Study permits: the 2026 requirements, with no surprises.

The basic requirements

• Be accepted by a designated learning institution
• Show you have enough money for tuition, living expenses for yourself and any family members coming with you, and return transportation
• Have no criminal record, and provide a police certificate if asked
• Be in good health, and complete a medical exam if asked
• Satisfy the officer that you will leave Canada when your permit expires

Once you're studying, you also have to make progress toward completing your program and respect the conditions on your permit.

The provincial attestation letter (PAL/TAL)

In most cases you must include a letter from the province or territory where you plan to study, confirming that a space has been set aside for you. Your school obtains it and sends it to you, and it has to be filed with your application, not after.

• In Québec, the CAQ replaces this letter. See our guide to the CAQ for studies.
• Exemptions: preschool through grade 12, federally designated military colleges, Québec vocational programs (DVS, AVS, STC) and, since January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral programs at a public institution.
• Validity: a letter issued for 2026 is valid until December 31, 2026. An expired one can't be used.

Proof of funds

For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, outside Québec, you must show:

• $23,448 per year for a single applicant
• $6,318 per year for each accompanying family member

These amounts are on top of tuition and travel costs. For Québec, the amounts set by the immigration ministry (MIFI) apply, at the CAQ stage.

Federal fees

• Study permit, including an extension: $150 per person
• Biometrics: $85 per person, to a maximum of $170 per family

In Québec, the CAQ fee comes on top.

Working while you study

• 24 hours a week off campus during academic sessions
• No limit during scheduled breaks, such as summer or reading week
• Conditions: full-time enrolment at a designated learning institution, in a program of at least 6 months leading to a credential, studies already started, a permit that authorizes work, and a social insurance number

Going over the limit isn't a minor slip: it breaches the conditions of your permit, with consequences for your status and for future applications.

Your spouse and children

Since January 2025, the spouse of a student qualifies for an open work permit only if the student is enrolled in a master's program of at least 16 months. Other situations no longer qualify. This is something to settle before you leave, not after you arrive.

And after graduation?

The post-graduation work permit is no longer automatic: program length, institution, field of study and language level all count. In Québec, the experience you gain afterwards can lead to the PSTQ or the PEQ. That's why the program you pick should be chosen with the next step in mind, from the day you enrol.

What we do for you

• Check that the institution, the program and the field of study lead where you want to go
• Build a financial file that holds together, with documented sources of funds
• Coordinate the attestation letter or the CAQ, then the study permit application
• Anticipate the common grounds for refusal: insufficient funds, a vague study plan, weak ties to your home country

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Québec with just a study permit?

No. For programs that require it, you first obtain the Québec Acceptance Certificate, then apply to IRCC for the study permit. The CAQ then serves as your provincial attestation letter.

What if my study permit expires before my program ends?

You need to apply for an extension before the expiry date. An application filed in time lets you keep your status while it's processed. Plan for the CAQ renewal too, if one applies: it runs on its own schedule.

Official sources: IRCC, "Study permit: Who can apply" (canada.ca, modified January 26, 2026), "Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter" (September 2, 2026), "Proof of financial support" (August 28, 2026), "Work off campus" (April 15, 2026), "Citizenship and immigration application fees" (July 2, 2026) and the notice "2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap". Accessed September 20, 2026.