Canada study permit documents: a checklist that tells one consistent story

Canada study permit documents should work together as one clear account of who you are, what you plan to study and how you will pay for it. Use this checklist to find the requirements that apply to you, prepare the evidence and catch mismatches before you submit. It is based on IRCC's pages "Get the documents required" (updated October 6, 2026) and "Proof of financial support" (August 28, 2026), checked on October 17, 2026.

Key takeaways

• Start with the essentials, then tailor the list. Your country, current location, age, family situation, province and program affect which documents apply.
• A school's letter of acceptance is always required. Upload it alone in its field: anything else added there is shared with the school.
• Check the attestation. A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) is needed in most cases. In Quebec, a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) is required instead.
• Show the whole funding picture. Proof of funds must cover tuition, living expenses and transportation without working in Canada.
• Use a letter of explanation to connect the evidence. IRCC recommends one.
• Keep conditional documents separate. A medical exam or police certificate applies only when required.

Build your checklist around your situation

Begin with the core documents, then tailor the list to where you apply from, your age, your family and your province. Compare the requests in your online application with the instructions of the visa office for your country: some offices ask for more. When you apply online, the portal generates a personalized checklist.

A study permit lets you study in Canada. It is separate from the visa or electronic travel authorization you may need to travel; our visitor visa page covers that process. For the overall requirements, see our study permit guide.

Submit the acceptance letter and provincial attestation correctly

A letter of acceptance from the school is always required. Upload it by itself in its field, because anything added there is shared with the school.

For post-secondary students, IRCC asks the school to verify the letter. If the school does not answer in time, IRCC returns the application and refunds the processing fee. Check with your school that it will verify your letter before you apply.

A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) is needed in most cases; in most cases you must accept the offer and pay part or all of the tuition to get it. To study in Quebec, you need a CAQ instead: our CAQ for studies page explains that step.

Before uploading, compare the school name, program and dates on the letter with your application and your study plan.

Prepare clear proof of identity

You, and each family member coming with you, need a copy of a valid passport (the information page when you apply online; the original is requested if the permit is approved) and 2 recent passport photos with the person's name and date of birth on the back.

Use the same spelling and order of names on your passport, school records, financial evidence and application. If a real difference exists, explain it.

Make proof of funds easy to assess

Proof of funds is always required. You must show you can pay tuition, living expenses and transportation, for yourself and the family members coming with you, without working in Canada. Show the funds for the first year and, for programs longer than one year, explain how you will pay for the whole program, for example a multi-year scholarship or parents' employment.

Living-expense amounts outside Quebec, for applications from September 1, 2026, excluding tuition and transportation:

People (including you)	Amount per year
1	CAD 23,448
2	CAD 29,192
3	CAD 35,888
4	CAD 43,572

For Quebec, IRCC's page refers to the amounts Quebec requires to obtain a CAQ.

Examples of accepted evidence (you don't need all of them):

• proof that you paid tuition and housing for the first year, with other proof for living and travel costs;
• a student loan from a bank;
• a scholarship or a Government of Canada-funded program (if it covers tuition only, add other proof);
• a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution;
• bank statements for the past 6 months, including the month you apply or the month before, with documents showing where the deposits came from;
• recent pay slips;
• a letter from the person giving you money (their job, your relationship, their dependants, the amount), with proof of their support and a copy of their photo ID.

If your country controls currency exports, you must show you are allowed to take the funds out.

Use a letter of explanation to connect the evidence

IRCC recommends a letter explaining why you want to study in Canada and showing that you understand your responsibilities as a student. Use it to connect the pieces: why this program, how it fits your past studies and work, who pays, and what you will do after.

Make the dates, school, program, amounts and sponsor agree across the letter, the acceptance letter and the financial records. A letter should clarify the evidence, never introduce a different program, amount or timeline.

Add conditional documents only when they apply

A medical exam may be needed if you plan to stay more than 6 months, have recently lived in certain countries, or will work in some occupations where public health must be protected. A police certificate may be requested in some cases. Children under 17 who are not coming with a parent or legal guardian need an appointed custodian.

If a past refusal affects your file, see our pages on visa refusals and complex cases.

Upload the package and run a consistency check

Place each document in its field, upload the acceptance letter alone, and complete every required field. Before submitting, compare names, dates, school and program, amounts, sponsor and study plan across the whole file. Resolve contradictions rather than leaving the officer to guess.

To discuss your file, you can describe your situation or book a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Can a parent or relative pay for my studies?

Yes. Include their letter (job, relationship to you, dependants, amount of support), proof of the support, and a copy of their photo ID.

Is there a required bank balance?

The living-expense table sets the minimum outside Quebec, on top of tuition and travel. Bank statements are one accepted proof among others; what matters is showing enough funds and where they came from.

Do I always need a PAL or TAL?

In most cases. To study in Quebec, you need a CAQ instead.

Do I need a medical exam?

Only in some cases, for example a stay of more than 6 months or recent time in certain countries. IRCC will tell you if it is required.

Official sources

Official pages consulted on October 17, 2026:

• IRCC — Study permit: Get the documents required
• IRCC — Proof of financial support (study permit)