Canada remains one of the most popular destinations for international students because of its universities, colleges, career opportunities and multicultural environment.
However, before you can study in Canada, you will usually need a Canadian study permit.
Although many people call it a “Canada student visa,” the official document that allows an international student to study in Canada is a study permit. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization, known as an eTA.
The good news is that if your study permit is approved, Canada normally issues the required visitor visa or eTA at the same time. You do not need to submit a separate application or pay another visa fee.
This guide explains the Canada student visa requirements for 2026, including the cost, required documents, proof of funds and the step-by-step application process.
What Is a Canada Study Permit?
A Canadian study permit is an immigration document that allows eligible foreign nationals to study at a Designated Learning Institution, or DLI, in Canada.
Most international students planning to study in Canada for more than six months need a study permit.
You should normally apply for your study permit before travelling to Canada.
Canada Student Visa Requirements in 2026
To qualify for a Canadian study permit, you generally need to:
- Be accepted by a Designated Learning Institution in Canada.
- Have a valid passport or travel document.
- Show that you have enough money for tuition, living expenses and transportation.
- Provide a Provincial Attestation Letter or Territorial Attestation Letter if required.
- Be in good health and complete a medical examination if required.
- Have no serious criminal or immigration-related issues.
- Provide a police certificate if requested.
- Convince the immigration officer that you will leave Canada when your authorized stay ends.
IRCC may also request additional documents depending on your country of residence and personal circumstances.
Canada Student Visa Cost in 2026
The main government fees are relatively straightforward.
Study permit application fee: CAD $150
Biometrics fee: CAD $85 per person
For a typical applicant who needs biometrics, the total government application fees would therefore be:
CAD $235
For families applying together, the maximum biometrics fee for eligible family members applying at the same time is CAD $170.
These amounts do not include other expenses such as:
- Medical examination fees
- Police clearance certificate fees
- Passport costs
- Document translation
- Visa Application Centre service charges
- Tuition deposits
- Travel expenses
How Much Money Do You Need to Study in Canada in 2026?
Proof of funds is one of the most important parts of a Canadian study permit application.
You must prove that you can pay for:
- Your tuition fees
- Your living expenses
- Living expenses for accompanying family members
- Transportation to and from Canada
For applications submitted up to August 31, 2026, a single student studying outside Quebec must show at least:
CAD $22,895 for one year of living expenses.
This amount does not include tuition or transportation.
However, Canada is increasing the requirement.
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show at least:
CAD $23,448 for one year of living expenses.
The new requirements from September 1, 2026 are:
| Family Size | Required Living Funds |
|---|---|
| 1 person | CAD $23,448 |
| 2 people | CAD $29,192 |
| 3 people | CAD $35,888 |
| 4 people | CAD $43,572 |
| 5 people | CAD $49,419 |
| 6 people | CAD $55,736 |
| 7 people | CAD $62,054 |
For each additional family member after seven, add CAD $6,318.
Quebec has separate financial requirements.
What Can You Use as Proof of Funds?
IRCC accepts different types of financial evidence.
Examples include:
- Bank statements
- Proof of tuition payment
- Proof of accommodation payment
- A Canadian bank account in your name
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate, or GIC
- Student or education loan documents
- Scholarship letters
- Evidence of employment income
- Financial support from a parent, sponsor or institution
IRCC currently recommends bank statements covering the previous six months, including the month of application or the month immediately before it. You should also be able to explain where the money came from.
Avoid depositing a large unexplained amount shortly before submitting your application. Immigration officers can assess both the amount available and the source of the funds.
Documents Required for a Canada Student Visa in 2026
Your exact document checklist can vary, but most applicants should prepare the following.
1. Letter of Acceptance
You need a valid Letter of Acceptance, or LOA, from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution.
For post-secondary applications, IRCC may contact the institution to verify that the acceptance letter is genuine.
2. Valid Passport
You must provide a valid passport or travel document. Online applicants usually upload the information page of their passport.
3. Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter
Most study permit applicants require a Provincial Attestation Letter, PAL, or Territorial Attestation Letter, TAL.
Your school will normally explain how to obtain it.
Students studying in Quebec generally require a Quebec Acceptance Certificate, or CAQ.
There is an important 2026 exception. Starting January 1, 2026, students entering degree-granting master’s or doctoral programs at public DLIs are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement.
4. Proof of Financial Support
Provide strong evidence showing you can cover your tuition, living costs and transportation expenses.
5. Letter of Explanation
IRCC recommends including a letter explaining:
- Why you want to study in Canada
- Why you selected the particular program
- How the program fits your education or career plans
- How your studies will be funded
- Your understanding of your responsibilities as an international student
A clear study plan can help an immigration officer understand the purpose of your application.
6. Passport Photographs
You may need recent passport-sized photographs that meet IRCC specifications.
7. Medical Examination
Some applicants must complete an immigration medical examination.
This may apply depending on how long you plan to stay, countries you have recently lived in or visited, and whether your intended occupation involves areas such as healthcare, childcare or education.
8. Police Certificate
IRCC may request a police certificate to confirm that you do not have a criminal record that makes you inadmissible to Canada.
9. Additional Country-Specific Documents
Your local visa office may require additional documents based on the country from which you are applying.
Always check the document checklist generated for your application.
How to Apply for a Canada Student Visa in 2026
The Canadian study permit application process can be completed mainly online.
Step 1: Apply to a Canadian DLI
Choose an eligible Canadian university, college or other Designated Learning Institution and apply for admission.
You cannot normally apply for your study permit until you have received your Letter of Acceptance.
Step 2: Obtain Your PAL, TAL or CAQ
If your program requires a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter, obtain it through the process provided by your school.
Quebec students should follow the province’s CAQ process.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Gather your passport, acceptance letter, financial documents, study plan and other required documents.
Check names, dates and financial figures carefully before uploading anything.
Step 4: Create an IRCC Account and Apply Online
Most applicants should submit their study permit application online through the official Canadian immigration system.
Complete all requested forms accurately.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fees
Pay the CAD $150 study permit fee and the CAD $85 biometrics fee if biometrics are required.
Keep your payment receipt.
Step 6: Complete Biometrics
If biometrics are required, IRCC will send you a Biometrics Instruction Letter.
You will then need to visit an official biometrics collection location to provide your fingerprints and photograph.
Step 7: Complete Your Medical Examination if Required
Use an IRCC-approved panel physician if you are required to undergo an immigration medical examination.
Step 8: Wait for a Decision
Processing times vary depending on your country and application circumstances.
IRCC may request additional documents, an interview, medical information or clarification during processing.
Respond to requests as quickly as possible.
Step 9: Receive Your Approval Documents
If you apply from outside Canada and your application is approved, IRCC will send you a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction.
This letter is not your actual study permit.
Your study permit is normally issued when you arrive in Canada and meet the entry requirements.
Common Reasons Canada Study Permits Are Refused
A study permit is not automatically approved because you have admission to a Canadian school.
Problems can arise if:
- Your proof of funds is weak or unclear.
- Large bank deposits cannot be explained.
- Your proposed program does not make sense based on your education or career history.
- Your study plan is weak.
- Required documents are missing.
- Your immigration history raises concerns.
- The officer is not satisfied that you will respect the conditions of your temporary stay.
- Information in your application is inconsistent.
Make sure every document supports the same story about your education, finances and reason for studying in Canada.
How Long Does a Canada Student Visa Take?
There is no single processing time for every applicant.
Canadian study permit processing times vary by country and can change throughout the year.
Apply as early as possible once you have your admission documents and any required PAL, TAL or CAQ.
Do not book non-refundable travel based solely on an expected processing date.
Can You Work in Canada With a Study Permit?
Eligible international students may be allowed to work while studying in Canada, provided they meet the applicable study permit and employment conditions.
Canada currently allows eligible international students to work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions. Different rules can apply during scheduled academic breaks.
Always check the conditions printed on your study permit before starting work.
Final Canada Student Visa Checklist for 2026
Before submitting your application, confirm that you have:
- Valid Letter of Acceptance
- PAL or TAL if required
- CAQ if studying in Quebec
- Valid passport
- Proof of funds
- Tuition payment evidence where available
- Letter of explanation or study plan
- Passport photographs where required
- Medical examination where required
- Police certificate where required
- Country-specific supporting documents
- Study permit fee
- Biometrics fee where required
Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Student Visa Requirements 2026
How much is the Canada student visa fee in 2026?
The Canadian study permit application fee is CAD $150. Applicants who need biometrics normally pay an additional CAD $85.
How much proof of funds do I need for Canada in 2026?
For a single applicant outside Quebec, the required living-expense amount is CAD $22,895 for applications submitted up to August 31, 2026. From September 1, 2026, the requirement increases to CAD $23,448. Tuition and transportation costs must be added separately.
Do I need IELTS to apply for a Canadian study permit?
IRCC does not list IELTS as a universal study permit requirement. However, your university or college may require IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or another language test for admission.
Do master’s students need a PAL in Canada in 2026?
Students applying to degree-granting master’s or doctoral programs at public Canadian DLIs are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement from January 1, 2026. Quebec applicants still need to meet Quebec’s requirements.
Can I apply for a Canada student visa without proof of funds?
Generally, no. Proof that you can pay your tuition, living expenses and transportation is a core study permit requirement.
Is a study permit the same as a Canadian visa?
No. The study permit authorizes your studies in Canada. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visitor visa or eTA to travel to Canada. When required, IRCC normally issues it with an approved study permit without a separate application fee.
Canada’s student immigration rules have changed several times in recent years, so applicants should always verify the latest requirements directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before submitting an application.