How to Apply for a Canada Student Visa (Study Permit)

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Apply to a DLI: Apply and be accepted by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
2. Obtain your Letter of Acceptance (LOA): You will need this official letter to apply for your permit.
3. Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): Most international students now require a PAL from the province or territory where they plan to study (introduced in 2024).
4. Prepare your documents: Gather your passport, financial proof, LOA, and PAL.
5. Apply Online: Create an IRCC secure account and apply online. It is generally faster than applying on paper.
6. Give Biometrics: After applying, you will receive a biometrics instruction letter. You must give your fingerprints and photo at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
7. Wait for processing: Processing times vary greatly depending on your home country.

Required Documents Checklist

• Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) (if applicable for your province/level of study).
• Valid Passport or travel document for you and each accompanying family member.
• Proof of Financial Support to cover tuition and living expenses for the first year.
• Two recent passport-size photos with name and date of birth written on the back.
• Letter of Explanation explaining why you want to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as a student.
• A Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) if you are going to study in Quebec.

Financial Requirements (As of 2024)

You must prove you can support yourself and the family members who come with you while you are in Canada.

• Base Living Expenses: Outside Quebec, the financial requirement for a single student is $20,635 CAD for the first year (in addition to your first year of tuition).
• Family Members: If you bring dependents, you must show an additional $7,000 CAD for the first family member, and $3,500 CAD for each additional family member.
• Accepted Proof:
  • A Canadian bank account in your name.
  • A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.
  • Proof of a student/education loan.
  • Bank statements for the past 4 months.
  • A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars.
  • Proof of funding paid from within Canada (e.g., a scholarship or Canadian-funded program).

Sponsorship Guidelines

• While personal funds are preferred, parents or family members can sponsor your studies.
• If someone else is paying for your studies, they must provide a signed letter confirming their commitment to financially support you.
• Sponsors must provide their own strong financial evidence (bank statements, employment letters, tax returns) proving they have the liquid funds available without putting themselves in financial hardship.

Accompanying Family Members

• Who can come: You can include your spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children on your application.
• Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP): Spouses/partners of international students in master’s and doctoral programs are generally eligible for an open work permit. (Note: Eligibility for spouses of undergraduate students has been heavily restricted in 2024).
• Dependent Children: Minor children already in Canada with you can study at the pre-school, primary, or secondary level without their own study permit, but applying for one can simplify processes.
• Apply Together: It is highly recommended that you submit your dependents' applications for work or study permits at the exact same time as your study permit application.

Working While Studying

• Off-Campus Work: You may be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit for up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks.
• Eligibility: To work, your study permit must include a condition that says you can work on or off campus, and you must be enrolled full-time in an academic, professional, or vocational training program at a DLI that is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.