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International Students

Study Permits

A study permit allows you to attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Choosing the right program, meeting financial requirements, and maintaining compliance protects your status and future immigration options.

What is a study permit?

Most foreign nationals who want to study a program longer than six months in Canada need a study permit. The permit is issued by IRCC and tied to your acceptance at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) — a school approved by the province or territory to host international students. The permit authorizes study only; working in Canada requires meeting additional eligibility conditions (such as the on- or off-campus work authorization). Since 2024, IRCC has applied annual caps on study permit intake and introduced the Provincial Attestation Letter requirement for most new applicants.

Must attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) PAL required for most new applicants Proof of tuition + living costs required PGWP possible after qualifying programs Annual intake caps apply since 2024

Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) — key change since 2024

Since January 2024, most new study permit applicants at the college and undergraduate university level must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued by their province or territory before IRCC will process the application. The PAL confirms the applicant falls within the province's allocated share of study permit intake for that year. Applications submitted without a required PAL are returned unprocessed. Master's, doctoral, and certain other exempt categories do not require a PAL, but they represent a minority of applicants. If you are applying for a study permit or changing your program, confirm PAL requirements before submitting.

Choose your program with PGWP eligibility in mind

Not every DLI or program qualifies for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Some private career colleges, certain short programs, and specific delivery formats do not qualify. IRCC has added field-of-study and other requirements for many non-degree programs. If your long-term goal includes working in Canada or permanent residence after graduation, confirm PGWP eligibility for your exact credential and CIP code on Canada.ca (or with an RCIC) before paying tuition or accepting an offer.

Eligibility for a study permit

  • Letter of Acceptance (LOA) A valid acceptance letter from a DLI confirming enrollment in a specific full-time program, including program name, start date, and tuition amount.
  • Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Required for most new applicants at the college and undergraduate level. Must be obtained from the province where the DLI is located before applying to IRCC.
  • Proof of financial resources Sufficient funds to cover tuition for the first year, living expenses for yourself (and accompanying family members), and a return ticket home. IRCC publishes the minimum financial amounts required, which are updated periodically.
  • Admissibility No criminal record or health conditions that would make you inadmissible. A medical exam may be required depending on your home country and the length of stay.
  • Ties to home country or clear immigration intent While many students transition to legal work and PR pathways, IRCC may assess whether there are reasons to believe you will comply with the permit conditions.
  • Valid travel document A passport valid for the duration of your intended stay in Canada.

Working while studying

Eligible study permit holders may work under specific conditions without a separate work permit. As of current IRCC rules, eligible students may work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks (such as summer, winter, and spring reading weeks). On-campus work is generally permitted without hour restrictions while enrolled. These rules are subject to change — always verify the current authorized hours before working. Working beyond your authorized hours or conditions is a status violation that can affect your study permit, future permits, and all immigration applications.

Maintaining study permit compliance

Compliance is the most commonly overlooked risk in student immigration. Key conditions include remaining enrolled in a full-time program (or meeting the conditions under which part-time study is permitted), actively pursuing your studies and making academic progress, and notifying IRCC of program or DLI changes. Dropping courses without authorization, taking unapproved breaks, or transferring to a non-qualifying school can result in a status violation that affects both your current permit and your PGWP eligibility.

Post-graduation: the path from student to permanent resident

  1. 1
    Complete an eligible full-time program at a PGWP-qualifying DLI Maintain enrollment and compliance throughout. Verify PGWP eligibility for your specific program and institution before and during your studies.
  2. 2
    Apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit within 180 days of graduation Apply as soon as you receive your final marks or graduation confirmation. The 180-day window is firm — missing it permanently ends eligibility for that PGWP.
  3. 3
    Gain Canadian skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0–3) Work in a skilled occupation matching an appropriate NOC code. This experience builds CRS points under the Canadian Experience Class and may qualify you for PNP streams.
  4. 4
    Take a language test and create an Express Entry profile IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada results are needed for Express Entry and most PNP streams. Higher language scores significantly improve CRS ranking.
  5. 5
    Apply for permanent residence via CEC, FSWP, or PNP Many PGWP holders apply through the Canadian Experience Class or Ontario PNP streams within 1–2 years of graduation. Early planning significantly improves outcomes.

Documents typically needed for a study permit

  • Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the DLI
  • Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) — if required for your province and program level
  • Proof of finances: bank statements, scholarship award letters, Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), or sponsor letters
  • Valid passport
  • Recent passport photos meeting IRCC specifications
  • Evidence of ties to home country (if applicable — employment, property, family)
  • Medical exam results (if required based on country or program)
  • Prior Canadian immigration history (any past visas, permits, or refusals)
How we help

We review your program, institution, and long-term goals to confirm whether your intended path leads to a PGWP and, eventually, permanent residence. We assist with the PAL process, compile and review the study permit application, and explain compliance obligations clearly so your enrollment stays in good standing. For students already in Canada who are considering a program change or extension, we assess the immigration impact before you act.

Study Permit — Frequently Asked Questions

As of January 2024, most post-secondary study permit applicants (college, university, and trade school) must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued by the province or territory where they plan to study. PALs are part of a national cap introduced by IRCC to manage international student volumes. Primary and secondary (K-12) students and some graduate students (master's and doctoral) are generally exempt. Confirm current PAL requirements with your DLI before applying.

Yes. India is consistently among the top source countries for Canadian international students. Students from Punjab — cities like Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar — apply to Canadian colleges and universities each year. A strong study permit application demonstrates genuine intent to study, sufficient financial support, ties to your home country, and enrollment at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

Yes. As of November 2024, eligible study permit holders can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions (previously 20 hours under temporary COVID rules that have now been incorporated). During scheduled academic breaks (summer, winter, spring), there is no hour restriction. You must be enrolled at an eligible DLI and actively studying to maintain this work authorization.

The PGWP is an open work permit for graduates who meet IRCC’s eligibility rules. Length is based on your completed program and the rules in effect when you apply (often capped at three years for longer programs). For many college and non-degree programs, IRCC requires the program’s field of study (CIP code) to be on its eligible list; bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates are generally exempt from that field-of-study list but must still satisfy other criteria. Check the current PGWP pages on Canada.ca before planning work or PR after graduation.

IRCC requires proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and return transportation. The minimum living cost demonstration is based on Canadian government guidelines (related to Statistics Canada's low-income cut-offs), and is in addition to your first year's tuition. Requirements are updated by IRCC. We help you calculate the correct amount and gather appropriate financial documentation for your specific situation.

Yes. Studying in Canada is a well-established pathway to permanent residence. After graduation, you can obtain a PGWP, work in Canada, and then apply for PR through Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), or other pathways. Having Canadian education and work experience significantly strengthens your PR profile and CRS score.

Study permit rules, PAL requirements, PGWP eligibility criteria, annual intake caps, and authorized work hours are set by IRCC and participating provinces and may change without notice. This page is general information only and does not constitute legal advice or guarantee permit approval. Always verify current requirements on the official IRCC and provincial websites before applying.