Study Permit Canada: How to Apply in 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues study permits to foreign nationals who want to study at a designated learning institution (DLI). A DLI is a school approved by a province or territory to host international students. A study permit is not a travel document: if you are approved from outside Canada, IRCC also issues a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) if you need one.

The legal rules are in Part 12 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Under section 216, an officer issues a permit only if you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay, you meet the requirements of the regulations, and a DLI has accepted you. For post-secondary schools, the DLI must also confirm your acceptance to IRCC. Section 220 requires enough money, without working in Canada, for tuition, living costs and return travel.

Study permits IRCC expects to issue in 2026

408,000

New study permit applications refused in 2025

59%

Time a post-secondary school has to confirm your acceptance

10 days

Off-campus work a week during regular terms

24 hours

The program is now capped and much stricter than before 2024. IRCC limits how many study permit applications it accepts each year, most applicants need a PAL/TAL, and IRCC's March 2026 briefing to the House of Commons immigration committee reported that 59% of new study permit applications were refused in 2025. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) and the Nigeria Student Express ended at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on November 8, 2024. The regular process still accepts a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) as proof of funds.

• Letter of acceptanceFrom a DLI. Upload it only in the space for the letter of acceptance. If a post-secondary school does not confirm it by IRCC's deadline, IRCC returns the application and refunds the processing fee.
• PAL/TALA provincial or territorial attestation letter, valid on the day you apply, unless you are exempt. Without one, IRCC does not accept the application for processing.
• Proof of fundsTuition, living expenses and return travel for you and any family members who come with you, without working in Canada.
• IdentityA valid passport or travel document for you and each family member. Your permit cannot be valid beyond your passport's expiry date.
• Good healthA medical exam if required, for example if you plan to stay more than 6 months and recently lived in certain countries.
• No criminal recordA police certificate if IRCC asks for one.
• Temporary staySatisfy the officer that you will leave Canada when your permit expires.

IRCC recommends a letter of explanation that says why you want to study in Canada and shows you understand your responsibilities as a student. IRCC's study permit requirements do not include a language test, but your school may require one, and most post-graduation work permit (PGWP) applicants need one later.

Some people can study without a permit, for example in a course or program of 6 months or less, and family or staff of accredited foreign representatives. Minor children already in Canada can also attend school without a permit in several situations, explained below.

1. 1

   Check the school and program

   Confirm the school is on IRCC's DLI list. If you may want to work after graduation, check that the program is PGWP-eligible before you apply, because some PGWP rules depend on the date of your study permit application.

2. 2

   Get your letter of acceptance

   Apply to the school and meet any conditions in the offer. If you later defer your start date, get the deferral approved by the school and send IRCC the updated letter.

3. 3

   Get your PAL/TAL

   Ask your school how. In most cases you must accept the offer and pay part or all of your tuition first. Each applicant needs their own letter, even when a family applies together.

4. 4

   Gather your documents

   Passport, proof of funds, letter of explanation, and any medical exam, police certificate, custodianship declaration or local visa office documents that apply to you.

5. 5

   Apply online and pay

   Use the IRCC secure account. Pay the study permit fee and, if you need to give biometrics, the biometrics fee at the same time to avoid delays.

6. 6

   Give biometrics

   Most applicants aged 14 to 79 give fingerprints and a photo. You have 30 days from the date on IRCC's biometrics letter. Biometrics are valid for 10 years.

7. 7

   Answer IRCC's requests

   IRCC may ask for an interview, more documents, a medical exam or a police certificate. Keep your contact details up to date in your account.

8. 8

   Travel and receive your permit

   Bring your letter of introduction, passport and supporting documents. A border services officer checks your identity and issues the permit if you meet the entry requirements.

Doctoral students: IRCC says it is processing study permit applications for doctoral students and their family members in 2 weeks. Students changing post-secondary schools inside Canada have a separate 60-day processing commitment, explained on the extension page.

You can only start working when your study program starts. Your permit must show a condition that allows you to work, and you need a social insurance number (SIN). If you are eligible but the condition is missing, ask IRCC to amend your permit at no cost before you apply for a SIN.

• The 24-hour limit is in paragraph 186(v) of the IRPR. Working more can cost you your status and future permits.
• Remote work for an employer outside Canada does not count toward the 24 hours, as long as you meet your permit conditions.
• You cannot work off campus if you study only English or French as a second language, general interest courses or courses needed to enter another program, or during an authorized leave.
• Secondary school students still need a co-op work permit for required work placements.

Each province and territory sets its own age of majority. A minor is a person under that age. Children under 17 must either come with a parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada. A custodian is a responsible adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and who will care for and support the child. For students aged 17 and over a custodian is optional, but an officer can ask for one.

• Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646)The custodian signs the first page and has it notarized in Canada. The parents or legal guardians sign the second page and have it notarized in their home country. Send it with the child's application.
• Letter of acceptanceGenerally required, even for primary or secondary school. It is not required when the child comes with a parent who is applying for a study or work permit.
• Apply before enteringA minor who will study for more than 6 months must apply before entering Canada, including a child coming with a parent who is applying for a study or work permit.
• Permit lengthPrimary school permits are issued for 1 year and can be renewed. Secondary school permits can cover the full intended period of study, up to 4 years.

Minors already in Canada can attend preschool, primary or secondary school without a permit in several cases, for example if a parent is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or a parent is authorized to work or study in Canada. IRCC still recommends a study permit, because it lets the child keep studying after reaching the age of majority and can give access to some provincial services.

For applications made from January 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026, the amount for one person was $22,895. IRCC updates the amounts every year. You must show funds for your first year and explain how you will pay for the rest of a longer program, for example a multi-year scholarship or proof that your parents are employed. IRCC assesses both the amount and its source.

Common proofs include a receipt for first-year tuition and housing, a GIC from a Canadian financial institution, a student loan from a bank, a scholarship, and bank statements for the past 6 months that show where the money came from. A letter from a sponsor must include their occupation, relationship to you, number of dependants and the amount of support, with proof. If your country uses foreign exchange controls, you must prove you can send the money out.

Quebec sets its own funds amounts for the CAQ, and medical exams are paid to the panel physician. Processing times change often; IRCC's current figures for applications from outside and inside Canada are shown on this page.

A missing or invalid PAL/TAL is not a refusal: IRCC does not accept the application for processing and returns the fee. If you are refused, IRCC sends a letter with the reasons, and you need a new PAL/TAL to apply again.

If you applied from outside Canada, IRCC sends a port of entry letter of introduction. It is not your study permit. Show it to the border services officer, who issues the permit. If you need an eTA, it is linked to the passport you used to apply, so travel with that passport. If you need a visitor visa, it is placed in your passport and you must enter before it expires.

If you applied from inside Canada, IRCC mails the permit to your Canadian address. You can start studying as soon as you receive the letter of approval in your account.

• Check your permit before you leave the border: name, school, level of study, work conditions and expiry date.
• Stay enrolled at the DLI named on your permit and actively pursue your studies. Authorized leaves cannot be longer than 150 days.
• Your permit usually expires 90 days after your program ends. If you finish early, it stops being valid 90 days after you complete your studies.
• To keep studying longer, change schools or restore an expired permit, read the study permit extension page.