Study Permits

A Study Permit is a document that is issued to authorize a foreign national to engage in academic, professional, vocational or other education or training in Canada. This authorization allows foreign nationals to study in Canada at Designated Learning Institutions (DLI).

How to apply for a Study Permit?

Step 1: Apply and get accepted for study at a Designated Learning Institution

If you are considering applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), it is important to check to see whether your school is a DLI and whether the specific program of studies that you want to take is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP-eligible).

Step 2: Get a Letter of Acceptance and a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL)

Students can establish acceptance to a Course or a Program by providing the Letter of Acceptance from the DLI that they will be attending. Most Study Permit applicants also must provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL).

Step 3: Apply for a Study Permit

To apply for a Canada Study Permit, you must complete the required study permit application forms and gather supporting documents. It is essential to review country-specific requirements and Visa Office instructions before submitting your application.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate their temporary intent that they intend to return to their home country upon completing their studies. They must also articulate why they want to study in Canada, explain whether they have considered alternatives in their home country, and establish a clear connection between their chosen program, their previous education, and their future career plans. Additionally, applicants must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources to cover tuition, books, and living expenses in Canada.

A persuasive Letter of Intent plays a critical role in your study permit application. Although it is not always explicitly listed in the study permit document checklist, this document is often the most critical component of a strong application. A compelling Letter of Intent for a Canadian study permit can effectively address key concerns and increase the chances of approval.

Additionally, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses of yourself and family members who accompany you to Canada, and return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.

 

If you have successfully gotten your study permit approved, congratulations!

Please do not forget your responsibilities as a student!

If you are not fully aware of your responsibilities, consult with an authorized representative before making an important decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

You need PAL/TAL unless you are exempted.

You don’t need a PAL/TAL when applying for a study permit if any of the following applies to you.

  • You’re applying to study at a
    • preschool
    • primary school (including kindergarten)
    • secondary school (up to grade 12)
    • school participating in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) and you have a letter of acceptance from this school identifying you as an applicant under the FMCSP
    • federally designated military college or
    • school in Quebec in a vocational training program that leads to one of the following:
      • a diploma of vocational studies (DVS)
      • an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS)
      • a skills training certificate (STC)
  • You’re an exchange student studying under an exchange arrangement between your home institution and a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, and you don’t pay tuition fees to the DLI.
  • You’ve received a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada.
  • You’re in Canada or entering Canada at a port of entry and are eligible for an exemption from certain study permit requirements based on a public policy as part of a migration response to a crisis or other pressure.
  • You’re exempt from certain study permit requirements under the temporary measures to reunite families of Indigenous people separated by Canada’s border.
  • You’ve entered Canada and one of the following situations applies to you:
    • You’re applying for a study permit extension at the same DLI and level of study as your current study permit.
    • You’re under a removal order but can’t be removed from Canada at this time.
    • You have a temporary resident permit valid for at least 6 months.
    • You’re a protected person.
    • You’re eligible for permanent residence
      • based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds , or
      • based on a current public policy, or
      • as a spouse or common-law partner (through the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class)

You need to provide proof that you meet one of the above exceptions if you don’t provide a PAL/TAL with your study permit application.

Your institution will typically request a PAL from the provincial or territorial government on your behalf after you have accepted an offer of admission and paid any required tuition deposit. Once your PAL is issued, you will receive instructions on how to access it along with your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for your study permit application.

2 Comments

  1. imsofarahani_rsh June 8, 2025 at 1:19 pm - Reply

    hi

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