Study Permit in Canada

A Study Permit is a written authorization to engage in academic, professional, vocational or other education or training in Canada that is issued by an officer to a foreign national. This authorization allows foreign nationals to study in Canada at Designated Learning Institutions.

How to apply for a Study Permit?

Step 1: Apply and get accepted for study at a Designated Learning Institution 

Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is generally a post-secondary learning institution that is designated by the province for the purposes of the IRPR on the basis that the institution meets provincial requirements in respect of the delivery of education. Be careful to check to see whether your school is a DLI and whether the specific program of studies that you want to take is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP-eligible).

Step 2: Get a Letter of Acceptance and a Provincial Attestation Letter

Students can establish acceptance to a Course or a Program by showing IRCC officers the Letter of Acceptance from the DLI that they will be attending. Most Study Permit applicants also must provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL).

    • full name, date of birth and mailing address of the student;

    • name of the institution and official contact;

    • DLI number;

    • telephone, fax, website and email information for the institution;

    • type of school or institution (e.g., private or public and, in cases where the institution is publicly funded but not a university, indication as to whether the institution is a post-secondary college, a post-secondary community college or a post-secondary technical college);

    • the field or program of study, level and year of study into which the student was accepted;

    • the estimated duration or date of completion of the course;

    • date on which the selected course of study begins;

    • the last date on which a student may register for a selected course;

    • the academic year of study that the student will be entering;

    • whether the course or program of study is full-time or part-time;

    • the tuition fee;

    • scholarships and other financial aid (if applicable);

    • an expiry date indicating the date until which the letter of acceptance is valid;

    • any conditions related to the acceptance or registration, such as academic prerequisites, completion of a previous degree, proof of language competence, etc.;

    • clear identification of the educational institution, normally confirmed through its letterhead;

    • for study in Quebec, the requirement of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ); and

    • where applicable, licensing information for private institutions normally confirmed through letterhead.

  • You’re applying to study at a

    • preschool

    • primary school (including kindergarten)

    • secondary school (up to grade 12)

    • school participating in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) and you have a letter of acceptance from this school identifying you as an applicant under the FMCSP

    • federally designated military college or

    • school in Quebec in a vocational training program that leads to one of the following:

      • a diploma of vocational studies (DVS)

      • an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS)

      • a skills training certificate (STC)

    • You’re an exchange student studying under an exchange arrangement between your home institution and a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, and you don’t pay tuition fees to the DLI. 

    • You’ve received a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada.

    • You’re in Canada or entering Canada at a port of entry and are eligible for an exemption from certain study permit requirements based on a public policy as part of a migration response to a crisis or other pressure.

    • You’re exempt from certain study permit requirements under the temporary measures to reunite families of Indigenous people separated by Canada’s border.

    • You’ve entered Canada and one of the following situations applies to you:

      • You’re applying for a study permit extension at the same DLI andlevel of study as your current study permit.

      • You’re under a removal order, but can’t be removed from Canada at this time.

      • You have a temporary resident permit valid for at least 6 months. 

      • You’re a protected person.

      • You’re eligible for permanent residence

Step 3: Apply for a Study Permit

To apply for a Canada Study Permit, you must complete the required study permit application forms and gather supporting documents. Beyond the standard Canada study permit document checklist, it is essential to review country-specific requirements and Visa Office instructions before submitting your application.

Applicants bear the responsibility of demonstrating to the immigration officer that they intend to return to their home country upon completing their studies (temporary intent). They must also articulate why they want to study in Canada, explain whether they have considered alternatives in their home country, and establish a clear connection between their chosen program, their previous education, and their future career plans. Additionally, applicants must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources to cover tuition, books, and living expenses in Canada.

A well-structured and persuasive Letter of Intent plays a crucial role in a Canada study permit application. Although it is not always explicitly listed in the study permit document checklist, this document is often the most critical component of a strong application. A compelling Letter of Intent for a Canadian study permit can effectively address key concerns and increase the chances of approval.

How hard is it to get a Study Permit?

The likelihood of getting your Study Permit application to Canada approved depends on many factors. Unfortunately, it is hard to give a definite answer on whether a Study Permit will be approved or rejected without knowing all relevant and unique circumstances of the applicant. That is why it is highly recommended that you take educate yourself about the general application process, do a solid research of the potential Designated Learning Institutions and programs, and reach out for help from an immigration lawyer.

While overall the Study Permit application process might seems more or less straightforward, there are many reasons why your application may get refused:

  • Misrepresentation

  • You cannot show that you have sufficient finances to afford your Canadian studies

  • No logical connection between your prior education/ career and the program you are seeking in Canada

  • Your English or French language skills are low

  • Your marks were low in your last program of studies

  • You have siblings or family already in Canada

  • You want to bring your spouse and/or kids with you to Canada

  • You have submitted an Express Entry profile or submitted another PR application to Canada

  • You have a history of prior SP or TRV refusals

  • Long gap between your last period of studies and now

How long does it take to get a Study Permit?

Wondering when should you apply for a Study Permit? Well, we recommend applying for your Study Permit at least 5 months before your anticipated start date. Ideally, you should apply for your Study Permit in Canada as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance (and PAL, if applicable) from your Designated Learning Institute (DLI).

What if the Study Permit is not approved in time?

If your Study Permit isn't approved in time for your intake, you will need to defer your course to a later intake. Be careful to review your school's policy regarding your tuition deposit and other fees to ensure that you don't lose your money.

DLI's usually have multiple intakes in the year, although this really will depend on your school and the course you will be taking. The different intakes to plan for are Winter (January), Spring/Summer (May), and Fall (September). Your DLI might be able to provide you with the relevant deferral deadline for your course and the alternative intakes. If you are worried your Study Permit might not be approved in time, you should speak to your DLI early on about these options to understand the relevant deadlines and plan accordingly.

If you defer your application, you must obtain a new Letter of Acceptance from your DLI and provide a copy to IRCC, letting them know about your new course start date as soon as possible. You may also need to obtain a new Provincial Attestation Letter if you defer your studies (check the expiry date on your PAL letter). 

Alternatively, if you decide you no longer want to pursue your studies, you can instead choose to withdraw from your course, however you should also speak to your DLI early on about this option, so you understand the process and deadlines for you to be entitled to a refund of any applicable tuition fees you have paid upfront. If you choose to withdraw from your course, you should also withdraw your study permit application, which you can also do by submitting a Webform request to IRCC.

Have you already been rejected a study permit in Canada or abroad?

A previous refusal increases the chances of rejection. In some cases, you may want to reapply and try to overcome the reasons for refusal. For example, if you were refused for failing to demonstrate that you would leave Canada, can you provide more evidence of your ties to your country of origin? If there is a mistake in fact or law, you may want to consider a reconsideration or a judicial review.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You probably still have many questions about Canada Study Permit application. We’ve got some answers for you here:

  • A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) serves as proof that a student has been included in a provincial or territorial allocation of study permits under the national cap. It is required for certain international students applying for a study permit in Canada.

  • Most students applying for bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs at Canadian institutions will require a PAL, unless they qualify for an exemption as outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

  • Your institution will typically request a PAL from the provincial or territorial government on your behalf after you have accepted an offer of admission and paid any required tuition deposit. Once your PAL is issued, you will receive instructions on how to access it along with your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for your study permit application.

  • PALs have an expiry date, so it is important to check its validity. Your PAL is not tied to a specific program or intake, meaning you may still use it to apply for your study permit as long as it remains valid, even if you defer your admission to a later semester or switch programs.

  • Your PAL only needs to be valid when it is submitted with your study permit application to IRCC.

  • A PAL does not guarantee that your study permit will be approved. It simply confirms that you have been allocated a study space within the issuing province. To obtain a study permit, you must meet all IRCC eligibility and financial requirements.

  • If your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) is from an institution in a specific province, you must ensure that your PAL is issued by the same province. A PAL from a different province cannot be used for a study permit application linked to an institution in another jurisdiction.