Review your profile and programme
Compare entry requirements, the credential, course content, campus, duration and total costs with your academic background.
Canada study permit · Indian applicants
Your Canada
study permit.
A clearer next step.
Understand your letter of acceptance, PAL/TAL, funding documents and application preparation. Turn the Canada study permit process into a plan you can follow.
Selected sources reviewed October 18, 2026
The study permit process
A plan from course choice to arrival.
Start at the stage that matches your progress. Open each stage for the actions and preparation checkpoint.
01Course & DLIChoose your programme and verify the institution.
Confirm DLI and programme details
Check the institution and campus on the DLI list. If future PGWP eligibility is important, verify the exact programme and delivery arrangement separately.
Preparation checkpoint
Explore stage 2 What to have ready
Keep your course shortlist, campus details, entry requirements and budget together.
02Offer & acceptance letterReview your offer and letter of acceptance.
Apply and review your offer
Follow the school’s academic and language requirements. Check conditions, deposits, refund terms and deadlines before accepting.
Prepare your letter of acceptance
Review the school’s instructions for your LOA and its verification. Check the personal and programme details carefully.
Preparation checkpoint
Explore stage 3 What to have ready
Check your offer conditions, deposits, refund terms and the personal details on your LOA.
03Attestation & Quebec checksConfirm the letters or exemption evidence you need.
Confirm PAL/TAL or Quebec requirements
Determine whether a PAL/TAL or exemption evidence is needed. Contact the school about the process. Quebec applicants should also check the CAQ requirements.
Preparation checkpoint
Explore stage 4 What to have ready
Have the required attestation documents or exemption evidence ready. Check the separate Quebec process if applicable.
04Funding evidenceExplain how your study and living costs will be covered.
Organise your funding evidence
Show how tuition, living expenses and transportation will be covered. Use the applicable family-size requirement and document the funding source. Explain your plan for later years of a longer course.
Preparation checkpoint
Explore stage 5 What to have ready
Organise records of your funding source and available support, allowing for family size and later years of study.
05Application & requestsPrepare your file and follow additional instructions.
Submit the study permit application
Use the current application checklist for your category and location. Review forms and supporting records for accuracy and consistency.
Follow additional instructions
Complete biometrics, medical examination or additional-document requests where required, using the timing and instructions provided for your application.
Preparation checkpoint
Explore stage 6 What to have ready
Keep your application confirmation and respond to document, biometrics or medical instructions within the time provided.
06Decision & arrivalPlan your next steps around the official decision.
Prepare after your decision
Follow the approval and travel instructions, check your required entry documents and arrange housing and school reporting. Contact the institution about deferral if your start date is at risk.
Preparation checkpoint
Discuss my next steps What to have ready
Follow your approval and entry-document instructions. Confirm arrival arrangements with your school or discuss deferral if needed.
Some preparation happens in parallel. Follow the school’s sequence and your application instructions. Admission, a study permit and entry documents are separate parts of the journey.
Study permit document checklist
Prepare the file that fits your case.
Mark the items you have ready. Some documents depend on your province, application category and individual instructions.
0 of 8 marked ready
A preparation aid for the documents that apply to you. Follow your personalised application instructions. Your selections last while this page is open.
Proof of financial support
Keep funding and fees distinct.
Your funding plan needs to cover tuition, living costs and transportation. Government application fees are a separate expense.
Living expenses · outside Quebec
One applicant, one year
CAD $23,448Applications on or after September 1, 2026
Tuition and transportation are additional. Family-size requirements are higher. Quebec has separate requirements.
View the family-size funding table
| People, including applicant | Amount in CAD |
|---|---|
| One applicant (outside Quebec) | CAD $23,448 per year |
| 2 people | CAD $29,192 |
| 3 people | CAD $35,888 |
| 4 people | CAD $43,572 |
| 5 people | CAD $49,419 |
| 6 people | CAD $55,736 |
| 7 people | CAD $62,054 |
| Each additional person beyond 7 | CAD $6,318 |
| Quebec | Separate provincial financial requirements apply |
Source: IRCC proof of financial support. Check the amount applicable to your application date.
Explain the source of your support.
- Use genuine records of your funding source and available support. Follow the current financial-document instructions for your application.
- A GIC is one possible form of evidence. The Student Direct Stream ended on November 8, 2024.
A living-expense minimum is not a quote for your real housing and daily costs. Build a budget for your city and programme.
Published government fees
Study permit · per personCAD $150
Biometrics · individual, if requiredCAD $85
Confirm applicable fees and exemptions before paying. This is not a total quote for tuition, medicals, travel or other expenses. Reference: IRCC fee list.
The details that matter
Find the answer for your next decision.
Explore attestation, language evidence, family planning and post-study work requirements in the topics below.
PAL/TAL exemptions & Quebec CAQ
- Most applicants need a PAL/TAL unless they meet an exemption. Check the full criteria rather than relying only on your credential name.
- Degree-granting master’s and doctoral programmes at public DLIs are among the exemptions from January 1, 2026. Submit the required exemption evidence.
- Contact your school to find out how to obtain a required PAL/TAL and check its validity before applying.
- For Quebec, check the CAQ process, including the applicable exemptions and attestation wording.
Admission and a permit: who decides what?
Institution admission
- Academic percentages, GPA, and backlog policies
- English scores: IELTS Academic, TOEFL, PTE, or DET with program-specific minimums
- Program prerequisites, portfolios, or entrance assessments
- SOP, LORs, resume, transcripts, and deadlines
- Tuition deposits, deferral rules, and scholarship decisions
Study permit application
- Admission to a DLI and a verified Letter of Acceptance
- PAL/TAL unless exempt (master's/PhD at public DLIs exempt from January 1, 2026)
- Evidence of funding meeting the current applicable requirements
- Genuine student intent, clean background, and medical admissibility
- Biometrics and immigration medical examination
The institution decides admission; IRCC assesses your study permit application. Meeting an admission requirement does not replace a permit requirement.
Explore Canada admission requirementsEnglish and French language evidence
The institution sets the language evidence for admission. Check accepted tests and versions, required scores and any exemptions for your exact programme. Study permit and later PGWP requirements are separate checks.
Explore test preparationSponsors and education loans
- Document who will provide support, your relationship and the source and availability of funds.
- Follow the current financial-support and visa-office document instructions.
- Keep loan, award, tuition-payment and sponsor records consistent.
Explaining education gaps
- Explain your study and employment timeline honestly.
- Keep relevant supporting records consistent with your CV and application.
- A gap explanation does not guarantee admission or a permit.
DLI status & PGWP eligibility
- DLI status does not make every programme PGWP-eligible. Verify the exact course, campus and delivery arrangement.
- Meet the general eligibility requirements and those for your credential and application dates.
- Language evidence and, where applicable, field-of-study requirements are separate checks.
- A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree is exempt from the field-of-study requirement; other conditions still apply.
- PGWP duration is assessed under the applicable rules and is not a guaranteed job or route to permanent residence.
Work while studying and co-op placements
| Work while studying | Check your permit conditions and all eligibility requirements before working. |
|---|---|
| Off-campus and on-campus work | Different conditions can apply; verify the current rules for your situation. |
| Co-op or internships | Confirm the authorisation requirements for the placement and application date with the institution. |
| Changes to enrolment | Check how leave, part-time study or changes of programme affect work permission. |
Spouses, partners and children
- Accompanying family members may need their own applications and documents.
- A spouse’s work-permit eligibility is separate from your admission and study permit; check the current criteria for your category.
- Check schooling and permit requirements for each child’s circumstances.
- Use the applicable family-size funding requirement and budget for every accompanying person.
Processing delays and deferral planning
- Processing estimates and appointment availability can change; avoid promising a fixed decision date.
- Allow time for school documents and any required attestation, biometrics, medical or additional records.
- If your start date is at risk, contact the institution promptly about your options.
Consistency, decisions and refusals
- Provide truthful and consistent forms and records.
- Explain your programme choice and how it fits your academic background.
- Document the available funding and its source.
- Check required letters, exemptions and document validity.
- If refused, review the official reasons before deciding how to proceed. A new application does not guarantee approval.
Check your attestation category before applying
IRCC lists degree-granting master’s and doctoral programmes at public DLIs among the PAL/TAL exemptions from January 1, 2026. Other exemptions also exist. Confirm your category and submit any required evidence. Quebec has a separate CAQ process, including requirements for many students who do not need a PAL/TAL.
Reference: IRCC provincial or territorial attestation letter guidance.
Your questions, answered
Before you submit.
Common questions about preparing a Canada study permit application.
How much financial support is required outside Quebec?
For applications on or after September 1, 2026, the living-expense requirement for one applicant outside Quebec is CAD $23,448 per year, excluding tuition and transportation. Family-size amounts are higher. Quebec uses separate requirements.
Is a GIC mandatory?
A GIC is one possible funding document, not a universal requirement. The Student Direct Stream ended on November 8, 2024. Follow the current funding-document instructions for your application.
Do I need a PAL or TAL?
Most applicants need one unless an exemption applies. Degree-granting master’s and doctoral programmes at public DLIs are among the exemptions from January 1, 2026. Check your category and any Quebec requirements.
Does DLI status guarantee PGWP eligibility?
No. Verify the exact programme and delivery arrangement, then check the general, language and applicable field-of-study requirements for your credential and application dates.
Can my spouse or children accompany me?
Check the applications and documents each person needs. Work-permit and schooling eligibility depend on the family member’s circumstances. Budget for the correct family size.
How long will my study permit take?
Use current processing information for your application category and location. School documents, appointments and additional requests can affect your plan. Contact the school if your start date is at risk.
Do I need a medical examination?
Check whether a medical examination is required for your circumstances and follow the current instructions about timing and approved physicians.
What if my application is refused?
Review the official decision and the reasons provided. Consider what information or circumstances would need to change before another application. Reapplying does not guarantee a different decision.
Your profile. Your preparation.
Make the next step
a considered one.
Discuss your course, required letters, funding evidence and document preparation with Ratnas Overseas.
Selected sources reviewed October 18, 2026: IRCC study permit instructions, DLI information, PAL/TAL guidance, proof of financial support, PGWP eligibility and the government fee list. Confirm the requirements for your circumstances and application date.