Understanding the Study Permit
A study permit is not a visa, it's a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Most international students also need a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization to enter Canada; we guide you through both requirements simultaneously.
Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs)
Not all Canadian schools can accept international students. You must receive an acceptance letter from a DLI, an institution approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. Each Canadian province and territory maintains its own list of approved institutions.
Important: Before applying for a study permit, confirm your chosen school appears on the official DLI list. We verify this during our initial consultation to ensure your investment in education meets IRCC requirements.
Core Application Requirements
1. Letter of Acceptance
Your acceptance letter from a DLI serves as the cornerstone of your application. This letter must include:
- Your full name and date of birth
- The institution's name and DLI number
- Program name and duration
- Program start and end dates
- Tuition fees and payment deadline
- Conditions of acceptance (if any)
2. Provincial Attestation Letter
Since January 2024, Canada caps the number of new international students. Most study permit applications must include a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL), which confirms that your place counts within the province's allocation for the year. In Quebec, the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies serves as the attestation letter. Primary and secondary school students and a few other categories are exempt. Without the letter, the application is returned.
3. Proof of Financial Support
Demonstrating sufficient funds is critical. You must prove you can cover:
- Tuition fees for your first year
- Living expenses: $23,448 per year for a single applicant outside Quebec (applications filed on or after September 1, 2026), plus set amounts for each accompanying family member. In Quebec, the amount is set by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration: $24,617 for one person aged 18 or over in 2026.
- Return transportation for yourself and accompanying family members
Acceptable proof includes bank statements, guaranteed investment certificates, proof of paid tuition and accommodation, scholarship letters, or financial support letters from parents or sponsors.
4. Letter of Explanation
This personal statement is your opportunity to convince immigration officers of your genuine intentions. Address these key points:
- Why you chose this specific program and institution
- How this education aligns with your career goals
- Your ties to your home country
- Your plans after graduation
- Any gaps in your education or employment history
Our team helps craft compelling letters that authentically present your story while addressing potential concerns immigration officers might have.
5. Language Proficiency
While not always mandatory, demonstrating language proficiency strengthens your application significantly. Most programs require IELTS or CELPIP scores for English, or TEF for French. Even if your chosen institution doesn't require test scores, submitting them can bolster your application.
Additional Requirements for Specific Situations
Depending on your circumstances and country of origin, additional documents may be necessary:
- Medical Examination: Required if you will study for more than six months and have lived or stayed six months or more in a designated country during the year before coming to Canada, or if you will work in a job where public health must be protected
- Police Certificates: May be requested depending on your country of residence and travel history
- Custodianship Declaration: Mandatory for children under 17 who study in Canada without a parent or legal guardian; for 17-year-olds, at the officer's discretion
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ): Required before applying for a study permit if studying in Quebec; it also serves as the provincial attestation letter
Work Opportunities While Studying
Many study permit holders can work while pursuing their education, providing valuable Canadian work experience and financial support.
On-Campus Employment
You can work on campus without a work permit if you are a full-time post-secondary student at a public post-secondary institution, at a Quebec private college-level institution that follows the same rules as public ones and receives at least half of its funding from government grants, or at a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial law to grant degrees (for the degree program only). Your study permit must carry the condition that allows work.
Off-Campus Employment
Since November 8, 2024, eligible full-time students may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks. Your study permit must state that you may work off campus, and you must be enrolled full time at a DLI in a post-secondary program of at least six months that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
After Graduation: Post-Graduation Work Permit
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets graduates of eligible programs work for any employer after their studies, and the Canadian experience gained counts toward Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class. The permit is not automatic: you must apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed your program, and meet every condition in force on that date.
- Length: programs of less than 8 months are not eligible. From 8 months to under 2 years, the permit matches the length of the program. Programs of 2 years or more, and master's programs of at least 8 months, give a 3-year permit.
- Language: since November 1, 2024, you must prove CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French for university programs (bachelor's, master's, doctorate), or level 5 for college and other programs.
- Field of study: graduates of programs other than a university bachelor's, master's or doctorate must have studied in a field on IRCC's eligible list, if the study permit was applied for on or after November 1, 2024.
Our Comprehensive Study Permit Services
MTK Immigration Services provides end-to-end support for your study permit application:
- DLI verification and program suitability assessment
- Document checklist customized to your situation
- CAQ and attestation letter guidance
- Financial documentation review and preparation
- Letter of explanation drafting and refinement
- Application form completion and review
- Biometrics appointment coordination
- Medical examination guidance
- Application submission and tracking
- Study permit extension assistance
- Post-graduation work permit consultation
Strategic Timing for Your Application
We recommend submitting study permit applications at least three to four months before your program start date. Processing times vary significantly by country, ranging from a few weeks to several months. Early application provides time to address any additional document requests without jeopardizing your enrollment.
For programs beginning in September, consider applying in May or June. For January intake programs, submit applications by October at the latest.