By Nasir Khan, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB # R1053580), PrimeRoute Immigration Consulting Inc. Reviewed against IRCC information in October 2026.
Short answer: Most international students need a study permit to study in Canada for more than six months. In general you apply online, before you travel, with a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (unless you are exempt), and proof that you can pay for your stay.
Who needs a study permit
A study permit allows a foreign national to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. It is not a visa on its own, but when you need an eTA or a visitor visa to travel, IRCC issues it automatically with an approved permit. Short courses of six months or less may not need a permit, though you should confirm this with IRCC before you rely on it, because a mistake here is costly.
What you need before you apply
- A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution. Check that the school and the program are on IRCC's list of designated learning institutions, and that the school is approved for international students.
- A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL). IRCC requires this for most applicants. Some groups are exempt, so check whether you are one of them before you apply, and note that the school or the province issues the letter, not IRCC.
- Proof of funds. You must show that you can cover your living costs, your tuition and your travel to and from Canada. IRCC raised the living-cost amount for applications received on or after September 1, 2026; for a single applicant outside Quebec the published figure is $23,448, on top of tuition and travel. Longer programs require an explanation of how you will pay for the remaining years. Confirm the current amount on the IRCC website before you prepare your bank documents.
- Identity and travel documents, including a valid passport.
- A clear explanation of your plans, usually in a study plan or letter of explanation, showing why this program, why Canada and why now.
- Medical exams, police certificates and language test results where they are required for your country or program.
How to apply
Applications are generally made online, whether you are outside Canada or applying from inside Canada if you are eligible. Paper applications are allowed only in limited cases, such as a disability that prevents applying online. After you submit, you pay the processing fee and the biometrics fee. IRCC then sends a biometrics instruction letter, and you have 30 days from the date on that letter to give fingerprints and a photo. Processing starts after biometrics are received.
Processing times vary by country and over time, so use the processing times tool on the IRCC website rather than a number from a blog. Do not buy a non-refundable flight or pay a full year of tuition until you understand the risk of a refusal.
Common reasons for refusal
- Doubt that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay. Officers look at your ties to your home country, your travel history and whether the plan makes sense.
- A study plan that does not fit your background. A big change in field or a program that is lower than your previous education needs a convincing explanation.
- Funds that are unclear. Large recent deposits with no history, or documents that do not add up, raise questions.
- Missing or inconsistent documents. An incomplete application delays finalization and can lead to a refusal.
- Misrepresentation. False or altered documents can lead to a refusal and a ban from applying for several years.
If a study permit is refused, you will receive a letter with the reasons. Do not reapply with the same documents. Review the reasons first, because a second refusal on the same weakness makes the next application harder.
Working during and after your studies
Many students are allowed to work off campus during their studies, but there are limits and conditions, and these depend on the type of program and what your permit says. After graduation, eligibility for a post-graduation work permit depends on the program and the institution you attend, so check this before you choose a school if staying to work matters to you. Your study permit conditions also matter if you later plan to apply for permanent residence.
When a consultant can help
You can apply yourself. A consultation helps most when you have a prior refusal, a gap in your studies, a change of field, a complicated funding source, or you are not sure whether your program leads to a work permit. A licensed consultant can review your documents and explain your options, but cannot promise that a permit will be approved.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a study permit for a short course?
Possibly not, if the course is six months or shorter and you will complete it within the time you are allowed to stay as a visitor. Confirm with IRCC before you decide, because the rules have exceptions.
What is a provincial attestation letter?
A letter from the province or territory confirming that you are included in its allocation of study permit applications. Most applicants need one, and some groups are exempt. Your school or the province provides it.
How much money do I need to show?
It depends on your family size, your tuition and your travel costs. IRCC publishes the living-cost amount, which went up for applications received on or after September 1, 2026. Check the current figure before you prepare your documents.
Can I apply from inside Canada?
Only in certain cases, for example if you already hold a valid study or work permit, or if you are a family member of a permit holder. IRCC has a tool to check whether you are eligible.
How long does it take?
It varies by country and application type. Use IRCC's processing times tool, and treat any fixed number from a third party with caution.
Can you guarantee approval?
No. Study permits are decided by IRCC. We can help you present your case clearly and completely.
Related: read about study permit extensions, the post-graduation work permit, Express Entry and refusals and procedural fairness letters, see all Canadian immigration services, or learn how we work.
Planning to study in Canada?
Book a 30-minute online consultation with Nasir Khan, RCIC-IRB # R1053580. You will get an honest look at your options, including when you are not yet eligible.
This page is general information, not legal or individual immigration advice. Immigration decisions are made by government authorities such as IRCC, and no consultant can guarantee a result. Rules, fees and processing times change, so confirm current requirements on the official IRCC website before you act.