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Study in Canada from India
Study permit with a set living-cost amount, 24 hours a week of off-campus work, and a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Checked on official sites · 14 Oct 2026Permit
Study permit
Fees
CAD 150 + CAD 85 biometrics
Living-cost funds
CAD 23,448/yr (from 1 Sep 2026)
After graduation
PGWP up to 3 years
Intakes
September is the main intake; many colleges and universities also start in January, and some in May. Dates vary by institution.
Study permit: step by step
- Get a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Get a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) through your school, or a CAQ for Quebec, unless you're exempt
- Gather proof of funds and other documents (police certificate or medical if required)
- Apply online before you travel and pay the fees
- Give biometrics within 30 days of your instruction letter
- Wait for a decision; processing starts after biometrics are received
Processing starts once your biometrics are received. Check IRCC's online processing-time tool for current times.
Fees and money you need to show
- Visa fees
- CAD 150 study permit fee plus CAD 85 biometrics (maximum CAD 170 per family for biometrics).
- Proof of funds
- Tuition, return travel and living costs. Living costs outside Quebec for a single applicant: CAD 23,448 a year for applications made on or after 1 Sep 2026. Quebec sets its own amount.
Work, English and family
- Work while studying
- Off campus up to 24 hours a week during academic sessions; no limit during scheduled breaks.
- After graduation
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): for programmes of 8 months to under 2 years, up to the length of the programme; 3 years for programmes of 2 years or more, and for Master's programmes of 8 months or more. You can get it only once. Language test needed: CLB 7 for university graduates, CLB 5 for college graduates.
- English tests
- Set by each institution for admission; there's no language test for the study permit itself. The PGWP needs CLB 7 (university) or CLB 5 (college).
Recent changes
- 1 Sep 2026: living-cost funds raised to CAD 23,448 a year.
- 1 Jan 2026: Master's and doctoral students at public institutions exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement.
- 22 Jan 2025: a new PAL/TAL is needed to change schools.
- 1 Nov 2024: PGWP language requirement introduced.