Study in Canada: Eligibility & Requirements

Planning to study in Canada? Here’s what international students need to apply for a Canadian study permit and start their journey at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

✅ 1. Letter of Acceptance (LOA)

You must have an official Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
The LOA must include your program details, duration, tuition fees, and start date.

💵 2. Proof of Financial Support

You must prove you can pay for:

Tuition fees for the first year
Living expenses for yourself and any accompanying family
Return transportation costs

Minimum funds required (as of 2024):

Student alone: CAD $20,635 per year
Accompanying spouse: + CAD $7,000
Per dependent child: + CAD $3,500

📌 Amounts vary by province and cost of living. Always check updated IRCC guidelines.

🧾 3. Valid Supporting Documents

Valid passport/travel document
Proof of funds (bank statements, GIC, scholarships)
LOA from a DLI
Ties to your home country (to prove intent to return after studies)
Recent digital photo
IMM1294 application form and Family Information form (IMM5645 or IMM5406)

🌐 4. Biometrics & Medical Exam

Biometrics: Required for most applicants (photo + fingerprints)
Medical exam: Required if you’ll work in healthcare, childcare, or stay in Canada for 6+ months

📚 5. Language Proficiency

While not mandatory for a study permit, most institutions require proof of English or French proficiency:
- IELTS Academic, TOEFL, or CELPIP for English
- TEF or TCF for French

🔒 6. No Criminal Record

IRCC may request a police certificate to verify you are admissible.

⏳ 7. Application Submission & Fee

The application must be submitted online or via a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Pay the CAD $150 processing fee + CAD $85 biometrics fee (if applicable).

🧾 Optional: Custodian Declaration (for minors)

Required for students under 18 (or 19 in some provinces) who will study in Canada without a parent or legal guardian.

Canada Study Permit & PGWP – 2025 Updates

Stay informed about the latest changes to Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and study permit rules. These updates impact eligibility based on program type, language skills, and application timing.

1️⃣ Field of Study Changes – Effective June 25, 2025

IRCC updated the PGWP-eligible program list, adding 119 in-demand fields and removing 178 outdated ones.
In-demand sectors include: healthcare, skilled trades, and education.
Programs in transportation, agriculture, and non-priority fields were removed.

📌 Good News: If you submitted your study permit before June 25, 2025, you remain eligible even if your program was later removed.

2️⃣ Application Windows & Grandfathering

New study permit or PGWP applications submitted on or after June 25, 2025 must follow the updated field-of-study list.
If you applied before November 1, 2024, you are grandfathered in—your program remains PGWP-eligible regardless of changes.

3️⃣ PGWP Program Length & DLI Requirements

To qualify, you must study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) for at least 8 months.
Blended or international programs are acceptable, but only the time physically spent in Canada will count toward your PGWP duration.

4️⃣ Language Requirement – CLB 5 Minimum (New)

Starting November 1, 2024, students completing college-level programs must show proof of CLB/NCLC Level 5 in English or French to qualify for a PGWP.

✔️ Applies to PGWP applicants only—not to initial study permit approval.

5️⃣ Passport Validity Affects PGWP Length

Your PGWP cannot extend beyond your passport’s expiry date.
If your passport expires early, you’ll receive a shorter PGWP.
You can later apply for an extension after renewing your passport.

6️⃣ 3-Year PGWP for Master’s Graduates

As of February 15, 2024, master’s graduates are eligible for a 3-year PGWP, even if the program was under 2 years.
The program must be at least 8 months (or 900 hours in Quebec).

📞 Need Help With Your PGWP or Study Permit?

Let our licensed consultants guide you through these changes and help you build a strong application.