01
Core requirements
Each school sets its own entry requirements. For the study permit itself, you usually need five things.
- A letter of acceptance from a school on the DLI list.
- A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), or a CAQ for Québec. Master's and doctoral students at public institutions have been exempt from the PAL since 1 January 2026.
- Evidence of funds for first-year tuition, living costs and travel.
- English or French test results as your school requires.
- Biometrics, and a medical exam if requested.
02
Costs to plan for
Your total cost includes tuition, living costs, health insurance, application fees and flights. Tuition varies a lot between universities and colleges, provinces and fields, so get quotes directly from schools.
- Minimum living-cost evidence: CAD 23,448 for 12 months for a single applicant outside Québec (applications from 1 September 2026). This is a threshold, not your real cost of living.
- Study permit fee CAD 150, biometrics CAD 85.
- Health insurance depends on the province: some cover international students under the provincial plan, others require the school's plan.
Build your own item-by-item budget ↗Cost planner on the Du Học & Định Cư Canada resource site.03
Scholarships
Scholarships for Canada mostly come from the schools themselves, plus some provincial and federal programmes. Most are partial and based on grades and your application.
- Look for entrance scholarships on your school's site while applying; many are considered automatically with your application.
- Graduate students often get extra support through teaching or research assistantships, or supervisor funding.
- Read the conditions for keeping a scholarship, and note deadlines that fall before admission deadlines.
04
Choosing a school, province and course
In Canada the province matters almost as much as the school: it allocates PALs each year, sets health insurance rules, and decides the winter you will live through.
- Check the school's DLI number before paying a deposit.
- Know the difference between universities and colleges: PGWP rules later differ, from the language level to field-of-study requirements for some college programmes.
- Pick your intake early: September has the most programmes but also the most competition.
05
The study permit
The study permit is Canada's permission to study. You apply online once you have a letter of acceptance and, where needed, a PAL.
- Receive a letter of acceptance → get a PAL through your school (or a CAQ for Québec).
- Prepare financial documents, language results and personal documents.
- Apply through your IRCC account and give biometrics when asked. Changing school later requires a new study permit.
Study permit details↗06
Work rights and after graduation
During term you can work off campus up to 24 hours a week, with no limit during scheduled breaks. After graduating, the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is a common way to stay and work.
- A PGWP lasts up to 3 years depending on programme length; a master's of at least 8 months can get 3 years.
- Language results are required: CLB 7 for university degrees, CLB 5 for college programmes.
- Apply within 180 days of your school confirming you completed the programme.
07
From study to migration: the real picture
Studying does not automatically lead to permanent residency. PR in Canada goes through federal and provincial programmes that weigh work experience, language, education and demand at the time you apply. Study-permit caps and policy can change while you study.
- Choose a field because you want that career, then consider migration options.
- Follow official IRCC and provincial announcements rather than social-media rumours.
- Owen & Co. helps you understand options and prepare applications; we do not promise visa or migration outcomes.
