A Canadian Study Permit is the authorization document that permits international students to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Study Permit is not technically a visa but an immigration status permitting full-time enrollment at an accredited Canadian school and includes limited work rights (up to 20 hours per week during academic terms, full-time during breaks). Since January 1, 2024, all Study Permit applicants from designated countries must provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) confirming provincial acceptance and enrollment, as part of a significant policy shift to control international student numbers and prioritize student credential quality. The permit is valid for the duration of studies plus a 3-month grace period and serves as the foundation for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), which allow 1–3 years of work authorization following graduation.
Key facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
| Document type | Permit document (not a visa stamp); study authorization letter and paper permit issued together |
| DLI requirement | School must be designated by the student’s province as a Designated Learning Institution; mandatory for all applicants |
| Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) | Required since January 1, 2024, for applicants from designated countries (primary requirement of recent restrictions) |
| Processing time | 4–12 weeks standard processing (online applications); slower for paper applications or complex cases |
| Visa fee | Approximately CAD 150 (approximately USD 110) for permit application; no biometric fee in Canada (pay in home country if required) |
| Biometric fee | Approximately CAD 85 (approximately USD 60) if required; assessed per applicant; waived for some countries |
| Financial requirement | Proof of funds for tuition + living costs (approximately CAD 20,000–40,000/year depending on province and institution); must evidence funds for full program duration |
| Health exam | May be required if applicant is from country with health screening requirement; TB testing mandatory from high-incidence countries |
| Police clearance | Required if applicant has spent 6+ months in certain countries or has criminal history |
| Duration | For length of program plus 90-day grace period (180 days if final semester) |
| Work rights | On-campus: up to 20 hrs/week during term; off-campus: full-time during scheduled breaks (if employer participates in work-integrated learning or with specific exemptions); post-graduation work via PGWP |
Eligibility
- Acceptance and enrollment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada; school must be registered on the DLI list for the student’s province
- Full-time student status (minimum 12–15 credits per semester, depending on province and institution; verified through enrollment letter)
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued by the province (required since January 1, 2024, for applicants from high-volume countries; other countries may be exempt; check IRCC website)
- English or French language proficiency sufficient for the program (demonstrated via IELTS 6.0+, TOEFL 80+, CELPIP 7+, DELF/DALF for French; varies by institution and program)
- Proof of financial capacity: Funds sufficient to cover tuition and living expenses for the full program duration (typically CAD 20,000–40,000+ per year)
- Valid passport (valid for duration of stay; recommended 6+ months validity beyond permit expiry)
- No criminal history or security concerns
- Health requirements: TB screening if from high-incidence country; no serious health conditions
- Statement of purpose or letter of intent (may be required, explaining reasons for study in Canada and ties to home country)
Required documents
- Letter of acceptance: From the DLI confirming enrollment and program start date
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): Issued by the province; required for applicants from designated countries (January 2024 onwards)
- Proof of financial capacity:
- Bank statements covering 6 months, showing funds available
- Educational loan approval letter or government sponsorship documentation
- Proof of scholarship from Canadian or home-country institution
- Parental bank statements with statutory declaration (if funds held by parent)
- Proof of paid tuition (receipt or invoice)
- Valid passport: Copy of photo page and any pages with visas or migration records
- Proof of English or French proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL, CELPIP, or DELF/DALF certificate
- Medical examination results: Form IMM 1017 or IMM 1023 if required (medical assessment by panel physician; required from high-TB-incidence countries)
- Police clearance certificate: Required if applicant has spent 6+ months in countries outside home country since turning 18
- Statement of purpose or personal letter: Brief explanation of study objectives and ties to home country (increasingly required under new DLI/PAL requirements)
- Proof of DLI status: Confirmation that school is registered as DLI for the province (check school enrollment letter or IRCC DLI list)
Application steps
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Identify and enroll at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI): Verify the school is on the DLI list for the province by checking the IRCC DLI registry (ircc.canada.ca/dli).
-
Receive letter of acceptance from the DLI confirming:
- Program title and duration
- Start and end dates
- Full-time enrollment status
- Tuition costs
- DLI designation confirmation
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Obtain Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) (required since January 2024):
- Check if you are from a designated country (list updated regularly; most countries from high-volume source regions are designated)
- PAL is issued by the provincial government; process varies by province
- Typically, the DLI applies on your behalf and provides you with the PAL once provincial approval is confirmed
- PAL is valid for 1 year; must be included with Study Permit application
- Provinces may require proof of financial capacity, health insurance, and academic credentials to issue PAL
-
Gather financial documentation:
- Bank statements covering 6 months showing available funds
- Evidence of tuition payment or confirmation of funds for tuition
- Proof of scholarship or educational loan (if applicable)
- Evidence that funds have been held for sufficient period (not borrowed immediately before application)
-
Complete English/French proficiency test (if not already done):
- IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 80+ for English programs
- DELF B2 or equivalent for French programs
- Obtain official test certificate
-
Obtain police clearance certificate (if required):
- Required if you have spent 6+ months in any country other than your home country since turning 18
- Contact local police or home affairs office in each country where you have resided 6+ months
- Allow 2–4 weeks for processing
-
Undergo medical examination (if required based on country of residence):
- Contact a panel physician designated by IRCC in your country
- Complete required medical examination (Form IMM 1017 or IMM 1023)
- Results sent directly to IRCC; physician provides you with copy for records
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Create IRCC My Account: Register online at ircc.canada.ca to begin Study Permit application.
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Complete Study Permit application online:
- Personal details (full name, date of birth, passport number, nationality)
- Program details (DLI name, program duration, start date, field of study)
- Financial details (total funds available, proof of funds, source of funds)
- Statement of purpose or personal letter (explaining study objectives and ties to home country)
- Work history (if applicable)
- Family information (parents, spouse, children, siblings)
- Health and character declarations
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Pay application fee: Approximately CAD 150 (USD 110) for the Study Permit application. Payment through IRCC online portal using credit card.
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Pay biometric fee (if required): Approximately CAD 85 (USD 60) per applicant; assessed based on citizenship and criminal history. Fee waived for some countries.
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Upload supporting documents:
- Letter of acceptance (from DLI)
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
- Proof of financial capacity (bank statements, tuition receipt)
- English/French proficiency certificate
- Police clearance (if required)
- Medical examination results (if required; physician submits, but confirm completion)
- Passport copy
- Personal statement or letter of intent
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Submit application: Complete and submit online application. Receive acknowledgment of receipt and application reference number.
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Attend biometric appointment (if required by IRCC):
- If requested, appointment details sent via email
- Attend appointment at Service Point or authorized location in your country
- Provide fingerprints and photograph
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Await decision: IRCC assesses application, typically within 4–12 weeks for online applications. Check status in your IRCC My Account.
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Receive decision notification: Approval or request for additional information sent to your My Account and email.
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Receive Study Permit: If approved, Study Permit is either:
- Printed and mailed to your address, OR
- Issued as a port-of-entry document (you receive approval in your account and present it at Canadian port of entry)
- If mailed, allow 2–4 weeks for delivery
-
Enter Canada: Present Study Permit and passport at Canadian border. May receive Permit Receipt (if permit not yet printed) valid for entry.
Financial proof / maintenance funds
Canada specifies financial requirements based on program costs and living expenses.
- Tuition: Full cost of program as indicated in acceptance letter; typically CAD 5,000–30,000+ per year depending on program level and institution
- Living expenses: IRCC estimates approximately CAD 15,000–20,000+ per year depending on location and lifestyle
- Total required: Tuition + (living costs × program duration). Example: 2-year Master’s at Ontario university: tuition CAD 40,000 + living costs CAD 36,000 = CAD 76,000 required
- Source: Student’s bank account, parent’s account (with statutory declaration), educational loan, or scholarship
- Holding period: Funds should be documented for recent months; funds borrowed immediately before application may be questioned
- Currency: CAD amounts preferred; can be converted from USD or home-country currency using current rates at time of application
Work rights
On-campus work:
- Up to 20 hours per week while school is in session (academic term)
- Full-time employment during scheduled school breaks (Christmas, spring break, summer vacation)
- Work must be on-campus (university facilities, affiliated services)
- No employer sponsorship required
Off-campus work:
- Limited off-campus work available during term (up to 20 hours/week in some provinces; check provincial rules)
- Full-time off-campus work during school breaks with employer participation in work-integrated learning programs (co-op, internship)
- Since 2022, some provinces expanded off-campus work during term for part-time work (check current provincial regulations)
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP):
- Duration: 1–3 years depending on program length (bachelor’s degree: 3 years; diploma/certificate: 1 year; master’s: 3 years; PhD: 3 years)
- Application: Must apply within 180 days of program completion
- Work authorization: Full-time unrestricted work with any employer in any field
- No employer sponsorship required: Can work without employer visa sponsorship
- Path to permanent residency: PGWP serves as pathway to permanent residency through Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Express Entry system
Common refusal reasons
- No Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): Since January 2024, PAL is mandatory for applicants from designated countries; missing PAL results in automatic refusal (major reason for recent rejections)
- Lack of financial proof: Insufficient funds evidenced, funds held for insufficient duration, or unexplained source of funds
- Not a DLI or DLI status incorrect: School is not designated as DLI, or provincial designation has changed or expired
- English/French proficiency below threshold: Test scores below required minimum; old test results (>3 years old in some cases)
- Character concerns: Criminal history (particularly immigration-related offenses), security concerns, or failure to disclose prior convictions
- Health grounds: Positive TB test (from high-incidence countries); serious health condition
- Lack of ties to home country: Insufficient evidence of ties (employment, family, property) suggesting intent to return after studies
- Inconsistent application: Discrepancies between application form, financial documents, and personal letter regarding study intentions
Recent changes
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement (January 2024): Major policy change requiring all applicants from high-volume source countries to obtain PAL from provincial government before Study Permit approval. This significantly changed the application process and timeline; many provinces implement PALs as part of enrollment with DLI.
International student cap implementation (2024 onwards): Canada reduced international student intake by setting per-institution caps; PAL system linked to provincial caps to control numbers.
PGWP regulations reformed (November 2024): Work permit eligibility tightened; some graduates of shorter programs (less than 8 months) may no longer qualify for PGWP; 2-year minimum program length may be applied more stringently.
Off-campus work expansion (2024): Some provinces expanded off-campus work authorization for Study Permit holders during term; check provincial regulations for updates.
Biometric fee waived for select countries (2024): IRCC waived biometric collection fees for countries with advanced security partnerships.
Related visas or statuses
- Designated Learning Institution (DLI): The accreditation/registry system for Canadian schools
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): The provincial approval requirement (new since January 2024)
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Work authorization for graduates; see separate entry
- Express Entry: Permanent residency pathway for graduates with Canadian work experience and points
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Permanent residency category for skilled workers with Canadian experience
- Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa): Tourist/visit visa (not suitable for study; Study Permit is required)
Primary sources
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Study Permit
- IRCC: Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) Registry
- IRCC: Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL)
- IRCC: Financial Requirements for Study Permits
- Study in Canada: Official Information Portal
Last updated: 2026-04-18.