What changed recently
- Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) needed in most cases for a study permit; exemptions include K-12, federally designated military colleges, and - as of 1 January 2026 - master's or doctoral programmes at public institutions. A PAL/TAL is tied to a specific intake 'cap year' (e.g. valid only through 31 Dec 2026) and cannot be reused for a later cap year. Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html
- Study-permit proof-of-funds requirement (single applicant, outside Quebec) rose to CAD 23,448/year effective 1 September 2026, up from CAD 22,895/year (1 Jan 2025-31 Aug 2026). Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html
- Off-campus work limit for study permit holders raised to 24 hours/week during academic sessions (from the earlier 20-hour limit); unlimited during scheduled breaks. Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-off-campus.html
- PGWP applicants must submit proof of a language test result, required since 1 November 2024; master's programmes of at least 8 months now qualify for a 3-year PGWP as of 15 February 2024 even if the programme itself is under 2 years. Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html
- Open work permits for spouses/common-law partners of international students are now restricted (effective 21 January 2025) to spouses of students in master's programmes of 16+ months, doctoral programmes, specific pilot programmes, or designated professional degree programmes (e.g. MD, JD, DVM, PharmD, nursing, education, engineering). Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/help-your-spouse-common-law-partner-work-canada.html
Watch out for
- Do not assume last year's PAL/TAL or funds figure still applies - both are tied to specific 'cap years' and dates and are updated most years; get a fresh PAL/TAL and check the current funds amount close to your application date.
- A spouse can no longer get an automatic open work permit for every study programme - check the programme length/type against the January 2025 rules before counting on it in your budget plan.
The basics
- Bachelor's
- 3-4 years (bachelor's)
- Master's / PhD
- 1-2 years (master's); PhD typically 4-5 years
- Intakes
- Fall (September) — main · Winter (January)
- Exams — bachelor's
- No standardised national test; school-specific requirements
- Exams — master's
- Varies by programme; GRE/GMAT for some business/technical courses
- Work while studying
- Up to 24 hours/week off campus during academic sessions (raised from 20 hours; page confirms holders of older permits referencing 20 hours may now work up to 24), unlimited hours during scheduled school breaks (canada.ca).
- Work after graduating
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): length depends on programme length - 8 months to under 2 years gives a PGWP up to the same length as the programme; programmes of 2+ years give up to 3 years; master's programmes of at least 8 months (even if under 2 years) give a 3-year PGWP as of 15 February 2024. Proof of a language test result has been required with PGWP applications since 1 November 2024. A PGWP cannot be issued for longer than the applicant's passport validity, and cannot be obtained twice.
Your timeline from India
for the main intake- After receiving an offer and paying tuition (in full or part)Request a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) from the province where the school is located - needed in most cases for the study permit
- Before applying for the study permitArrange proof of funds (CAD 23,448/year for living expenses for a single applicant outside Quebec, effective 1 Sep 2026, on top of tuition and travel)
- Apply onlineSubmit the study permit application with the Letter of Acceptance, PAL/TAL, proof of funds, and pay the CAD 150 fee; biometrics may be required
- Before travelApply for the study permit before travelling to Canada; processing time varies by country - check IRCC's processing-time tool
The student visa
- Visa
- Study permit ↗
- Money to show
- Must show funds, without working in Canada, for tuition, living expenses (CAD 23,448/year for a single applicant outside Quebec as of 1 Sep 2026) and return transportation for yourself and any accompanying family.
- Processing
- Varies by country - check IRCC's application processing-times tool before planning travel dates.
Steps
- Get a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Get a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL), or Quebec's CAQ, if required - not required for most master's/PhD programmes at public institutions as of 1 January 2026
- Gather proof of funds and other documents
- Apply online and pay the CAD 150 fee; give biometrics if required
- Apply before travelling to Canada
Where to apply, funding, official help
Top universities in Canada
by ARWU 2025 world rank#25University of TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada · UG fees ~₹44.8 lakh/yrAdmission guide#53University of British ColumbiaVancouver, British Columbia, CanadaAdmission guide#76McGill UniversityMontreal, Quebec, CanadaAdmission guide101–150McMaster UniversityHamilton, Ontario, CanadaAdmission guide101–150University of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta, CanadaAdmission guide151–200University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta, CanadaAdmission guide151–200Université de MontréalMontreal, Quebec, CanadaAdmission guide151–200University of WaterlooWaterloo, Ontario, CanadaAdmission guide201–300Queen's UniversityKingston, Ontario, CanadaAdmission guide201–300University of OttawaOttawa, Ontario, Canada301–400Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaAdmission guide301–400Université LavalQuebec City, Quebec, CanadaAdmission guide301–400University of ManitobaWinnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaAdmission guide301–400University of VictoriaVictoria, British Columbia, CanadaAdmission guide301–400Western UniversityLondon, Ontario, CanadaAdmission guide401–500Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, British Columbia, CanadaAdmission guide401–500University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaAdmission guide501–600Carleton UniversityOttawa, Ontario, CanadaAdmission guide501–600University of GuelphGuelph, Ontario, CanadaAdmission guide601–700York UniversityToronto, Ontario, CanadaAdmission guide
This guide was built from: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/eligibility.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/while-you-study/study-permit-conditions.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-off-campus.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/help-your-spouse-common-law-partner-work-canada.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html · canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work.html — checked 2026-09-28.