fees

     Pay the study permit fee and, if you need to give biometrics, the biometrics fee when submitting your application.

3. Visa

   • Give biometrics if asked

     Book a biometrics appointment as soon as you can after receiving instructions to give your fingerprints and photo.

     You’ll need: Biometrics instruction letter, if issued

   • Check the decision and travel documents

     If approved from outside Canada, receive a port-of-entry letter of introduction and, if needed, an eTA or visitor visa; the letter is not the study permit.

     You’ll need: Port-of-entry letter of introduction, eTA or visitor visa, if needed

4. Travel

   • Show your documents on arrival

     When you arrive

     Show the border services officer your valid travel document, letter of introduction, valid acceptance letter and other required documents; an approved applicant arriving from outside Canada receives the study permit at the port of entry.

     You’ll need: Valid passport or travel document, Port-of-entry letter of introduction, Valid letter of acceptance, Required entry document, Other documents the visa office told you to bring

5. Settle in

   • Follow your study permit conditions

     Make progress towards completing your programme, respect your permit conditions and stop studying if you no longer meet the requirements.

     You’ll need: Study permit

Graduates may be able to stay and work in Canada with a post-graduation work permit if they meet its separate eligibility requirements.

• Study permit - Canada.cacanada.caOfficial
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/ch…Official
• Study permit: Who can apply - Canada.cacanada.caOfficial
• Study permit: Get the right documents - Canada.cacanada.caOfficial
• Study permit: Get the right documents Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter - Canada.cacanada.caOfficial
• Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee listircc.canada.caOfficial
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/s…Official
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/s…Official
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/s…Official
• Study permit: Get the right documents - Proof of financial support - Canada.cacanada.caOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.