International students must obtain a Canadian study permit How to Apply for a Canada Study Permit: 2026 Guide to enroll in any program lasting more than six months. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues it, and it typically includes an electronic travel authorization or temporary resident visa so you can enter the country. This 2026 guide details who qualifies, what paperwork is required, the current costs, how to apply, and what you can do after arriving in Canada with a study visa. One of the most common ways to obtain a Canadian visa is to study.
A Canada Study Permit: What Is It?
A Canada study permit, which is typically granted in conjunction with the visa or travel authorisation that permits entry, is what allows you to study in Canada; it is not a visa in and of itself. Any programme that lasts longer than six months requires a permission. You can frequently study on a guest status for short courses lasting less than six months. The permit is valid for the duration of your programme plus, typically, an additional ninety days to allow you to plan your departure, extend your stay, or apply for employment.
Qualifications
A letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), a school authorised by a province or territory to admit overseas students, is required in order to be eligible for a study permit. You must demonstrate that you have no criminal past, that you have enough money to cover living expenses and tuition, and that you plan to leave Canada after your studies are over. A police certificate and a medical examination might also be required. Above all, you have to convince an officer that you are a legitimate student who plans to abide by the terms of your permit.Acceptance by a school does not imply acceptance. Officers consider your study plan, your ties to your native country, and the consistency and documentation of your income. A clear, honest study plan is just as important as completing the minimum checklist because applications to shorter, less expensive programmes at institutions with less governance are scrutinised more closely.
Documents You Require
The majority of applicants now require a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) from the province or territory where they will study in addition to their letter of acceptance. This document serves as verification that you have been given one of the few study spots available in that area. Students pursuing master’s and doctorate degrees at public universities are exempt. A Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) is also required if you intend to study in Quebec. A valid passport, passport pictures, proof of finances, and an explanation letter are required. The relevant numbers for a study permit in 2026 are summarised in the table below.
How to Apply for a Study Permit in Canada
Before departing, the majority of students use IRCC’s protected account to apply online for a study permit in Canada. To receive your PAL/TAL, you typically need to: accept your offer and pay the tuition; gather your documents, such as your passport and proof of funding; register an online account and finish the application; pay the processing and biometrics costs; and provide your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre. IRCC may request a police certificate or a medical examination. Apply as soon as possible because the IRCC’s intake limits have made approvals more competitive and processing periods vary by nation and application completeness. The permit itself won’t be issued to you immediately if you are accepted. The physical permit is printed when you enter Canada and go via a port of entry, and the IRCC issues a letter of introduction. Before issuing your permission, a border officer may request to examine your passport, letter of introduction, letter of acceptance, and proof of cash, so keep these in your hand luggage.
Fees for Study Permits
Each participant must pay CAD $150 to process their study permit. Additionally, the majority of candidates pay CAD $85 for biometrics, which include a photo and fingerprints. A temporary resident visa is provided with your permission at no additional cost if you require one in order to visit Canada. Verify the current fees before making a payment because the IRCC sets them and they are subject to change.
Putting in Work While Studying
You can work while you study in Canada if you have a study permit. You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus while courses are in session and full-time during planned breaks like summer or winter holidays if you are a full-time student at a DLI and your programme is eligible. You might qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) following graduation. As of November 2024, non-degree programmes must be listed on IRCC’s acceptable field-of-study list, and PGWP applicants must pass a language test, typically CLB 5 for most college programmes and CLB 7 for degree graduates.
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Conditions of a Study Permit and Maintaining Your Status
You must abide by the terms specified in your permission in order to maintain your status. You must adhere to any work or travel restrictions stated on your permit, remain enrolled, make fair progress towards finishing your programme, and attend the school listed on it. You might need to apply for a permit modification if you quit studying, change schools, or go part-time. You risk losing your student status and having your future applications impacted if you violate certain rules, such as working more hours than is allowed. Apply for an extension at least 30 days before your permit expires if you wish to continue your studies after that date.
Bringing Your Family
You cannot sponsor family members for permanent residency with a Canada study permit, but your spouse or child might be able to join you temporarily. As of 21 January 2025, a spouse is only eligible for an open work permit if they are enrolled in a doctoral programme, a master’s programme lasting 16 months or more, or a specific professional programme; dependent children are no longer eligible for a family open work permit. See our guide on bringing family to Canada through family sponsorship if you eventually relocate to Canada and wish to bring family members with you permanently.A Canada study permit makes it possible for many students to work both during and after their studies in addition to receiving an education in Canada. Before applying for a Canada study permit, always check the most recent requirements on the official IRCC pages because regulations on attestation letters, proof of funding, and post-graduation job have become more stringent in recent years.
Common Questions
These are frequently asked questions concerning the 2026 study permit for Canada.
What is the cost of a study permit in Canada?
Each participant must pay a processing cost of CAD $150, plus an additional CAD $85 for biometrics. In addition to tuition and travel expenses, a single applicant outside of Quebec will need to provide proof of finances totalling CAD $22,895 in 2026.
Can I obtain a study permit in Canada without a PAL?
Yes, most of the time. You can verify that you have a study space in the province by obtaining a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter. In Quebec, a CAQ is used instead, and master’s and doctorate students at public universities are exempt.
How much time does it take to process a study permit?
The length of time it takes to process an application varies depending on the country and level of completion. Because IRCC’s admission restrictions have made approvals more competitive, apply well in advance of the start of your programme.
Can I work while I have a study permit in Canada?
Indeed. While classes are in session, eligible full-time students are permitted to work up to 24 hours per week off campus and full-time during planned breaks. After graduation, you can be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
Is it possible for me to study with my family?
As of January 2025, a spouse is only eligible for an open work permit if they are enrolled in a master’s (16 months or more), doctorate, or specific professional programme. A family open work permit is no longer available for dependent children.
