Canada · study · guide
Canada Study Permit: requirements and application guide
This guide explains how to apply for a permit to study in Canada.
MIGRAGENT wrote this from 22 requirements on the official page, each checked against the government's own wording. Updated 2026-10-02. Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html
Who can apply
You must generally apply for your study permit before you travel to Canada. You must be in good health and have no criminal or immigration-related convictions to enter the country.[1][2][3]
You must convince an immigration officer that you have ties to your home country that will take you back. You must also convince them that you will leave Canada when your visit ends.[4][5]
What you need to show
You must submit a letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution you plan to attend. You also need to submit a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or a territorial attestation letter (TAL).[6][7]
You must have a valid travel document, such as a passport, to enter Canada. If you have a Venezuelan passport and its printed expiry date has passed, you must add five years to that date on your application form and include a letter of explanation.[8][9][10]
How to apply
You must apply online unless you are eligible to apply on paper. Before you start, you should read the instruction guide. To apply online, you must create an account, answer some questions before uploading your forms, and have a scanner or camera to make electronic copies of your documents.[11][12][13][14][15]
Costs and money
You must have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.[16]
You must pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. This fee is CAD $85 for an individual applicant. You must use a valid credit or debit card to pay online. If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after paying to make refunds easier.[17][18][19][20]
Timing and next steps
After you apply, you will receive a letter instructing you to give your biometrics. You must give your biometrics within 30 days from the date on this letter.[21]
If your study permit expires and you want to keep studying in Canada, you must restore your status as a student and apply for a new permit.[22]
Checklist
- Get a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution[6]
- Obtain a provincial or territorial attestation letter[7]
- Ensure you have a valid passport or travel document[8]
- Read the official instruction guide[12]
- Create an online account to submit your application[13]
- Prepare a scanner or camera to copy your documents[15]
- Pay the CAD $85 biometrics fee[18]
Questions people ask
Do I need to apply for a study permit before traveling to Canada?
Yes, you must generally apply for your study permit before you come to Canada.[1]
How much is the biometrics fee for a Canada study permit?
The biometrics fee for an individual applicant is CAD $85, which you must pay when you submit your application.[18][17]
How long do I have to give my biometrics?
You must give your biometrics within 30 days from the date on the instruction letter.[21]
What should I do if my study permit expires while I am in Canada?
If your permit expires and you want to continue studying, you must restore your status as a student and apply for a new study permit.[22]
Can I apply for a Canada study permit on paper?
You must apply online unless you are eligible to apply on paper.[11]
What if my Venezuelan passport has expired?
If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed, you must add 5 years to that date on your application form and include a letter of explanation.[9][10]
Do I need to show that I have enough money?
Yes, you must have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.[16]
This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.