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CA

Study Permit

Active Post-study work

Canada · Permis d'études · apply online

Official page Compare
Tuition Full fee
Work during study 24 hrs/week vacations: Unlimited
Post-study work 36 months
Proof of funds $16,465 per year

Path to staying

  1. Post-study workup to 36 months
  2. Permanent residencypossible
  3. Citizenshipafter 5 years

Overview

Country
Canada
Visa name
Study Permit
Local name
Permis d'études
Status
Active
Renewable
Yes

Authorization for most foreign nationals to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. A permit is generally required for programs longer than six months; students in shorter programs and other specified groups may be exempt. Applicants generally need a letter of acceptance and, where required, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL); Quebec applicants also follow provincial CAQ requirements.

Tuition and costs

Tuition policy
Full fee
Proof of funds
$16,465/year
Funds type
Bank statement
Scholarships
Available

There is no single national tuition rate; international tuition varies by institution, province and program. Statistics Canada reported 2025/2026 average annual tuition of CAD $41,746 for international undergraduate students and CAD $24,028 for international graduate students at public degree-granting institutions. These are averages, not a range or a fee schedule. No comparable national minimum/maximum is encoded.

Work rights during study

Work allowed
Yes
Term hours
24 hrs/week
Vacation hours
Unlimited
Permission
Automatic
Freelance
Allowed

Eligible students may work off campus up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions and unlimited hours during regularly scheduled breaks. The authorization is automatic only when the student meets the permit and program conditions; a qualifying program must generally be at least six months and lead to a degree, diploma or certificate. Some categories, including students enrolled only in language courses, cannot work off campus under this authorization. Self-employed work hours also count toward the limit. Eligible full-time students at post-secondary DLIs may work on campus without a separate work permit.

Post-study work options

Post-study work options
Program Type Duration Min degree Work PR path
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Work permit 36 mo Certificate Unrestricted Yes

Fees and costs

Fees
Fee Type Amount Frequency
Study Permit Application Fee Application $105 One time
Biometrics Fee Biometrics $60 One time

Dependents and family

Dependents
Allowed
Restriction
Family members apply separately. Spousal open work permits are limited to spouses/common-law partners of students in qualifying master’s programs of at least 16 months, doctoral programs, specified professional degrees, and listed eligible programs; other family members may have visitor or study status.
Spouse work
Unrestricted
Conditions
Only eligible spouses/common-law partners may obtain an open work permit: qualifying master’s programs of 16 months or longer, doctoral programs, specified professional degrees, and listed eligible programs. An open work permit permits work for most employers, subject to listed restrictions.

Long-term pathway

Post-study visa
Available
Work permit
Possible
Permanent residency
Possible
Citizenship
After 5 years

How to apply

Method
Online
Interview
Not required
Official site
www.canada.ca
Health insurance
Not required

Notes and caveats

IRCC’s 2026 issuance target is up to 408,000 study permits, including 155,000 permits for newly arriving students and 253,000 extensions; this is an issuance target, not an individual entitlement. PAL/TAL rules vary by applicant group, with public-DLI master’s and doctoral students exempt beginning January 1, 2026. The Student Direct Stream ended November 8, 2024. Full-time work experience gained while studying does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class; permanent residence requires a separate eligible pathway. For citizenship, authorized temporary-resident time may count as half-days, up to 365 days, within the five-year eligibility window.

Also in Canada

Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source

Change history

    • Proof of funds (USD) 15800 16465
    • Application fee (USD) 110 105
    • Fees updated
    • Post study options updated

    clarified that full-time study work does not count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility while temporary-resident days may receive limited citizenship credit (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/canadian-experience-class.html; https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/cit0002.html)

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