At a glance
A Canadian study permit lets you study temporarily at the designated learning institution (DLI) named on it. A DLI is a school approved to host international students. You must follow the permit's conditions, and it does not give you permanent residence.
- Studies
- Students accepted by a Canadian designated learning institution
- Requirements
- An acceptance letter, funds, any required provincial or territorial confirmation, and immigration entry checks
- Important detail
- Eligibility for a post-graduation work permit depends on the school and program
Summary
This is the core temporary route for studying in Canada. It usually requires acceptance from a designated learning institution, funds for tuition and living costs, a provincial or territorial attestation letter unless exempt, and proof that you meet entry and study-permit conditions.
If you hope to work after graduating, check the exact school and program before paying a deposit. Not every DLI program qualifies for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The credential, field of study, and relevant application dates can affect eligibility.
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Check the approved school and program If you want to work after graduation, check whether the program qualifies for a graduate work permit.
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Prepare the study-permit application Provide your study plan, funds, identity records, and other required documents.
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Follow the student rules and recheck later options Keep to enrollment, school, working-hour, and permit-expiry conditions through graduation.
A study permit or graduation from an approved school does not guarantee a graduate work permit, a job, or permanent residence.
Eligibility
An applicant normally needs:
- A letter of acceptance from a DLI.
- A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), confirming the required provincial or territorial approval, unless an exemption applies. In Quebec, the required Quebec Acceptance Certificate normally serves this function.
- Proof of enough money for tuition, living expenses for the applicant and accompanying family, and return travel, using IRCC's current amounts and acceptable evidence.
- A credible study plan and proof that they will leave Canada when authorized status ends, even if they may later use a lawful work or permanent-residence route.
- A valid passport and any required biometrics, medical examination, police certificate, translations, and local visa-office documents.
- No criminal, security, medical, financial, misrepresentation, or other inadmissibility issue that prevents approval.
As of 2026, students entering public-DLI master's or doctoral degree programs are among the PAL/TAL exemptions, but other graduate and undergraduate applicants may still need one. Exemptions and Quebec rules should be checked on the current IRCC page.
What This Route Allows
The permit allows study at the approved institution and level, subject to its conditions. An eligible full-time post-secondary student may work off campus up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. The exact work rules must be satisfied; a permit does not give every student an automatic right to work.
An eligible graduate may later apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). That is a separate application with institution, program length, language, field-of-study, physical-location, and timing requirements.
What This Route Is Not
A study permit is not a promise of a PGWP, permanent residence, or a job. Work performed while a person is a full-time student normally does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class.
Changing post-secondary schools normally requires a new study permit under current rules. A student already in Canada generally must apply to extend the current permit and receive the new permit before starting at the new DLI; IRCC allows study at the new school while the application is pending only in narrow situations involving the former school's closure, program discontinuation, suspension or loss of designation. The student must also remain enrolled and actively pursue studies; working beyond the permitted hours or stopping study can jeopardize status and later applications.
Next Steps
- Confirm the exact school is a DLI and the exact program—not only the school—is PGWP-eligible if post-study work matters.
- Check whether the program is subject to a PGWP field-of-study requirement and whether its CIP code is on IRCC's 2026 frozen list.
- Obtain the letter of acceptance and PAL/TAL or Quebec acceptance document, unless clearly exempt.
- Prepare a realistic budget using IRCC's current living-expense table plus tuition and travel, with a traceable source of funds.
- Explain why the program makes sense for your education and career and provide complete identity, travel, and admissibility documents.
- After arrival, follow enrollment, school, work-hour, and permit-expiry conditions and check the PGWP rules again before graduation.
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