Study Permits for Canada
A Canadian study permit opens the door to world-class education and a pathway to permanent residency. Our licensed RCIC-IRB consultant guides you through the entire process, from choosing the right Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to planning your post-graduation immigration pathway.
Program Overview
Everything you need to know about Study Permits for Canada
A study permit allows international students to attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Canada is home to some of the world's top universities and colleges, and studying in Canada can be the first step toward building a permanent life here.
Applicants must show they can pay first-year tuition and travel plus living expenses. For applications made on or after September 1, 2026, IRCC requires $23,448 CAD a year for a single student outside Quebec (more with family members; Quebec sets its own amounts). A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is a common way to show these funds. Most applicants also need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL); since January 1, 2026, students in master's or doctoral programs at public DLIs are exempt, as are primary and secondary school students. Our team helps you determine the best approach for your situation.
Beyond your studies, we help you understand post-graduation pathways including the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and how your Canadian education and work experience can position you for permanent residency through Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs.
Eligibility Requirements
Key requirements you need to meet
- Acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and return transportation
- Clean criminal record and willingness to provide police certificates
- Good health and willingness to complete a medical examination if required
- Satisfy the immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies
- Language test results if your school requires them (IRCC has no general language requirement for a study permit)
- Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), unless you are exempt (for example, master's and doctoral students at public DLIs since January 1, 2026)
Our Process
How we guide you from start to finish
Free Assessment
We review your academic background, financial situation, and immigration goals to recommend the best study program and immigration pathway for you.
School Selection & Acceptance
We help you choose the right DLI and program, prepare your application materials, and secure your letter of acceptance. We also advise on programs that offer the best PGWP eligibility.
Study Permit Application
We prepare and submit your study permit application with all required documentation, including proof of funds (such as a GIC), your PAL/TAL if required, and your letter of acceptance.
Arrival & Future Planning
Once approved, we guide you through arriving in Canada, understanding your permit conditions, and planning your pathway from study permit to PGWP to permanent residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Study Permits for Canada
Yes. Most full-time students can work off campus up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. Your study permit must include a condition allowing off-campus work.
The PGWP allows graduates from eligible Canadian DLIs to work in Canada for up to 3 years after completing their studies. The length of the PGWP depends on the duration of your study program. For PGWP applications since November 1, 2024, you need language test results: CLB 7 for university degree graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates. Graduates of non-degree college programs (if they applied for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024) also need a program in an eligible field of study (CIP code); bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates are exempt from this rule. The eligible field-of-study list is frozen for 2026, so check your program before enrolling. This work experience can help you qualify for permanent residency through Express Entry.
Tuition varies widely depending on the institution and program. Statistics Canada puts average international undergraduate tuition for 2025/26 at about $41,746 CAD a year, and it is higher in some provinces and programs. For applications made on or after September 1, 2026, you also need to show $23,448 CAD for one year of living expenses (single student, outside Quebec), in addition to tuition and travel costs.
Since January 21, 2025, Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) for spouses of students are limited to spouses of students in master's programs of 16 months or longer, doctoral programs, or select professional programs on IRCC's list. Spouses of most other undergraduate and college students are no longer eligible. Dependent children may still be eligible to study in Canada without a study permit at the primary or secondary level.
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