Canada Study Permit (Student Visa) — Complete Guide

A Canadian study permit is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and authorizes you to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). It is not a visa on its own — most students also receive a temporary resident visa (visa sticker) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to actually enter Canada.

You generally need a study permit for any program longer than six months. Short courses under six months may not require one, but it can still be wise to apply so you can extend or work later without leaving the country.

To apply you typically need: a Letter of Acceptance from a DLI; proof you can pay tuition plus living costs and return travel; a valid passport; and evidence that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. Many applicants also provide a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) where one is required.

Some applicants must also complete a medical exam and provide police certificates. Requirements vary by your country of residence and your specific situation, so confirm your checklist before you submit.

You must show you can support yourself and any accompanying family members. IRCC updates the required amounts periodically, and they differ for Quebec. Rather than relying on an out-of-date figure, use our Proof of Funds Calculator and have an expert confirm the current threshold for your situation.

Most students apply online through an IRCC account. After submitting, you may need to give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a Visa Application Centre. Processing times vary widely by country and season, so apply as early as you have your Letter of Acceptance.

If approved, you receive a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction; the actual study permit is printed when you arrive in Canada. Keep your DLI enrolment active — your permit's conditions require you to remain enrolled and make progress in your program.