Study in Canada

Overview

A study permit allows eligible international students to study in Canada. Your school, program, finances and study plan should tell a consistent story, supported by the documents requested for your application.

Who it is for

International students and families planning an eligible course of study in Canada.

Eligibility

Check the designated learning institution, the study permit requirements and whether a provincial or territorial attestation letter applies to your situation.

Build the study plan around a real course decision

Start with the institution, programme, admission conditions and proposed start date. Check the school's designated learning institution details and ensure the letter of acceptance matches the course you intend to attend. Explain the connection between the course, your previous education or experience and your future plans using your own facts. A generic statement copied from another student is unlikely to explain your circumstances well.

Keep the admission process and the immigration application distinct. A tuition receipt or an offer of admission does not guarantee a study permit. Review refund, deferral and withdrawal terms directly with the institution before making a payment. If an education agent is involved, clarify which organization receives the money and obtain receipts.

Check PAL/TAL and Quebec requirements before submission

Depending on the applicant and programme, a provincial or territorial attestation letter may be required. Exemptions and allocation rules can change. Use the current official instructions for your situation rather than an older checklist circulating on social media. Confirm the institution's process for obtaining any required letter and check all names, dates and details before filing.

Quebec has a separate provincial process and financial-capacity rules. A Quebec acceptance document does not replace the federal study-permit decision. Our funds calculator separates Quebec from other provinces and refuses to calculate when it has no verified table for the selected application date. Budget additional costs that apply to your circumstances instead of treating a minimum as a complete spending plan.

Show where the funds come from and what they cover

Prepare a funding schedule that separates first-year tuition, living expenses and transportation, then identifies the evidence supporting each source. If a parent or another person is paying, explain the relationship, the support offered and the source of that person's funds. For a loan, retain the approval and disbursement conditions. For savings, reconcile balances and explain material deposits with genuine supporting records.

The official minimum can change with the application date and family size. Enter accompanying family members accurately and check the personalized document checklist. Avoid presenting the same funds twice through different accounts or describing borrowed money as accumulated personal savings. Documents should make the funding arrangement understandable without speculative claims about approval.

After submission and before travel

Monitor the account and the email address used for the application for biometrics, medical or document requests. Keep a copy of what was submitted, the submission confirmation and every response. If a course start date changes, use the appropriate official process to provide updated information where required and coordinate the deferral with the institution.

Before travel, read the approval instructions and check the passport and travel document details. An approval letter and the actual study permit serve different purposes. Confirm the conditions of the permit when it is issued. We provide study-application preparation support; paid work-permit and post-graduation work-permit filing are outside our services.

Documents to prepare

A starting point for your preparation. Your personal document requirements depend on the current official instructions and your circumstances.

• Passport and identity documents
• School acceptance records
• PAL or TAL where required
• Tuition and financial evidence
• Study plan and supporting background records

Fees, clearly separated

Government fees are separate from our professional fees. Medical examinations, biometrics, insurance, translations and other third-party costs may apply. Confirm the current government fee with IRCC and request a written service scope before paying.

Processing time

Processing times are estimates, not guarantees. Select your application type and country in Processing Times, or check directly with IRCC. A published estimate does not predict the decision date for your file.

Your application steps

1. Confirm your school and course.
2. Review the current permit and attestation requirements.
3. Prepare your finances and study explanation.
4. Submit through the official route.
5. Follow instructions before travelling.

After you apply

Keep a copy of your submission, check the official account used to apply, and follow any request from IRCC. Respond by the deadline in your letter. Our preparation progress is separate from official IRCC application status.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming all programs at a school have the same immigration consequences
• Unclear source of study funds
• A study plan that leaves key academic choices unexplained

Understanding a refusal

Read the decision alongside your study plan, academic record and financial evidence. Identify what a new submission can substantively clarify.

Questions, made clear

Official sources & review

• Study permit documents
• Financial support
• Quebec study costs