Canada Student Visa Explained: Application, documents, process, post-study — all you need to know

What is the difference between a Canada Study Permit a visa

In Canada, a student visa allows entry into the country, while a study permit grants permission to remain and pursue education. After receiving admission to a programme at a Canadian institution, applicants must apply for a study permit, which is essential for continuing their studies.

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When your study permit application is approved, you won’t receive the permit immediately. Instead, an international student will be issued a port of entry letter of introduction confirming eligibility to study, along with a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or an electronic travel authorisation (eTA), if required.

These documents act as a student visa, authorising travel but only conditionally allowing entry. Upon arrival at a Canadian airport or port of entry, the student will undergo a brief study permit interview with a Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer, who will ask about studies and check supporting documents.

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While studying in Canada, it is essential to comply with all the conditions of the study permit and ensure it remains current. Some permits allow international students to work off-campus, while others restrict employment to on-campus opportunities.

If an international student changes their name or address, they must update their permit profile information. It is important to understand the limitations of the permit; for instance, although students previously could switch colleges or universities without applying for a new permit, however, rules introduced in November 2024 require an applicant to apply for an extension of their current study permit if they wish to change their post-secondary institution.

What are the documents you need to submit to apply for a Canadian visa

A student must submit a student visa application online through the official CIC website — canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application.html–, and they may apply up to three months before their planned travel date to Canada.

Requirements to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit

–Acceptance letter from a recognised educational institution

–Valid passport or travel document

–Proof of financial support for yourself and any accompanying family members

Financial Proof Must Cover

–Tuition fees

–Living expenses (for yourself and family members, if applicable)

–Return transportation costs (for yourself and family members)

Additional Conditions

–Must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record (police certificate may be required)

–Must be in good health (medical exam may be required)

–Must attend a personal interview at the Canadian embassy or consulate

Acceptable Proof of Financial Support

–Documentation of a Canadian bank account in your name (if funds transferred to Canada)

–Documentation of a student/education loan from a financial institution

–Bank statements

–Bank draft in convertible currency

–Proof of tuition and accommodation fee payments

–Letter of financial support from a person or institution

–Proof of scholarship or Canadian-funded programme support

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Is there a mandatory English requirement?

To obtain a Canadian visa, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language, typically by passing a recognised test that proves their communication skills. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the widely used English test for study, work, and migration, is accepted by over 11,000 institutions, employers, professional bodies, and governments across 140 countries.

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For admission to undergraduate programmes in Canada, a minimum overall IELTS band score of 6.0 is required, with no individual band lower than 5.5, while postgraduate applicants must achieve at least a 6.5 overall band score, with no band lower than 6.0.

Are there any Post-study work opportunities?

To work in Canada after graduation, a student must obtain a work permit. Graduates from designated learning institutions may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows them to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Even if they are not eligible for a PGWP, they may still be able to work in Canada after completing their studies, and the experience they acquire could help them meet the requirements for permanent residence in the future.

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The fee for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada is $255, while the cost to restore student status is $396.25.

An international student must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of completing their Canadian study programme, and in most cases, the application must be submitted online. To be eligible, they must hold a valid study permit, possess a visitor record to cover the period between their studies and the start of their PGWP, or have successfully renewed their student status before applying.

The duration of the PGWP depends on the length of your study programme. Beginning February 15, 2024, graduates of master’s programmes shorter than two years (but at least eight months) may be eligible for a three‑year PGWP, provided all other requirements are met.

If you complete a programme on an accelerated schedule, the PGWP will reflect the original programme length; for instance, finishing a 12‑month programme in 10 months could still yield a 12‑month permit. For programs lasting two years or more, the PGWP can be valid for up to three years. If you complete more than one eligible programme within two years, the durations can be combined, and if the total length is at least two years, a student may qualify for a three‑year PGWP.