Studying in Canada starts with understanding exactly what universities and colleges expect from international applicants. Entry requirements cover far more than grades and English test scores; they include your study permit, proof of funds, and, for most applicants, a provincial or territorial attestation letter. Getting even one element wrong can delay or derail an application.
This guide walks through every entry requirement for studying in Canada as an international student in 2027, from academic eligibility and language scores to the study permit cap, proof of funds thresholds, and what happens after graduation.
What is Required to Study in Canada?
Most international students need four things in place before they can travel to Canada to study: a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI), a study permit, proof of funds, and, in most cases, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). Programmes under six months are the main exception, as these generally do not require a study permit.
Your specific requirements depend on your level of study, your destination province, and whether you are applying to a public or private institution. Master’s and doctoral applicants at public DLIs, for example, are exempt from several requirements that still apply to undergraduate and college applicants.
Do You Need a Study Permit to Study in Canada?
Yes. A study permit is the core document that allows a foreign national to study at a DLI in Canada. It is not the same as a visa; depending on your nationality, you may also need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter the country. You should apply for your study permit before you travel, and always before your programme begins.
To be eligible, you must be enrolled at a DLI, show that you have enough money to support yourself and any accompanying family members, have a clean immigration record, and satisfy the visa officer that you will leave Canada once your permit expires, unless you are pursuing a recognised pathway to permanent residence.
What Is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)?
A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. All elementary and secondary schools in Canada are automatically DLIs, but at college and university level, only institutions on the official DLI list can enrol international students on a study permit.
Confirm your chosen institution’s DLI number before accepting an offer, since this number is required on your study permit application.
What Are the Academic and Language Entry Requirements?
Academic entry requirements vary by institution and programme, but most Canadian universities and colleges ask for the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma for undergraduate entry, and a recognised bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record for postgraduate entry.
English or French language proficiency is assessed separately from academic marks and is required for both admission and, later, for post-study work eligibility.
| Study Level |
Typical Admission Requirement |
Minimum Language Benchmark (CLB) |
PGWP Field-of-Study Restriction |
| Undergraduate degree |
High school diploma or equivalent |
CLB 7 for post-study work |
None, all fields qualify |
| College diploma or certificate |
High school diploma or equivalent |
CLB 5 for post-study work |
Programme must be on the eligible fields list |
| Master’s degree |
Recognised bachelor’s degree |
CLB 7 for post-study work |
None, all fields qualify |
| Doctoral degree |
Recognised master’s degree |
CLB 7 for post-study work |
None, all fields qualify |
Institutions typically accept IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test for admission, though accepted tests and minimum scores vary by school and programme. Always confirm your target institution’s exact requirement, since it may differ from the language benchmark used later for post-graduation work eligibility.
What Documents Do You Need for a Canada Study Permit Application?
A complete study permit application generally includes the following:
- Letter of acceptance from a DLI
- Valid passport or travel document
- Proof of financial support
- Provincial or territorial attestation letter, where required
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Letter of explanation, which is recommended but not mandatory
- Custody documents, if you are under 18 and travelling without a parent or guardian
- Biometrics and, where applicable, a medical exam
Missing even one required document from your checklist can lead to an incomplete application being refused outright, with no opportunity to submit it later. Start collecting documents as early as possible, since some, such as bank letters or academic transcripts, can take weeks to obtain.
How Much Money Do You Need to Study in Canada?
Proof of funds is one of the most common reasons study permit applications are refused, so it is worth getting right. You must show that you can cover tuition, living costs, and return travel without working illegally in Canada.
| Cost Category |
Outside Quebec |
Quebec |
| Living costs, single applicant, first year |
CAD 22,895 |
CAD 24,617 |
| First-year tuition |
As stated on your letter of acceptance |
As stated on your letter of acceptance |
| Return travel |
Cost of a return flight to your home country |
Cost of a return flight to your home country |
The living-costs figure rises for each accompanying family member and is reviewed annually against Statistics Canada cost-of-living data, so always confirm the current amount before you apply. Acceptable evidence includes a Canadian bank account in your name, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), an education loan, sponsor support, or four months of personal bank statements.
What Is a Provincial Attestation Letter and Do You Need One?
A Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) confirms that your study permit application fits within Canada’s national cap on international students. Most undergraduate, college, post-graduate certificate, and private-college language programme applicants need one before they can submit a study permit application.
As of 1st January 2026, master’s and doctoral students enrolled at a public DLI are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement, along with K-12 students and a small number of other exempt categories. Your institution requests the PAL on your behalf once you accept your offer, and processing times vary by province, so factor this into your application timeline.
Has the Canada Study Permit Cap Changed?
Canada continues to manage international student numbers through a national cap. For 2026, the Canadian government expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in total, made up of 155,000 permits for newly arriving international students and 253,000 extensions for students already in Canada. This is a reduction from 2025 targets, reflecting the government’s broader goal of lowering the temporary resident population.
Within that total, up to 180,000 permits are earmarked for applicants who require a PAL/TAL, with a ceiling of 309,670 applications that provinces and territories will accept for processing across the year. Allocations are distributed by population and by each province’s recent approval rate, so competition for places varies significantly depending on where you plan to study.
Expert View
“With the 2026 cap in place, timing and documentation matter more than ever. Apply as soon as you have your letter of acceptance and PAL, and make sure your proof of funds tells a consistent financial story, not just a single large deposit.” – Rahul Chauhan, Counsellor, StudyIn.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Studying in Quebec?
Quebec runs its own immigration process alongside the federal one. If you plan to study at a Quebec institution, you must obtain a CAQ from the province before applying to IRCC for your study permit. This means proving your finances twice, once to Quebec’s immigration ministry and once to IRCC, although the same funds can satisfy both requirements.
Can You Work in Canada After You Graduate?
Many international students choose Canada for its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows eligible graduates to work in Canada after finishing their studies. To qualify, you generally need to have studied full-time for at least eight months at an eligible DLI, graduated with a degree, diploma, or certificate, and applied within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed your programme.
Since 1st November 2024, most applicants must also prove English or French language proficiency, and non-degree graduates must have studied in a field on IRCC’s approved list. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates are exempt from the field-of-study restriction, whatever subject they studied.
- University degree graduates need CLB 7 in all four language skills
- College diploma and certificate graduates need CLB 5 in all four language skills
- College graduates must also have studied in an IRCC-approved field, unless holding a bachelor’s degree
- PGWP length matches programme length, up to a maximum of three years for most master’s graduates
Choosing a PGWP-eligible programme at a PGWP-eligible institution before you enrol is one of the most important decisions in your study-in-Canada journey, since it shapes both your work rights and your longer-term pathway to permanent residence.
Study in Canada
Navigating Canada’s entry requirements involves many moving parts, from the PAL and proof of funds to language testing and PGWP eligibility, and the rules shift frequently.
StudyIn’s counsellors track these changes closely and support students through every stage, from choosing a PGWP-eligible programme to preparing a complete, well-documented study permit application. Book a free consultation to get a clear, personalised plan for studying in Canada.
FAQs
What is the minimum bank balance needed for a Canada study permit?
Outside Quebec, a single applicant must show at least CAD 22,895 in living costs for the first year, on top of first-year tuition and return travel. In Quebec, the living-costs figure is CAD 24,617. These amounts are reviewed annually.
Do I need a Provincial Attestation Letter to study in Canada?
Most undergraduate, college, and post-graduate certificate applicants need a PAL or TAL. Master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt as of 1st January 2026, as are K-12 students and some other exempt categories.
What is the Canada study permit cap for 2026?
IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, including 155,000 for new international students and 253,000 extensions. Up to 180,000 of the new permits are for applicants who require a PAL or TAL.
What English test scores do I need for a Canada study permit?
Your institution sets its own admission requirement, which varies by programme. For post-graduation work eligibility, you separately need CLB 7 for degree programmes and CLB 5 for college diplomas and certificates.
Can I get a study permit without a Provincial Attestation Letter?
Only if you fall into an exempt category, such as master’s or doctoral study at a public DLI, K-12 study, or certain exchange programmes. Most other applicants must include a valid PAL or TAL with their application.
How long does it take to process a Canada study permit application?
Processing times vary by country and by season. Check the current processing times on the IRCC website before you apply, and submit your application as early as possible once you have your letter of acceptance and PAL.
