Prepare Your Canada Study Permit Application

Step 1 – Letter of Acceptance

• Apply to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and receive your official Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
• Your LOA confirms important details about your studies, including your program and institution.
• You must upload the required LOA with your study permit application.
• Review your admission offer carefully, including tuition fees, enrolment conditions and the institution’s refund policies.
• Keep a copy of your LOA and other admission documents for your records.

For post-secondary applications, IRCC requires the institution to validate the LOA before the study permit application can be processed.

Step 2 – Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL)

• Most study permit applicants need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) before applying.
• Your designated learning institution will provide instructions on how to obtain the required attestation letter. In most cases, you need to accept your offer and pay tuition fees, either partly or fully, before receiving it.
• You must include your PAL/TAL with your study permit application unless you qualify for an exemption.
• From January 1, 2026, students applying for degree-granting master’s or doctoral programs at public DLIs are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement.
• Other exemptions also apply, so check the current IRCC requirements for your specific situation.

If you plan to study in Quebec, you may also need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).

Step 3 – Meet Your Institution’s Language Requirements

• Canadian institutions may require proof of English or French language proficiency as part of their admission requirements.
• The language test and minimum score required depend on your institution, program and language of instruction.
• Check your institution’s admission requirements to determine which language tests and scores are accepted.
• If you need a language test for another immigration or post-graduation pathway, check the current IRCC requirements separately, as requirements can differ from admission requirements.

Step 4 – Letter of Explanation

A strong letter of explanation can help provide context for your study permit application.

You should clearly explain:

• why you want to study in Canada
• why you chose your specific program and institution
• how the program relates to your previous education or career plans
• how studying in Canada will support your future goals
• your circumstances and relevant ties to your home country
• any other information that helps explain your application.

Your explanation should be truthful, consistent with your supporting documents and focused on your genuine study plans.

IRCC currently recommends a letter of explanation and states that applicants should explain why they want to study in Canada and that they understand their responsibilities as an international student.

Step 5 — Financial Support

You must demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself during your studies without relying on work in Canada.

Your financial planning should account for:

• tuition fees
• living expenses
• transportation to and from Canada
• living expenses for accompanying family members, if applicable.

For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, applicants outside Quebec must generally demonstrate CAD $22,895 for one person for the first year of living expenses, excluding tuition and transportation. The amount increases according to the number of accompanying family members and is updated annually.

You must also demonstrate how you plan to pay for the full duration of your studies if your program lasts longer than one year.

Actual living costs can be considerably higher depending on your city, accommodation and lifestyle, so plan your budget carefully.

 Step 6 — Health Insurance  

Health insurance arrangements for international students vary by province, territory and institution.

The Government of Canada does not generally pay the medical costs of foreign students. Your institution can explain whether you will be covered through a provincial health plan, an institution-sponsored plan or private insurance.

Before travelling to Canada:

• check the health-insurance requirements for your province or territory
• confirm your institution’s insurance requirements
• understand what your coverage includes and excludes
• arrange appropriate coverage for the period required by your institution or province.

Do not assume that all international students have the same health-insurance requirements across Canada.

Step 7 – Medical Examination Requirement

You may need to complete an immigration medical examination depending on your circumstances.

For example, a medical examination may be required based on:

• how long you plan to stay in Canada
• where you have recently lived or travelled
• the type of work you intend to do in Canada
• other requirements that apply to your application.

Check the current IRCC medical-examination requirements before arranging your examination.

Step 8 – Admissibility and Police Certificates

You must meet Canada’s admissibility requirements to receive a study permit.

As part of your application, you may need to provide information about your background and, depending on your circumstances, a police certificate.

IRCC may request additional documents during the application process. Check the document requirements that apply to your country or region before submitting your application.

Step 9 – Submit Your Study Permit Application

Study permit applications are generally submitted online through the official IRCC system.

Before submitting:

• review your personalized document checklist
• upload the required documents
• ensure all information is complete and accurate
• pay the applicable government fees
• provide biometrics if required.

You do not have to use a representative to apply for a study permit. If you choose paid immigration representation, the representative must be authorized under Canadian law.

Authorized paid representatives include:

• lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
• Quebec notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec
• citizenship or immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).

Educational agents may assist students with education-related services such as choosing and registering for courses. However, anyone providing paid immigration advice or representation must be authorized to do so.

Step 10 – Complete Biometrics, If Required

After submitting your application, IRCC may send you a biometrics instruction letter.

If you are required to provide biometrics:

• follow the instructions in your letter
• book an appointment at an official biometrics collection location
• provide your fingerprints and photograph within the required timeframe.

The current biometrics fee is CAD $85 per individual applicant, subject to applicable exemptions.

Step 11 – Prepare for Travel to Canada

Once your study permit application is approved, review the documents you need before travelling to Canada.

Carry the required travel and immigration documents with you and check the latest Government of Canada entry requirements before departure.

Remember that a study permit is not the same as a passport or entry visa/eTA. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a valid visa or electronic travel authorization to travel to Canada.

Check the latest IRCC instructions before you travel.

IRCC confirms that approved students may receive the relevant travel document, such as a visitor visa or eTA, depending on their circumstances.

Check the Latest IRCC Requirements

Canadian study permit requirements can change as immigration policies and program rules are updated.

Before submitting your application, always check the latest requirements published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including document requirements, financial thresholds, attestation requirements, fees and processing information.

For personalized immigration advice, ensure that any paid representative you use is authorized to provide immigration services in Canada.