A Canada study permit is the document international students need to study at a Canadian school for any program longer than six months. It is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and, in most cases, comes with a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorisation so you can enter the country. This 2026 guide explains who is eligible, the documents you need, current fees, how to apply, and what a Canada study permit lets you do once you arrive. Studying is one of the most popular Canadian visa routes into the country.
| Key Takeaways — Canada Study Permit | |
| Do you need one? | You need a Canada study permit for programs longer than 6 months; short courses may not require one. |
| Cost | The study permit costs CAD $150, plus CAD $85 for biometrics. |
| Key documents | A letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and, in most cases, a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL); master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt. |
| Proof of funds (2026) | Single applicants outside Quebec must show CAD $22,895 in living costs, on top of first-year tuition and travel. |
| Working while you study | You can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during classes, and full-time during scheduled breaks. |
| Bringing family | Since January 2025, a spouse qualifies for an open work permit only for master’s, doctoral or select professional students; dependent children no longer qualify. |
Table of Contents
What Is a Canada Study Permit?
A Canada study permit is not a visa on its own — it is the permit that authorises you to study in Canada, usually issued together with the visa or travel authorisation that lets you enter. You need a permit for any program that runs longer than six months. For short courses under six months you can often study on a visitor status instead. The permit stays valid for the length of your program plus, in most cases, an extra 90 days, giving you time to prepare to leave, extend your stay, or apply to work.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a study permit, you must have a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) — a school approved by a province or territory to host international students. You must prove you have enough money to pay tuition and living costs, that you will leave Canada when your studies end, and that you have no criminal record. You may also need a medical exam and a police certificate. Above all, you must satisfy an officer that you are a genuine student who intends to comply with the conditions of your permit.
Being accepted by a school does not guarantee approval. Officers weigh your ties to your home country, your study plan, and whether your finances are consistent and well documented. Applications to short, lower-cost programs at institutions with weak oversight face closer scrutiny, so a clear, honest study plan matters as much as meeting the basic checklist.
Documents You Need
Alongside your letter of acceptance, most applicants now need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) from the province or territory where they will study — proof that you have been assigned one of that region’s limited study spaces. Master’s and doctoral students at public institutions are exempt. If you plan to study in Quebec, you also need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). You must show proof of funds, a valid passport, passport photos, and a letter of explanation. The table below summarises the key figures for a study permit in 2026.
| Item | 2026 figure (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Study permit processing fee | CAD $150 per person |
| Biometrics | CAD $85 per person |
| Proof of funds (single, outside Quebec) | CAD $22,895 per year |
| Program length that requires a permit | Longer than 6 months |
| Off-campus work limit (classes in session) | 24 hours per week |
| PGWP application window after graduation | Within 180 days |
How to Apply for a Canada Study Permit
Most students apply for a Canada study permit online before travelling, through IRCC’s secure account. The usual steps are: accept your offer and pay tuition to obtain your PAL/TAL; gather your documents, including proof of funds and your passport; create an online account and complete the application; pay the processing and biometrics fees; and give your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre. IRCC may ask for a medical exam or police certificate. Apply early — processing times vary by country and by how complete your application is, and approvals have become more competitive under IRCC’s intake limits.
If you are approved, you will not receive the permit itself right away. IRCC issues a letter of introduction, and the physical permit is printed when you arrive in Canada and pass through a port of entry. Carry your letter of introduction, your passport, your letter of acceptance and your proof of funds in your hand luggage, because a border officer can ask to see them before issuing your permit.
Study Permit Fees
The study permit processing fee is CAD $150 per person. Most applicants also pay CAD $85 for biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). If you need a temporary resident visa to enter Canada, it is issued with your permit at no extra cost. Fees are set by IRCC and can change, so confirm the current amounts before you pay.
Working While You Study
A Canada study permit can let you work while you study. If you are a full-time student at a DLI and your program qualifies, you can work up to 24 hours per week off campus while classes are in session, and full-time during scheduled breaks such as summer or winter holidays. After you graduate, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Since November 2024, PGWP applicants must pass a language test — generally CLB 7 for degree graduates and CLB 5 for most college programs — and non-degree programs must appear on IRCC’s eligible field-of-study list.
Study Permit Conditions and Keeping Your Status
Your permit lists conditions you must follow to keep your status. You must stay enrolled and make reasonable progress toward completing your program, study at the institution named on your permit, and respect any work or travel limits printed on it. If you change schools, switch to part-time, or stop studying, you may need to apply for a change to your permit. Breaking these conditions — for example, working more than the permitted hours — can cost you your student status and affect future applications. If you want to keep studying beyond your permit’s expiry, apply to extend it at least 30 days before it runs out.
Bringing Your Family
A Canada study permit does not let you sponsor relatives for permanent residence, but your spouse or child may be able to join you on temporary status. Since 21 January 2025, a spouse qualifies for an open work permit only if you are enrolled in a master’s program of 16 months or longer, a doctoral program, or a select professional program; dependent children no longer qualify for a family open work permit. If you later settle in Canada and want relatives to join you permanently, see our guide to bringing family to Canada through family sponsorship.
A Canada study permit opens the door to a Canadian education and, for many students, to working during and after their studies. Rules on attestation letters, proof of funds and post-graduation work have tightened in recent years, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official IRCC pages before you apply for a Canada study permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions about the Canada study permit in 2026.
How much is a Canada study permit?
The processing fee is CAD $150 per person, plus about CAD $85 for biometrics. You must separately show proof of funds — CAD $22,895 in living costs for a single applicant outside Quebec in 2026, on top of tuition and travel.
Do I need a PAL to get a Canada study permit?
In most cases, yes. A Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter confirms you have one of the province’s study spaces. Master’s and doctoral students at public institutions are exempt, and Quebec uses a CAQ instead.
How long does a study permit take to process?
Processing times vary by country and by how complete your application is. Apply well before your program starts, as approvals have become more competitive under IRCC’s intake caps.
Can I work on a Canada study permit?
Yes. Eligible full-time students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus while classes are in session, and full-time during scheduled breaks. A post-graduation work permit may be available after you graduate.
Can I bring my family while I study?
A spouse may accompany you and, since January 2025, can get an open work permit only if you study in a master’s (16 months+), doctoral or select professional program. Dependent children are no longer eligible for a family open work permit.
Also See
More About Canada Immigration and Jobs