Study Permits
Study in Canada
Canada offers internationally recognized education through universities, colleges and other designated learning institutions. Most foreign nationals need a study permit before beginning a program of study in Canada.
A study permit is not a visa. Depending on your nationality, you may also require a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization to enter Canada.
Who Can Apply for a Study Permit?
To qualify, you generally must:
- Have a valid letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution
- Demonstrate sufficient financial resources
- Satisfy the immigration officer that you will respect the conditions of your stay
- Show that you will leave Canada when your authorized stay ends
- Be law-abiding and provide a police certificate if requested
- Complete an immigration medical examination if required
- Submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter unless an exemption applies
Studying in Quebec normally requires a Quebec Acceptance Certificate instead of a provincial or territorial attestation letter.
Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter
Most study-permit applicants must include a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter with their application.
The letter confirms that the province or territory has allocated a study space to the applicant. Students normally obtain it through their designated learning institution after accepting an offer of admission.
Certain applicants are exempt. Exemptions can include students attending primary or secondary school and students entering an eligible master’s or doctoral degree program at a public designated learning institution. Every applicant should confirm the rules applying to their program before submitting an application.
Proof of Financial Support
Applicants must show that they can pay for:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses for themselves and accompanying family members
- Transportation to and from Canada
Applicants must demonstrate that the required funds are available without depending on employment in Canada.
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a single applicant studying outside Quebec must show at least CAD $23,448 for first-year living expenses, excluding tuition and transportation. Higher amounts apply when family members accompany the student. These figures are updated periodically.
For a program lasting longer than one year, the applicant should also explain how the remaining years of study will be financed.
Supporting Documents
A study-permit application may require:
- A valid passport or travel document
- A letter of acceptance
- A provincial or territorial attestation letter, if required
- Proof of tuition payment and available funds
- Bank statements and evidence showing the source of funds
- A letter explaining the purpose of the proposed studies
- Evidence of academic history and qualifications
- Proof of current immigration status, where applicable
- Biometrics
- A medical examination or police certificate, when requested
- Documents required by the responsible visa office
The required evidence depends on the applicant’s circumstances and country of residence.
Choosing a School and Program
Receiving admission does not guarantee approval of a study permit. The proposed program should be reasonable considering the applicant’s education, employment history and future plans.
Students who hope to work in Canada after graduation should confirm before enrolling that:
- The institution is a designated learning institution
- The specific program is eligible for a post-graduation work permit
- The program meets any applicable field-of-study requirement
- They can satisfy the applicable language requirement after graduation
Not every program offered by a designated learning institution qualifies for a post-graduation work permit.
Working While Studying
Eligible international students may work off campus without a separate work permit if all applicable conditions are met.
Eligible students may normally work:
- Up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions
- Full-time during scheduled academic breaks
Students cannot begin working before their study program starts. Unauthorized work or working more hours than permitted may affect current status and future immigration applications.
Post-Graduation Work Permits
Some graduates may qualify for a post-graduation work permit after completing an eligible program at an eligible institution.
General requirements can include:
- Completing an eligible program of at least eight months
- Maintaining full-time student status, subject to limited exceptions
- Applying within 180 days after receiving confirmation that the program was completed
- Meeting the applicable language requirement
- Completing an eligible field of study where that requirement applies
Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs are not subject to the post-graduation work permit field-of-study requirement, although language and other requirements still apply.
A post-graduation work permit is not automatic, and eligibility rules should be reviewed before selecting a school or program.
Study Permit Extensions and Changing Schools
Students must maintain valid immigration status and continue meeting the conditions of their study permit.
A student who needs additional time should apply to extend the study permit before it expires. Post-secondary students who want to change designated learning institutions must follow the current IRCC process and may need approval before beginning studies at the new institution.
How We Can Help
Anyday Immigration can assist with:
- Reviewing study-permit eligibility
- Assessing the proposed school and program
- Reviewing post-graduation work permit considerations
- Preparing document checklists
- Reviewing proof of funds and the source of funds
- Preparing study-plan and purpose-of-study submissions
- Applications for accompanying family members
- Study-permit extensions
- Responses to requests for additional documents
- Reviewing previous refusals and preparing a new application
Start Your Study Permit Assessment
Every application is assessed individually. Admission to a Canadian institution does not guarantee approval of a study permit.
Contact Anyday Immigration for an assessment of your proposed studies and application requirements.
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Immigration programs and requirements can change. This information is general and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility and available options must be assessed according to the rules in effect when an application is submitted.