{"about":"Student visa facts for Canada, as read on official pages. Each statement names its source and the day it was checked. Information, not legal advice; the visa authority decides.","publisher":"ForiForeign","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/ca/student-visa","destination":{"code":"CA","name":"Canada"},"visa":"Study permit","authority":"Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)","official_portal":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html","last_checked":"2026-10-06","facts":[{"key":"admission_document","label":"The admission document you need first","text":"Letter of acceptance plus, in most cases, a PAL/TAL from the school (CAQ for Quebec); public-DLI master's/doctoral students exempt from PAL/TAL since 1 January 2026.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"documents","label":"Documents the official page lists","text":"","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15","list":["Letter of acceptance","Valid passport or travel document with copy of information page","2 recent passport-size photos","Proof of funds","PAL/TAL (most applicants) or CAQ for Quebec","Letter explaining study plans (recommended)","Medical exam if required","Police certificate if requested","Custodian documents for minors","Country-specific visa office documents"]},{"key":"funds","label":"Money you must show","text":"Outside Quebec, applications from 1 September 2026: CAN$23,448/year for 1 person, CAN$29,192 for 2, excluding tuition and transport. Quebec sets its own amounts.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15","amount":23448,"currency":"CAD","period":"per year"},{"key":"tuition_evidence","label":"Proof of tuition","text":"Usually you must accept the offer and pay tuition in part or full to get a PAL/TAL; tuition is additional to the living-funds amount.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"application_fee","label":"What the application costs","text":"Study permit processing fee CAN$150, paid online; biometrics fee is extra.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15","amount":150,"currency":"CAD"},{"key":"health","label":"Health insurance","text":"No health insurance requirement is stated on the IRCC study permit pages checked.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"language","label":"Language","text":"No language test requirement is stated in the IRCC study permit guide; any requirement is set by the school.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5269-applying-study-permit-outside-canada.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"where_to_apply","label":"Where you apply","text":"Study permit applications must be made online, except for applicants with a disability or certain special travel documents.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15","mode":"online"},{"key":"biometrics","label":"Fingerprints and photo","text":"Fingerprints and photo required, fee CAN$85 per person, valid 10 years; give them within 30 days of the instruction letter.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"processing_time","label":"How long the decision takes","text":"Varies by country; the IRCC tool shows current estimates based on inventory and staffing.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"tb_or_medical","label":"Medical examination","text":"Medical exam needed if staying over 6 months and you lived in or visited a designated country for 6+ months in the prior year.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-temporary-residents.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"police_certificate","label":"Police certificate","text":"Not routinely required; you may be asked for a police clearance certificate.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5269-applying-study-permit-outside-canada.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"translation","label":"Translations","text":"Documents not in English or French need an English or French translation plus an affidavit from the translator.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5269-applying-study-permit-outside-canada.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"legalisation","label":"Legalisation of documents","text":"No apostille or legalisation requirement is stated on the study permit pages checked.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"work_rights","label":"Working while you study","text":"Off-campus work up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, if eligible.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-off-campus.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"dependants","label":"Family members","text":"Spouse/partner open work permit only if the student is in a master's of 16+ months, a doctoral program or listed professional degree programs.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/help-your-spouse-common-law-partner-work-canada.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"on_arrival","label":"After you arrive","text":"Present the letter of introduction (and visitor visa if applicable) at the port of entry, where the officer issues the study permit.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5269-applying-study-permit-outside-canada.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"fees":[{"kind":"government_fee","label":"Visa fee (government)","amount":150,"currency":"CAD","period":null,"up_to":false,"text":"Study permit processing fee CAN$150, paid online; biometrics fee is extra.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"kind":"biometric_fee","label":"Biometrics fee","amount":85,"currency":"CAD","period":null,"up_to":false,"text":"Fingerprints and photo required, fee CAN$85 per person, valid 10 years; give them within 30 days of the instruction letter.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"how_to_apply":[{"key":"how_application","label":"How the application is lodged","text":"A study permit must be applied for online through an IRCC account, which is also used to pay fees, submit the application and check its status. Most applicants aged 14 to 79 also give biometrics within 30 days of the letter.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html","checked_at":"2026-10-06","portal_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html","portal_name":"IRCC secure account (online account)"},{"key":"how_payment","label":"How the fee is paid","text":"The processing fee and, in most cases, the biometrics fee are paid online in your account at the end of the application, when you submit it. Third-party fees such as a medical exam are paid directly to that third party.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_interview","label":"Interview","text":"An interview is not a standard step, but while processing the application IRCC may ask you to attend an interview with its officials in your country.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/after-apply-next-steps.html","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_tracking","label":"Following your application","text":"Study permit applicants follow their application in the IRCC application status tracker, which needs your unique client identifier (UCI). Your IRCC secure account also shows the status and any letters.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/after-apply-next-steps.html","checked_at":"2026-10-06","tracking_url":"https://ircc-tracker-suivi.apps.cic.gc.ca/en"},{"key":"how_processing_time","label":"Processing time, as the application page states it","text":"The current time for a study permit from outside Canada is shown only in the official processing times tool after you choose the application type; it is an estimate of how long a new application received today would take.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_decision_and_passport","label":"The decision and your passport","text":"If approved, you get a letter of approval in your online account and a port of entry letter of introduction. If you need a visitor visa, it is placed in your passport; otherwise an eTA is linked to your passport.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/after-apply-next-steps.html","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_additional_documents","label":"If more documents are asked for","text":"IRCC checks the application for missing documents. If it is incomplete, it may return it unprocessed or ask for the missing documents, which you send through your online account or the IRCC web form.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/after-apply-next-steps.html","checked_at":"2026-10-06"}],"steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Get a letter of acceptance","detail":"Obtain a letter of acceptance from your school (designated learning institution).","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html"},{"n":2,"title":"Get a PAL/TAL","detail":"Most applicants need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (Quebec: CAQ). Master's or doctoral programs at a public DLI are exempt from 1 January 2026.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html"},{"n":3,"title":"Prove your funds","detail":"For applications from 1 September 2026, show CAN$23,448 a year for one person, excluding tuition and transport, e.g. 6 months of bank statements.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html"},{"n":4,"title":"Medical exam if required","detail":"If a medical exam applies to you, get it from a panel physician before you apply.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-temporary-residents.html"},{"n":5,"title":"Apply online and pay","detail":"Submit the application online and pay the CAN$150 study permit fee plus biometrics fee.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html"},{"n":6,"title":"Give biometrics","detail":"Give fingerprints and photo within 30 days of the biometrics instruction letter (once every 10 years).","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html"},{"n":7,"title":"Wait for processing","detail":"Processing time varies by country; check the IRCC processing times tool.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html"},{"n":8,"title":"Travel with letter of introduction","detail":"If approved you receive a letter of introduction (not the permit itself); show it, and any visitor visa, at the port of entry.","source_url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5269-applying-study-permit-outside-canada.html"}],"not_stated_on_the_official_pages":[],"applicant_country_pages":[{"country":"PK","name":"Pakistan","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/ca/student-visa/from/pakistan"}]}