Canada
Student visa for Canada: documents, fees and steps
Study · 248 nationalities · any residence · ordinary passport
Verified on 13 October 2026
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Documents requested
Copy of the information page of a valid passport or travel documentConditions and details
Proof of identity requires, for the applicant and for each accompanying family member, a copy of a valid passport or travel document, uploaded with the online application; if the application is approved, you must then send the original passport to IRCC. A United States citizen has several options for proving their identity. A United States permanent resident travels with their green card (or equivalent official proof of their status) and a valid passport from their country of nationality.Two recent passport-format photos, with the name and date of birth written on the back of eachConditions and details
For proof of identity, IRCC also requires two recent passport-format photos for the applicant and for each accompanying family member; the person's name and date of birth are written on the back of each photo.Proof of sufficient funds for tuition fees, living expenses and round-trip transportation, for yourself and accompanying family membersConditions and details
Without working in Canada, you must prove that you have the money needed for the first year of studies and, for a program of more than one year, indicate how you will pay for the entire duration of studies (for example a scholarship of more than one year or the parents' employment). IRCC cites, without a complete list, examples of proof: receipt of payment for the first year of tuition and housing, bank student loan, proof of scholarship, pay stubs, letter from the person providing support with proof of their relationship and the amount, Canadian bank account, guaranteed investment certificate, bank statements for the last 6 months showing the origin of the funds. For first-year living expenses (excluding tuition and transportation), the amounts for an application submitted from September 1, 2026, outside Quebec, are CAD 23 448 for one person, CAD 29 192 for two, CAD 35 888 for three, CAD 43 572 for four, CAD 49 419 for five, CAD 55 736 for six, CAD 62 054 for seven, then CAD 6 318 per additional person. For Quebec, the amounts are those of the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration. If the country applies exchange controls, you must prove that you will be able to export the funds.Documents from the personalized list provided by the IRCC portal after the questionnaireConditions and details
Before uploading the forms, the applicant answers a few questions; IRCC then creates a personalized document list. You must provide all the documents listed there and submit a complete application: IRCC cannot finalize the permit without it, and documents sent later delay processing.
Depending on your situation
Letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI), unless an exemption applies, to be uploaded in the space providedConditions and details
The institution issues the letter of acceptance. It is always required, except for a family member of a person whose study permit or work permit application was approved in writing before arrival in Canada. For post-secondary studies, IRCC asks the institution to confirm that the letter is valid: if it does not respond before the deadline, the application is returned and the processing fees are refunded. You must therefore confirm with the institution that it will validate the letter before resubmitting the application. The letter is attached only in the space provided for this purpose: any other document placed there is shared with the institution, with the applicant's consent.Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), provided by the institution in most casesConditions and details
The PAL/TAL is a letter from the province or territory where you intend to study: it confirms that a place has been allocated to the applicant. It is required in most cases. IRCC lists exceptions (for example preschool, primary, secondary, master's or doctoral degree-leading programs at a public designated learning institution from January 1, 2026, exchanges with no tuition fees, Global Affairs Canada scholarships); in that case you must provide proof of this with the application. You request it from the institution, usually after accepting the offer and paying tuition fees in whole or in part. It is tied to the institution and must be valid at the time the application is submitted, not at the start of studies: issued in 2026, it is valid until December 31, 2026, unless an earlier expiry date is written on the letter. An expired PAL/TAL cannot be used; after an approved or refused application, or in the event of a change of institution, you must obtain a new one before resubmitting.Attestation of issuance of the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), to study in QuebecConditions and details
To study at an institution in Quebec, you need the attestation of issuance of the CAQ, issued by the Government of Quebec, instead of the PAL/TAL; you must ask the institution how to obtain it. Almost all students who want to study in Quebec must have one. The CAQ must be valid when IRCC receives the application and must include the statement indicating that the applicant has a place in Quebec's quota or is exempt from it. The same valid CAQ can be used to resubmit an application, except in the event of a change in level of study. If you change institution, it can be reused only if it was issued before December 6, 2024 and the level of study remains the same, or for a minor child in primary or secondary school whose CAQ is not tied to a specific institution. To obtain it, you must prove that you can cover the costs set by the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration.Immigration medical examination with a designated physician, if IRCC requires itConditions and details
A medical examination is to be expected if you plan to stay more than 6 months and you have lived or travelled for 6 consecutive months or more, in the year before arrival, in certain countries or territories, or if you want to work in a job where public health must be protected. For a stay of 6 months or less, it is generally required only for those jobs. It is done with a physician from the list of designated physicians, not with your own physician, preferably before the application (upfront examination). The fees are paid at the appointment and are not refunded if the application is refused. The results are valid for 12 months from the examination and must be valid on the day of entry to Canada.- Police certificate, if IRCC requests itIn some cases, IRCC requests a police certificate; it is better to request it as early as possible. The student must obey the law and have no criminal record.
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) given in person after the application is submittedConditions and details
IRCC collects biometrics for most applications; from 14 to 79 years of age, you generally must provide them. United States nationals are exempt from them for a temporary residence application, as are other persons, for example applicants over 79 years of age and children under 14 years of age. The fees are paid at the same time as the application, failing which processing may be delayed. You must provide the biometrics within 30 days of the date of the biometric instruction letter. They are given only once every 10 years to facilitate repeated travel.Proof of immigration status in the country of submission, if the applicant is not in their country of originConditions and details
When you are not in your country of origin, you may need to prove your immigration status in the country from which you are submitting the application. If the government that issued the passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit, you must obtain it before applying for a Canadian visa.Documents specific to the visa office of the country of submission, displayed by selecting the country on the application pageConditions and details
Depending on the country or territory from which you submit the application, the local visa office may require additional documents. They are displayed on the "How to apply" page: select "Outside Canada", then "Apply online", then your country or territory from the list.Expired Venezuelan passport: letter of explanation for the permitted extension or an exceptional situationConditions and details
For a Venezuelan passport issued before June 7, 2019, IRCC permits an extension of 5 years after the printed expiry date, up to a total validity of 10 years. If it expired less than 5 years ago, add 5 years to the printed date in the "Expiry date" field and attach a letter explaining this extension. Beyond the permitted period, the document is considered expired. A person in an exceptional situation who cannot obtain a new passport or another accepted document may attach a letter explaining their case; the officer assesses their eligibility. For a passport issued on June 7, 2019 or later, this extension does not apply: if it is expired, a new passport or another accepted document is required.Port of entry introduction letter after approval of an application made outside Canada, to be presented on arrivalConditions and details
If the application is made from outside Canada and approved, IRCC sends a port of entry introduction letter indicating that you are authorized to study in Canada. It does not take the place of a study permit: you must bring it and show it to the border services officer on arrival. It bears the permit reference number, which is used to issue it. For an eligible application submitted from Canada, IRCC sends the permit by mail to the Canadian address provided.Visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA), issued upon approval of the study application if necessaryConditions and details
When an eTA or a visitor visa is necessary, IRCC issues it automatically upon approval of the study permit application: there is no separate application and no additional fees. The eTA is tied to the passport used for the application and is valid for 5 years or until the passport expires if that occurs earlier: you must travel with that passport. The visa is placed in the passport and indicates whether you may enter once or multiple times; you must enter Canada before it expires.
Official fees
- Study permit application, processing fee 150 CAD
- Biometrics fee, per person 85 CAD
- Biometrics fee, family submitting at the same time (total cap) 170 CAD
Steps
- Choose a program at a designated learning institution (DLI) and obtain the letter of acceptance unless exempt; the institution validates it for post-secondary studies.
- Obtain the PAL/TAL if required, or the CAQ attestation for Quebec; check exemptions and include proof of the applicable exception.
- Gather the other documents: passport, two photos, proof of funds, recommended letter of explanation, and, if required, medical examination and police certificate.
- Submit the application online in the IRCC account: answer the questionnaire to obtain the personalized document checklist, then upload the documents.
- Pay the applicable fees at the end of the online application by credit or debit card: permit processing and biometrics if required, subject to exemptions.
- Provide fingerprints and photo upon receipt of the biometric instruction letter, within 30 days of the date of the letter.
- Respond to IRCC requests during processing: interview, missing information or documents, medical examination, police certificate.
- If the application is approved from abroad: receive the letter of introduction for the point of entry, with the eTA or visitor visa if necessary; the permit is not yet issued.
- Prepare for arrival: passport, letter of introduction, copy of the letter of acceptance, sufficient funds, valid medical examination results if one took place.
- On arrival, respond to the border services officer, who verifies identity and eligibility; the study permit is issued at the point of entry.
- During studies, follow the permit conditions and applicable exemptions: enrolment, progress, extension before expiry and departure when the permit expires.
Where to apply
- IRCC account and online portal to submit the study permit application, from outside or inside Canada
- Paper application, only in case of a disability preventing the online application or with an identity or travel document of a non-national resident, refugee or stateless person
- Designated learning institution and province or territory: letter of acceptance and PAL/TAL; government of Quebec for the CAQ
- Physician appearing on the list of designated physicians (panel physicians), for the immigration medical examination, preferably before the application
- Biometrics collection point indicated by IRCC, by appointment after receiving the instruction letter
- Canada Border Services Agency officer at a point of entry: control on arrival and issuance of the study permit
Good to know
- Letter of explanation: why study in Canada and understanding of the responsibilities of an international studentIRCC recommends attaching a letter explaining why you want to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as an international student in Canada.
Program of six months or less: no study permitConditions and details
A program of 6 months or less can be taken without a study permit. A worker holding a valid work permit may study for up to 6 months or until their permit expires, whichever comes first. The study permit exemption does not authorize work: an applicable work authorization is required. Other exceptions depend on the personal situation and are listed on the IRCC page. This list is intended for programs of more than six months. Its display from 181 days in VisaGuideline is a current limitation of the service, not an official conversion of six months; verify the exact program dates with IRCC.Submit the application before travelling, onlineConditions and details
As a general rule, the study permit application is submitted before coming to Canada, online. Some people may submit it from Canada, for example if they already have a study or work permit, or, in certain cases, on arrival at the port of entry: the page cites for this purpose United States citizens, United States permanent residents, residents of Greenland and those of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. Processing time varies by country.Validity of the PAL/TAL and change of institutionConditions and details
The PAL/TAL is tied to the institution and, in general, must be used in the year it was issued. Since January 22, 2025, a change of institution requires a new PAL/TAL before submitting a new application. Before arrival, changing institution after approval requires submitting a new application with a new letter of acceptance and paying all fees again.First-year funds and amounts updated each yearConditions and details
IRCC updates the living expense amounts each year. For an application submitted between January 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026, the amount outside Quebec for one person was CAD 22 895, compared with CAD 23 448 from September 1, 2026, excluding tuition and transportation fees. You must verify the table in effect on the date of submission.Validation of the letter of acceptance by the institutionConditions and details
For post-secondary studies, IRCC asks the institution to verify the validity of the letter of acceptance. If the institution does not respond before the deadline, IRCC returns the application and refunds the processing fees: it is better to confirm with the institution that it will validate the letter before reapplying.Deferring enrolmentConditions and details
To start later than planned at the institution that issued the letter of acceptance, the student has the deferral approved by the institution and obtains an updated letter of acceptance, which the student sends to IRCC through the online account or through the web form. After approval of the application, the student must also have a valid letter of introduction and present these documents at the point of entry.Arriving and working: dates and limitsConditions and details
No fixed period is imposed between arrival in Canada and the start of studies: it is enough to allow a reasonable amount of time for preparation. One cannot work, on campus or off campus, before having started one's studies in Canada.Working during studiesConditions and details
A student holding a study permit and enrolled full-time at a designated institution may sometimes work on campus or off campus: in that case, the permit includes a condition authorizing the student to work. The student cannot work during an authorized leave from studies, even if the permit allows it. Exception indicated by IRCC: if the institution temporarily closes because of a strike, the student already authorized to work on campus or off campus keeps this authorization for a maximum of 150 days.Study permit conditions and consequencesConditions and details
Unless an exemption applies, one must be enrolled at a designated institution and actively pursue studies full-time or part-time in each session, excluding regular holidays, while progressing in one's program. An extension of the permit is required to change post-secondary institution. One must stop studies if one no longer meets the student conditions and leave Canada upon expiry of the permit. An authorized leave cannot exceed 150 days. Some persons are exempt from proving enrolment or active pursuit of studies; the other conditions of their permit remain applicable. In case of non-compliance, IRCC may request that the person leave Canada and impose a wait of 6 months before a new application for a study permit, a visitor visa or a work permit in Canada.Post-graduation work permitConditions and details
After graduation, a post-graduation work permit may allow one to stay and work in Canada. Eligibility depends on several conditions, including the time when the study permit application is submitted: they must be verified before submitting and one must ensure that the chosen institution offers eligible programs.Frequent grounds for refusalConditions and details
IRCC may refuse the application if the letter of acceptance is not valid, if proof of sufficient funds is missing, if the required medical examination is not passed, if the officer is not convinced that the main purpose of the stay is to study or that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of studies. A letter explains the grounds for refusal.Temporary measures related to Ebola virus diseaseConditions and details
IRCC pages indicate temporary measures taken in response to Ebola virus disease, extended until 27 November 2026. Their content is not detailed here: consult the IRCC page dedicated to these measures before submitting the application.
Nationalities covered
This procedure applies to 248 nationalities.
- Afghanistan
- Åland Islands
- Albania
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antarctica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bouvet Island
- Brazil
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Cayman Islands
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French Southern Territories
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guernsey
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jersey
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Pitcairn Islands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Réunion
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Barthélemy
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Sint Maarten
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tokelau
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- U.S. Outlying Islands
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Western Sahara
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Official links
- Study permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Study permit: Get the right documents — Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter - Canada.caStudy permit: Get the right documents Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Study permit: Get the right documents - Proof of financial support - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Medical exams for visitors, students and workers - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Study permit: How to apply - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Study permit: After you apply - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Study permit: Who can study without a permit - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Study permit: Prepare for arrival - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Your conditions as a study permit holder in Canada - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Study permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Biometrics - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Study permit - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
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