Path to staying
- Post-study workup to 36 months
- Permanent residencypossible
- Citizenshipafter 5 years
Overview
- Country
- Canada
- Visa name
- Study Permit
- Local name
- Permis d'études
- Status
- Active
- Renewable
- Yes
Authorization for international students to study at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada. Required for study programs longer than 6 months. Covers degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Subject to a national intake cap since 2024.
Tuition and costs
- Tuition policy
- Full fee
- Tuition range
- $7,000 – $45,000/year
- Proof of funds
- $15,800/year
- Funds type
- Bank statement
- Scholarships
- Available
International tuition varies: college diplomas CAD $8,000–$20,000/yr, undergraduate CAD $20,000–$55,000/yr, graduate CAD $10,000–$55,000/yr. Professional programs (MBA, law, medicine) can exceed CAD $60,000/yr.
Work rights during study
- Work allowed
- Yes
- Term hours
- 24 hrs/week
- Vacation hours
- Unlimited
- Permission
- Automatic
- Freelance
- Allowed
Off-campus work up to 24 hours/week during academic sessions (increased from 20 hours in November 2024). Full-time work during scheduled breaks (winter/summer holidays). No separate work permit needed if studying at a DLI on a program of 6+ months leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. On-campus work is unrestricted hours.
Post-study work options
| Program | Type | Duration | Min degree | Work | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Work permit | 36 mo | Diploma | Unrestricted | Yes |
Language requirements
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Admission | English | 6.5 | Score varies by institution: 6.0–7.0 overall typical. For PGWP eligibility: CLB 7 equivalent required for university graduates. |
| TOEFL iBT | Admission | English | 86 | Score varies by institution: 70–100+ typical range. |
| PTE Academic | Admission | English | 60 | Increasingly accepted by Canadian institutions. |
| TEF Canada / TCF Canada | Admission | French | — | Required for French-language programs. Also used for PGWP language requirement. |
Fees and costs
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study Permit Application Fee | Application | $110 | One time |
| Biometrics Fee | Biometrics | $62 | One time |
Dependents and family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Restriction
- Since January 2025, only spouses of master's students (16+ months) or certain professional/eligible programs can get an open work permit. Undergraduate and college diploma students' spouses are no longer eligible for work permits.
- Spouse work
- Unrestricted
- Conditions
- Since January 21, 2025, spousal open work permits are limited to partners of master's students (16+ months) or certain professional programs. Undergraduate and college program spouses are generally no longer eligible. Extensions require the student not to be in the final term.
Long-term pathway
- Post-study visa
- Available
- Work permit
- Possible
- Permanent residency
- Possible
- Citizenship
- After 5 years
- Study time counts
- 50% credit
How to apply
- Method
- Online
- Processing
- 28-84 days
- Interview
- Not required
- Official site
- www.canada.ca
- Health insurance
- Not required
Notes and caveats
National study permit intake cap introduced in 2024, set at 408,000 for 2026. Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) required for most programs, with 2026 exemptions for master's and doctoral students at public DLIs. Student Direct Stream (SDS) discontinued November 2024 — all applicants now use regular stream. PGWP eligibility now has field-of-study and language requirements added in 2024.
Also in Canada
Last verified May 3, 2026 Source