How to Apply for a Study Permit in Canada: Step-by-Step
To apply for a Canadian study permit, you generally need to obtain admission from a designated learning institution, get a PAL or TAL if required, prepare your supporting documents and financial evidence, submit the application online, pay the required fees and complete biometrics or a medical examination when required. Most applicants must apply before coming to Canada.
How Do You Apply for a Study Permit in Canada?
Most foreign nationals who want to study in Canada must obtain a study permit . In most cases, the application should be submitted before travelling to Canada.
The process begins before the immigration application itself. You normally need admission from a Canadian designated learning institution and, where required, a provincial or territorial attestation letter before you can submit a complete study permit application.
IRCC generally requires study permit applications to be submitted online. Paper applications are available only in limited circumstances, including where a disability prevents online application or where the applicant holds certain identity or travel documents for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons.
Check eligibility → obtain DLI admission → obtain a PAL/TAL if required → prepare documents and proof of funds → submit the application → pay fees → complete biometrics and medical requirements if applicable → respond to IRCC requests → receive a decision.
Step 1: Check Whether You Qualify for a Study Permit
Before applying to IRCC, determine whether you need a study permit and whether you can meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
A study permit applicant generally needs acceptance from a designated learning institution, sufficient and available financial resources and must satisfy the applicable temporary residence, medical and admissibility requirements.
The officer must also be satisfied that the applicant will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay.
Admission to a Canadian school does not by itself guarantee that a study permit will be issued. Immigration eligibility is assessed separately from academic admission.
For a detailed explanation, see Canada Study Permit Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
Step 2: Choose a Designated Learning Institution
Before applying for a study permit, you generally need to choose a school that is a designated learning institution, commonly called a DLI.
A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.
Applicants should verify the institution directly against IRCC's DLI list rather than assuming that every Canadian college, university or private school can support a study permit application.
DLI status and PGWP eligibility are different
A school being a DLI does not automatically mean that every program at that institution qualifies a graduate for a post-graduation work permit. Applicants who expect to pursue a PGWP after graduation should separately verify the current PGWP requirements before selecting a program.
Learn more in Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) in Canada .
Step 3: Get Your Letter of Acceptance
Once the school accepts you, it will issue a letter of acceptance, or LOA. You normally upload the LOA as part of the study permit application.
The letter should accurately identify the institution and program and should be consistent with the information entered in the immigration application.
IRCC verifies post-secondary acceptance
For post-secondary study permit applications, IRCC requires the DLI to verify the applicant's acceptance. The institution must respond to the verification request within the applicable deadline.
IRCC currently gives the institution 10 calendar days to complete the verification. If the institution does not verify the document on time, the application can be returned and the processing fee refunded.
Make sure the LOA is genuine and that your school is prepared to verify it with IRCC. Post-secondary LOA verification is now part of the study permit process.
Step 4: Get a PAL or TAL if Required
Many study permit applicants must submit a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter with their application.
The process for obtaining the document varies by province or territory and may involve the applicant's DLI.
Where a PAL or TAL is required, it should normally be obtained before submitting the study permit application.
Who may be exempt?
The PAL/TAL requirement contains several exemptions. For example, students applying to preschool, primary or secondary school may be exempt.
Starting January 1, 2026, students entering degree-granting master's or doctoral programs at public DLIs are also exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement.
Applicants relying on an exemption should provide the evidence required by IRCC to establish that the exemption applies.
Step 5: Prepare Your Study Permit Documents
The exact document package depends on the applicant's circumstances, country of residence, program and application location.
Common documents can include:
- a valid passport or travel document;
- the letter of acceptance;
- a PAL or TAL, if required;
- proof of financial support;
- photographs or digital identity documents where required;
- evidence explaining the proposed studies;
- academic and employment records where relevant;
- medical examination information where required;
- police certificates where requested; and
- documents required by the applicable visa office instructions.
Applicants should use the personalized document checklist generated through the online application and review any applicable local visa office instructions.
The next article in this series provides the complete Study Permit Documents Checklist .
Step 6: Prepare Proof of Financial Support
A study permit applicant must demonstrate sufficient and available financial resources without relying on employment in Canada.
The financial evidence must address tuition, living expenses and transportation costs for the applicant and, where applicable, accompanying family members.
Current living-expense requirement
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, the current minimum first-year living-expense amount for one person outside Quebec is CAN$23,448.
This amount does not include tuition or transportation.
| Cost | What must be considered |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Tuition for the applicable period of study |
| Living expenses | Applicant plus accompanying family members |
| Transportation | Travel to and from Canada |
For programs longer than one year, IRCC requires evidence of financial resources for the first year and also assesses how the applicant plans to finance the remainder of the program.
The source and genuine availability of the funds are important. A bank balance should therefore be understood as evidence rather than as an automatic approval threshold.
Step 7: Complete and Submit the Application Online
IRCC currently requires study permit applications to be submitted online unless the applicant falls within a limited paper-application exception.
The online system asks questions about the applicant's circumstances and creates a personalized document checklist.
Depending on the application route, applicants may use an IRCC online account and complete the forms and document uploads required for their circumstances.
Applicants applying from outside Canada may be required to complete the Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada, IMM 1294. IRCC updated the current IMM 1294 form in June 2026.
Review the application before submission
Names, passport information, education history, employment history, previous immigration applications, family information and the proposed course of study should be reviewed for accuracy and consistency before submission.
Do not leave a material inconsistency unexplained simply because the online system does not provide a dedicated question for it. Where an explanation is necessary, use the appropriate supporting-document or client information field.
Step 8: Pay the Study Permit and Biometrics Fees
The current study permit processing fee is CAN$150 per person.
If biometrics are required, the current individual biometrics fee is CAN$85. The maximum biometrics fee for an eligible family of two or more people applying at the same time is CAN$170.
| Fee | Current amount |
|---|---|
| Study permit | CAN$150 |
| Biometrics — individual | CAN$85 |
| Biometrics — eligible family | Maximum CAN$170 |
Medical examinations, police certificates, translations, language testing and services provided by a visa application centre can involve separate third-party costs.
Step 9: Give Your Biometrics if Required
Depending on nationality, age, previous biometrics and other circumstances, an applicant may need to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
Where biometrics are required, IRCC normally sends a biometric instruction letter after the application and applicable biometrics fee have been submitted.
The applicant then follows the instructions in the letter and attends an official biometrics collection location.
Paying the biometrics fee when submitting the application can help avoid unnecessary processing delays.
Step 10: Complete a Medical Exam if Required
Not every study permit applicant needs an immigration medical examination.
The requirement depends on factors such as the applicant's circumstances, residence history and the activities they intend to undertake in Canada.
If an immigration medical examination is required, it must be performed by a physician authorized by IRCC as a panel physician. An applicant's regular doctor cannot perform the immigration medical examination unless that doctor is an approved panel physician.
IRCC currently permits study permit applicants to complete an upfront medical examination where appropriate.
Step 11: Monitor the Application After Submission
Submitting the application does not necessarily end the applicant's responsibilities.
IRCC may request additional documents, an immigration medical examination, biometrics, an interview or other information required to assess the application.
Applicants should monitor their IRCC account and email carefully and respond to requests within the deadline provided.
Keep important information current
Material changes that occur while the application is being processed may need to be reported to IRCC. Examples can include changes to contact information, passport details, family circumstances or other information relevant to the application.
Processing time varies by application location and circumstances. Applicants should use IRCC's current processing-time tool rather than relying on a fixed number published in an older article.
What Happens When IRCC Makes a Decision?
The result depends in part on whether the application was made from outside or inside Canada.
If an outside-Canada application is approved
IRCC sends the applicant a port of entry letter of introduction. This letter confirms the approval but is not the study permit itself.
The applicant presents the required documents when travelling to Canada. The actual study permit is normally issued at the port of entry after the border services officer completes the examination.
If the applicant requires a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization, IRCC normally issues the required travel document or authorization as part of the study permit process. A separate application and separate fee are generally not required for that purpose.
If an inside-Canada application is approved
For an applicant who was eligible to apply from within Canada, IRCC sends an approval letter through the online account and mails the study permit to the Canadian address provided.
If the application is refused
IRCC sends a refusal letter. The appropriate next step depends on the reasons for refusal, the evidence submitted, whether an error may have occurred and whether the applicant can address the concerns in a new application.
If Approved: Prepare to Enter Canada
Approval of an outside-Canada study permit application does not itself constitute admission to Canada.
When the student arrives, a border services officer examines whether the person remains eligible to enter Canada and whether the circumstances continue to support issuance of the study permit.
Students should travel with the documents relevant to their approval, including their passport or travel document, port of entry letter of introduction and supporting documents that may be required at examination.
When the study permit is issued, review the name, institution information, expiry date and conditions before leaving the port of entry. If something appears incorrect, raise it with the officer immediately.
Can You Apply for a Study Permit From Inside Canada?
Only certain foreign nationals are eligible to make an initial study permit application from inside Canada.
Current IRCC instructions include specified categories such as certain valid study or work permit holders, some family members of permit holders, certain minor students, exchange or visiting students, certain temporary resident permit holders, refugee claimants and other categories provided by the Regulations.
Being in Canada as a visitor does not, by itself, create eligibility to apply for a study permit from inside Canada.
Applicants should determine whether they fall within an authorized inside-Canada category before selecting that application route.
Can You Apply for a Study Permit at a Port of Entry?
Most foreign nationals cannot simply travel to a Canadian border and make an initial study permit application there.
The Regulations permit port-of-entry applications only for specified categories. Current IRCC instructions include U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents and certain residents of Greenland and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
A person who is not eligible for a port-of-entry application must follow the applicable outside-Canada process.
Common Study Permit Application Mistakes
A technically uploaded application is not necessarily a well-prepared application. Common problems include incomplete documents, inconsistent information and evidence that does not adequately address the legal requirements.
Applying with the wrong or missing PAL/TAL
Applicants should confirm whether the requirement applies before submission and, if relying on an exemption, provide appropriate evidence of that exemption.
Treating the financial minimum as the entire test
The minimum living-expense amount does not include tuition or transportation. IRCC also assesses the source and availability of funds and how a longer program will be financed.
Inconsistencies between forms and evidence
Dates and facts relating to education, employment, travel, immigration history and family circumstances should be internally consistent. Material discrepancies should be addressed rather than ignored.
Using generic explanations
A study plan or letter of explanation should not merely repeat generic statements about Canada. Where an explanation is useful, it should address the applicant's actual program, background, circumstances and any issues that require context.
Assuming an LOA guarantees approval
The DLI decides whether to admit a student. IRCC separately decides whether the applicant meets the immigration requirements for a study permit.
Study Permit Application FAQs
Do I need to apply online?
Generally, yes. IRCC currently requires study permit applications to be submitted online. Paper applications are available only in limited circumstances.
Should I apply before coming to Canada?
Generally, yes. Most applicants must apply for their study permit before travelling to Canada. Only specified categories may apply from within Canada or at a port of entry.
How much is the study permit fee?
The current study permit processing fee is CAN$150 per person. Biometrics, where required, are currently CAN$85 for an individual applicant.
Do I need a PAL or TAL before applying?
If the PAL/TAL requirement applies to you, you generally need the document when submitting the study permit application. Several exemption categories apply.
Can I apply before receiving my LOA?
A letter of acceptance is generally required for a study permit application. Post-secondary acceptance is also subject to verification by the DLI.
How much money do I need?
The required amount depends on tuition, family size, location and transportation costs. For applications made on or after September 1, 2026, one applicant studying outside Quebec currently needs at least CAN$23,448 for first-year living expenses, in addition to tuition and transportation.
Does paying tuition guarantee approval?
No. Tuition payment can form part of the financial evidence, but IRCC must still be satisfied that all applicable study permit requirements are met.
Is the approval letter my study permit?
For an outside-Canada application, no. The port of entry letter of introduction confirms approval but is not the physical study permit. The study permit is normally issued when the applicant arrives in Canada and completes the port-of-entry examination.
What should I review next?
Before submitting an application, review the Study Permit Documents Checklist and Proof of Funds for a Canada Study Permit .
Study permit procedures, required documents, PAL/TAL exemptions, fees and application instructions can change. Confirm the current requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before submitting an application.
How to Apply for a Study Permit — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada