Canada study permit applicants must meet current federal requirements on admission, finances, admissibility and temporary residence before they can study at most Canadian institutions.
This guide explains the Canada study permit process and the rules in force as of September 27, 2026, including the 2026 international student cap, provincial or territorial attestation letters, updated financial thresholds and post-graduation work permit considerations.
Table of Contents
What Is A Canada Study Permit?
A Canada study permit is an immigration document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that allows a foreign national to study at a designated learning institution in Canada.
Most foreign nationals need a study permit for programs lasting more than six months, although some short-term studies and specific exemptions may apply.
A study permit is not itself a travel visa.
If IRCC approves an application from outside Canada, it generally issues the required visitor visa or electronic travel authorization automatically, depending on the applicant’s nationality and travel document.
Who Can Qualify For A Canada Study Permit?
To qualify, an applicant generally must satisfy IRCC that they:
- Have been accepted by a designated learning institution.
- Have enough money for tuition, living expenses and return transportation.
- Will obey Canadian laws and have no criminal or security concerns.
- Are medically admissible when an examination is required.
- Will leave Canada when the study permit expires, unless they obtain another valid status.
An officer may also assess the applicant’s study plan, education history, career objectives, family and economic ties, travel history and the overall credibility of the application.
Choose The Right Designated Learning Institution
A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution is normally required for a Canada study permit application.
Applicants should check the federal DLI list before paying tuition or submitting an application because institutions and individual programs can have different immigration consequences.
Not every program at a DLI is eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
Students who want to work in Canada after graduation should confirm that both the institution and the specific program meet the applicable PGWP rules before applying for a study permit.
PAL And TAL Requirements In 2026
Most study permit applicants outside Quebec need a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter with the application. Quebec applicants generally need an attestation of issuance for a Quebec Acceptance Certificate, or CAQ, instead.
The PAL or TAL confirms that the province or territory has assigned the applicant a place among the available spaces for study permit applicants.
The applicant normally requests the document through the designated learning institution after receiving an acceptance letter and must submit it with the study permit application.
For the 2026 cap year, a PAL or TAL issued between January 1 and December 31, 2026, is generally valid until December 31, 2026, unless the document has an earlier expiry date.
Applicants cannot normally use a PAL or TAL issued during an earlier cap year.
As of January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral students enrolling in eligible degree-granting programs at public DLIs do not need a PAL or TAL.
Primary and secondary students, certain priority or vulnerable groups and some existing study permit holders applying to extend at the same DLI and level of study may also be exempt.
How The 2026 International Student Cap Works
IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, including permits for new arrivals and extensions for current or returning students.
The federal government expects up to 155,000 new international student arrivals and approximately 253,000 extensions in the 2026 target.
For PAL or TAL-required applicants, IRCC has allocated 309,670 application spaces for processing in 2026.
Provincial and territorial governments distribute their available spaces to designated learning institutions, so a school’s ability to issue or support an attestation may affect when an applicant can apply.
The cap does not replace the normal Canada study permit eligibility assessment.
An application that is accepted for processing can still be refused if the applicant does not satisfy the officer about finances, admissibility, study purpose or temporary intent.
Financial Requirements For A Canada Study Permit
Applicants must prove they can pay for the first year of tuition, living expenses and transportation without relying on unauthorized work in Canada.
For programs longer than one year, the applicant must also explain how the full duration of the program will be financed.
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, the minimum living-expense amount outside Quebec is $23,448 for one person, excluding tuition and transportation.
The required annual amount rises to $29,192 for two family members, $35,888 for three, $43,572 for four, $49,419 for five, $55,736 for six and $62,054 for seven.
Each additional family member adds $6,318.
Quebec applicants must follow the financial requirements used for the Quebec Acceptance Certificate, commonly called the CAQ, in addition to federal study permit requirements.
Common evidence includes bank statements, education loans, scholarship letters, proof of paid tuition or housing, guaranteed investment certificates and documents showing the source of funds.
Applicants should provide clear evidence that the money is genuinely available and explain large deposits or transfers.
Documents Needed For The Application
The personalized IRCC checklist controls the exact documents required for each applicant’s Canada study permit application.
Common documents include:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- A letter of acceptance from the DLI.
- A PAL or TAL, unless exempt, or the applicable Quebec authorization.
- A CAQ for study in Quebec, where required.
- Proof of financial support.
- A letter of explanation or study plan.
- Academic records and evidence of previous education.
- Language test results when relevant to the school or application.
- Police certificates or medical examination results when required.
- Biometrics, if IRCC requests them.
Some applicants may receive additional visa-office instructions based on their country of residence or personal circumstances.
How To Apply For A Canada Study Permit
- Choose a DLI and obtain a valid letter of acceptance.
- Confirm whether a PAL, TAL or CAQ is required.
- Review the DLI and program’s PGWP eligibility if post-graduation work is important.
- Prepare financial evidence for tuition, living costs and travel.
- Complete the IRCC online questionnaire to receive a personalized checklist.
- Create or use an IRCC secure account and submit the application online.
- Pay the $150 study permit processing fee and any required biometrics fee.
- Give biometrics, complete a medical examination or provide additional documents if requested.
- Wait for the decision and follow the instructions for travel and permit issuance.
Applicants should generally apply before travelling to Canada and should allow time for biometrics, medical examinations and document requests.
Study Permit Fees And Processing
The federal study permit processing fee is $150 per applicant.
The biometrics fee is generally $85 per person, with a maximum family fee of $170 when eligible family members apply together.
Medical examinations, police certificates, language tests and visa application centre services may create additional costs.
Processing times vary by country and application type, so applicants should use IRCC’s processing-time tool rather than relying on a fixed general estimate.
Working While Studying In Canada
Eligible international students may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions.
Students may work unlimited hours during qualifying scheduled school breaks if they continue to meet the eligibility conditions. A scheduled break generally must be established by the school and last at least seven consecutive days. Additional limits can apply, including a maximum of 180 days of unlimited off-campus work in a calendar year and a 150-day limit for certain extended consecutive breaks.
Working more than the permitted limit can violate study permit conditions and may affect future immigration applications.
Students must remain enrolled as required, make progress toward completing their program and comply with their study permit conditions.
Students who take an unauthorized leave or stop studying may lose the right to work under their study permit conditions.
Family Members And Spousal Work Permits
A spouse or common-law partner may qualify for an open work permit only in certain situations.
Current rules generally cover spouses of students in master’s programs lasting at least 16 months, doctoral programs, listed professional degree programs and certain eligible programs.
Dependent children are not generally eligible for an open work permit under the international student family measure, although they may qualify for other immigration options.
Family members should review their own temporary residence and work authorization requirements before travelling to Canada.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Planning
Graduating from a DLI does not automatically qualify a student for a PGWP.
General requirements include completing an eligible program at a PGWP-eligible DLI, meeting the applicable full-time study requirements and applying within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion.
Most graduates must also provide language test results.
Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees generally need language ability at Canadian Language Benchmark 7 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien 7 in all four language areas.
Graduates of eligible college, polytechnic or other non-university programs generally need Canadian Language Benchmark 5 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien 5.
For study permit applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, many non-degree graduates must also complete an eligible field of study linked to occupations facing long-term shortages.
Students should verify PGWP eligibility before choosing a program because changing programs or attending a non-eligible program can affect post-graduation work options.
Maintaining Status And Extending A Study Permit
Students who need more time to complete their studies should apply to extend their Canada study permit before it expires.
Students changing post-secondary schools generally need to submit a study permit extension application with a new letter of acceptance and any required PAL or TAL before starting at the new DLI. The process can differ for students outside Canada, students changing programs and limited special situations.
Students must continue meeting the conditions printed on their permit, including restrictions on where they may study and whether they may work.
A student whose permit has expired may need to restore status before continuing studies or working, and may be required to leave Canada if restoration or another valid status is not available.
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused
Refusal risks can increase when an application has weak financial evidence, unexplained funds, an unclear study plan or inconsistencies between the applicant’s education history and proposed program.
Other concerns may include an incomplete application, an invalid or missing PAL or TAL, doubts about the applicant’s temporary intent, medical inadmissibility or criminal and security issues.
A strong application should be complete, internally consistent and supported by documents that explain the applicant’s academic and financial circumstances.
Canada Study Permit Checklist
- Confirm the school is a DLI.
- Confirm the program’s PGWP eligibility separately.
- Obtain the letter of acceptance.
- Check PAL, TAL and CAQ requirements.
- Prepare tuition, living-cost and transportation funds.
- Write a clear study plan.
- Collect identity, academic and civil-status documents.
- Submit the complete online application.
- Pay the required fees and complete biometrics.
- Monitor the application and respond to IRCC requests promptly.
Rules, financial thresholds and program requirements can change, so applicants should confirm the official IRCC and provincial or territorial instructions immediately before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money does one student need for a Canada study permit in 2026?
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, one student studying outside Quebec must show $23,448 for annual living expenses, excluding tuition and transportation. Quebec applicants must follow Quebec’s financial requirements for the CAQ.
Is a PAL or TAL required for every Canada study permit application?
No. Most applicants need a provincial or territorial attestation letter, but exemptions include eligible master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs, primary and secondary students, certain priority groups and some students extending at the same DLI and level.
Can international students work while studying in Canada?
Eligible students may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, provided they continue meeting their study permit conditions.
Does graduating from a Canadian DLI guarantee a PGWP?
No. The school and program must meet PGWP requirements, and graduates may need to satisfy language, field-of-study, program-length and full-time-study rules.
How much is the Canada study permit fee?
The study permit processing fee is $150 per applicant. Applicants who need biometrics generally pay an additional $85 per person, subject to the family maximum.
Fact-Checked: Checked against current IRCC study permit, financial support, PAL/TAL, DLI, work authorization and PGWP pages, including 2026 rules and thresholds, on September 27, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information and is not legal advice. Applicants should verify the current IRCC, Quebec and provincial or territorial requirements before applying.
