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Canada is one of the top choices among foreign students willing to migrate and study abroad. The Canadian education system ranks at the 4th position among the top education systems in the world. Pedagogy in Canada is focused on theoretical and practical aspects and the country is globally renowned for its research facilities and world-class infrastructure.
International students willing to study in Canada must apply for a Canada Study permit, which will allow them to study at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada. According to a recent announcement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada is to issue around 360,000 study permits in 2024. The Maple Leaf country provides several benefits to foreign students, which makes it an ideal study destination.
Canada has a well-structured student visa program allowing foreign students to pursue educational courses in the country. Students willing to apply for a Canadian study permit require a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). DLIs are schools approved by the territorial or provincial governments to host foreign students. This includes all primary and secondary schools in Canada.
Canada will be issuing 437,000 study permits to international students in 2025.
Province or territory | Total expected number of study permits to be issued to all PAL/TAL-required students | Kindergarten to grade 12 applicants (PAL/TAL-exempt) | All other PAL/TAL-exempt applicants |
Alberta | 32,660 | 72,200 | 48,524 |
British Columbia | 53,589 | ||
Manitoba | 10,021 | ||
New Brunswick | 6430 | ||
Newfoundland and Labrador | 4664 | ||
Northwest Territories | 220 | ||
Nova Scotia | 8297 | ||
Nunavut | 220 | ||
Ontario | 1,16,740 | ||
Prince Edward Island | 1250 | ||
Quebec | 72,977 | ||
Saskatchewan | 8869 | ||
Yukon | 339 | ||
Total | 3,162,76 | 72,200 | 48,524 |
Canada stands as one of the top global destinations for higher education, welcoming over one million international students and home to more than 30 QS-ranked universities. The type of study permit you require depends on your program’s duration, nature, and structure. Selecting the appropriate permit is essential for meeting Canadian immigration regulations while also opening opportunities to work, gain practical experience, and transition to permanent residency.
Category |
Post-graduate (Master’s / PG Diploma / Graduate Certificate) |
Language Programs (ESL / French) |
Co-op / Internship (as part of program) |
Short-term Study (≤6 months) |
Study Permit Requirement |
Yes (programs >6 months) |
Yes, if program >6 months |
Yes |
Usually no |
Additional Permit |
Possible co-op if required |
— |
Co-op work permit |
— |
Typical Use |
Advanced academic programs at DLIs |
English or French proficiency improvement |
Programs with compulsory work placements |
Exchanges, certificates, preparatory courses |
Canada offers several academic programs for students willing to pursue graduate or postgraduate courses. However, it is important to make an informed decision about the academic program that suits your profile and preferences.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right academic program in Canada:
It is extremely essential to choose the right study program while applying for a Canada study permit. Although Canada allows local students to change their study programs several times, this option is less viable for international students. Moreover, students need to convince the visa officer about their study program while migrating to Canada for study purposes. Therefore, choosing the program that aligns with your choices and interests will help increase your chances of getting your visa approved.
Before applying for a Canadian study permit, applicants must demonstrate that they meet specific requirements related to language proficiency, financial readiness, and supporting documentation. Meeting these criteria strengthens the application and ensures compliance with immigration regulations.
Language Proficiency
Financial Requirements
Acceptance and Documentation
Additional items, such as medical examinations or police certificates, may be required depending on the applicant’s country of residence or program type.
The following are the documents required to apply for the Canada study permit:
The other supporting documents that may be required include:
Applying for a Canadian study permit requires careful preparation and adherence to each stage of the process. Timelines may vary depending on the applicant’s country of residence, intake period, and individual circumstances. The steps below provide a structured overview of the application journey.
Step 1: Program Selection (1–3 weeks)
Identify a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that suits your academic goals and confirm whether the program qualifies for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.
Step 2: Secure Admission (2–8 weeks)
Submit applications to your chosen institutions, receive a Letter of Acceptance (LoA), and pay any required deposits to confirm your seat.
Step 3: Document Preparation (1–3 weeks)
Collect all required documents, including proof of funds, language test results, passport, LoA, and a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) if applicable.
Step 4: Application Submission (1–2 weeks)
Complete the online application forms, upload documents, and pay the government application fee as well as the biometrics fee if required.
Step 5: Biometrics and Medicals (1–2 weeks)
Book and attend biometrics and medical examinations where applicable, ensuring all results are submitted within the specified timeframe.
Step 6: Processing and Review (varies)
Allow time for your application to be reviewed by immigration officers. Be prepared to provide additional information or updated documents if requested.
Step 7: Decision and Passport Submission (1–2 weeks)
If your application is approved, submit your passport for visa stamping (if required) and receive your entry document or visa counterfoil.
Step 8: Travel and Arrival
Prepare for your move by arranging accommodation, insurance, and travel. Upon entry to Canada, present all required documents and receive your official study permit at the port of entry.
The Canada student visa application has to be made online using the official IRCC website. It is advised to submit complete application forms along with genuine and up-to-date documents to avoid delays in processing.
Applicants aged between 14 and 79 years have to provide biometrics along with their application. IRCC starts processing your application once they receive your biometric information.
The processing time depends on many factors, such as:
A decision is made on your application after it is reviewed by the IRCC. You will receive a letter informing you if your application is approved. In case your application is rejected, the IRCC will send you a letter informing you of the reasons for rejection.
If your application is approved:
The following are the documents you will receive if your Canada study permit application has been approved:
Students applying for a Canada Study Permit must demonstrate proof of sufficient financial resources. They must provide documents to prove that they can support themselves financially and must have sufficient means to pay the tuition fees for the first year.
The following documents can be used as proof of funds:
The requirement of funds depends on the number of accompanying members the applicant brings along with them. The table below lists the Amount of funds required for a Canadian study permit applicant:
Number of Members |
Total Amount required |
Single student |
Tuition fees plus $20,635 CAD for 12 months |
For one accompanying family member |
Tuition fees plus $25,690 CAD |
For two accompanying family members |
Tuition fees plus $31,583 CAD |
For three accompanying family members |
Tuition fees plus $38,346 CAD |
For four accompanying family members |
Tuition fees plus $43,492 CAD |
For five accompanying family members |
Tuition fees plus $49,051 CAD |
For six accompanying family members |
Tuition fees plus $54,611 CAD |
For more than six accompanying family members |
Tuition fees plus $5,559 CAD for each person |
Note: The financial requirements vary for students willing to relocate to Quebec to study.
The table below provides details of the requirement of funds for students migrating to Quebec:
Number of Members |
Total Amount required (in CAD) |
One accompanying family member under age 18 |
$7,541 |
One accompanying family member age 18 or older |
$15,078 |
Two accompanying family members age 18 or older |
$22,115 |
Two accompanying family members over age 18 and one member under age 18 |
$24,773 |
Two accompanying family members over age 18 and two members under age 18 |
$26,737 |
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a fast-track option that is designed to facilitate the process of applying for a Canadian study permit. Under the SDS, applications are processed as fast as under 20 business days. The program presently serves 14 countries including:
You would be eligible for the Student Direct Stream if you:
The table below lists the minimum language requirements to apply for the Student Direct Stream:
Type of language test |
Minimum Score Required |
IELTS Academic or General |
6.0 bands in each skill |
Test d’Evaluation de Francais (TEF) |
CLB 7 in each skill |
CELPIP General |
CLB 7 |
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) |
60 points |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic |
60 points |
Educational Testing Service (ETS) or TOEFL iBT Test |
83 points |
You can apply for the SDS online by following the steps listed below:
Step 1: Go through the instruction guide provided
Step 2: Arrange all the documents required
Step 3: Upload your biometric information
Step 4: Complete the biometric fee payment
Step 5: Select the country or territory you're applying from
Step 6: Submit the application online
Step 7: Wait for your application to be processed
Step 8: Fly to Canada
Note: If your application does not fulfill the SDS eligibility requirement, then it will be reviewed as a regular study permit, and faster processing times will therefore be inapplicable.
Foreign students coming to Canada on a study permit have a temporary status. They must follow certain conditions to maintain their status as a student in Canada.
Study permit holders in Canada must maintain the following conditions:
Some other conditions that you may need to follow include:
The IRCC might ask a student permit holder to prove that they are fulfilling the conditions necessary to maintain their status.
The following documents can be used to prove that you are meeting the conditions:
Certain students are exempted from the requirement to fulfill Canadian study permit conditions. Exempted students do not require proving that they are enrolled at a DLI or are actively pursuing studies if:
International students in Canada may have the opportunity to work while completing their studies, subject to specific eligibility requirements. Work options are divided into on-campus, off-campus, and co-op placements, each with its own conditions and permits.
On-Campus Work
Off-Campus Work
Co-op Work
Canadian study permit holders can work on-campus once they begin their course if they
Working on-campus means you can take up employment in any of the buildings present inside the campus of your educational institution. This may include:
Canadian study permit holders can work off-campus once they begin their course if they:
Note: You are not allowed to work off campus while you are on unauthorized leave from your studies or while changing your educational institution.
Working off-campus means you can work anywhere under any Canadian employer. Canadian study permit holders are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week.
While working off-campus, Canada study permit holders have to track their working hours and also maintain the study permit conditions. Working hours includes the time spent in earning wages or collecting commission including break timings taken during work.
A premier destination for overseas education, Canada welcomes thousands of international students each year. The country has some of the best universities of the world which makes it a study haven for international students. However, there are certain things to consider before you migrate to Canada as a foreign student.
Cost of living: The cost of living in Canada depends on the province or location you choose to settle in. Toronto is the most expensive city where the average cost of living for a single student is around CAD 2000 per month. Some of the affordable accommodation options for international students are in Montreal, Calgary, Laval and Sherbrook. The average cost of living in these cities ranges between CAD 500 to CAD 1500 per month.
Social life in Canada: With a considerable number of student population in the country, Canada has a very welcoming attitude towards students. The country offers numerous leisure activities catering to everyone’s tastes and interests. The educational institutions also offer a vibrant campus life.
Weather in Canada: Canada has cold weather most of the year. Summers are warm, but they last less than two months. The northern part of Canada has extremely low temperatures, while the southern part is comparatively warmer.
Widely spoken languages: French and English are the most widely spoken languages in Canada. Students willing to study there must be proficient in one of these two languages to be eligible for Canadian immigration.
Places to visit: Canada offers a range of tourist attractions, from Snow-peaked Mountains to the Canadian Rockies. The top 10 places to explore in Canada are:
Canada Study permit holders can bring their parents, spouses, and dependent children to the country. The family members can migrate to Canada on a Student Dependent Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) as applicable.
International students migrating to Canada for studies can include their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children on their study permit application. The spouse can later apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit to start working in Canada. Dependent children are also allowed to study in Canada.
According to recent data, over 200,000 foreign students choose Canada as their destination to complete their higher education. The country is home to some of the top-ranking universities of the world and offers alluring options to students willing to pursue postgraduate programs.
Canada offers different types of courses under the post-graduation study program. They are:
The following universities offer various postgraduate programs in Canada:
Students willing to take up employment in Canada after completing their PG courses can apply for a Post graduate Work Permit (PGWP) on eligibility. Canada offers PGWP to foreign students who graduate from a Canadian DLI.
PGWP holders are allowed to take up employment under any Canadian employer for as many hours as they wish. The validity of a PGWP ranges between eight months and three years. It offers an excellent pathway to acquire Canadian work experience and may lead to Canada Permanent Residency on eligibility.
Note: All Canadian study programs do not qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Canada offers international graduates the opportunity to gain valuable work experience through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This pathway not only facilitates entry into the Canadian job market but also strengthens eligibility for several permanent residency (PR) programs.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and Quebec Pathways
You would be eligible for a PGWP if:
You would be ineligible for a PGWP if you:
Note: If you are ineligible for PGWP, you can apply for a Canada work permit to work in Canada.
In addition to federal immigration programs, many Canadian provinces and territories offer tailored pathways for international students and graduates. These options align with local labour market needs and provide opportunities to transition from studies to permanent residency (PR). Below are examples of how different regions support international graduates.
Quebec
Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador)
Ontario
British Columbia
Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)
As the world's No. 1 visa and overseas immigration consultancy, Y-axis has been providing unbiased and personalized immigration consultancy for more than 25 years. Our team of visa and immigration experts are here to assist you with everything and help you make an informed decision before you embark on a journey of studying in Canada. Our impeccable services include: