Canada Study Permit

The study permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows foreign nationals to attend designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada.  

It is best to apply for a study permit prior to your trip. When you arrive in Canada, you’ll meet a border services officer who will make sure you have the port of entry letter of introduction sent by the visa office upon the study permit approval; this letter has your permit reference number, which is used to issue your study permit. 

There are a number of eligibility requirements that you need to meet to be eligible to come and study in Canada. To apply to your favoured Canadian institution, you must: 

• Be enrolled at a DLI 

• Show that you have the resources to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation for yourself and any family members who may come with you to Canada 

• Follow the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate (if required) 

• Be in good health and get a medical exam (if required) 

• Prove that you intend to depart Canada upon the expiration of your study permit 

If you want to apply for a Canadian study permit, you will need to obtain the following documents: 

• Proof of identity 

• Proof of acceptance 

• Proof of financial support 

• Provincial attestation letter from the province or territory where you plan to study 

You may also need: 

• A medical exam 

• A letter of explanation 

• A custodian declaration (minors only), or 

• Other documents 

While some people are eligible to submit a study permit application from within Canada or at the port, most international students are required to apply for a study permit before they arrive in Canada. So make sure that you are aware of the options available to you.  

Generally, you should follow the steps below to apply for a study permit in Canada:  Get your documents ready When applying, you should submit: 

• The letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution (DLI) you’ll be attending 

• A provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where you plan to study 

(You can upload your PAL to your application by uploading it into the "Provincial attestation letter" (required). If this option is not available, you have to upload your PAL to the Client information field. If you meet an exception, you must provide any evidence in the Client information field.) 

• As many of the documents needed for a complete application as possible 

(Your study permit won’t be finalised until you’ve submitted a complete application. Processing will be delayed if documentation is not submitted on time.)  Apply online Regardless of whether you are or are not currently in Canada, you must apply for a study permit online through the IRCC website.  You’re only eligible to apply on paper if you: 

• Have a disability that makes it difficult for you to apply online 

• Have a valid identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons 

After you apply for a Canadian study permit, you will need to book your biometrics collection appointment as soon as you can to avoid processing delays. The biometric collection fee is $85; for more information about fees, click here.  

The processing time is 15 weeks, and it doesn’t include the time you need to give biometrics. 

Typically, a study permit is valid for the duration of your study program plus an additional 90 days. The 90 days allow you to either: 

• Prepare to leave Canada, or 

• Apply to extend your stay 

Make sure you are aware of everything there is to know about applying for a Canadian study permit and you have all the necessary documents. If you need further assistance, you can always reach out to your IDP certified counsellor to answer all your questions. 

What is a letter of explanation? 

The letter of explanation is a letter that helps the visa officer understand you, your goals and further plans such as why you wish to study a certain program and why you wish to study at a certain institution. 

How to write a letter of explanation for a Canadian study permit? 

When writing a letter of explanation, you will have to state why you want to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as a student. 

How much is the Canadian study permit? 

The study permit fee (including extensions) - per person is $150.00.