Study permit Canada:
from acceptance letter to permanent residence
Work 24 hours a week during your studies, earn a post-graduation work permit of up to 3 years, then convert Canadian experience into PR. Here is exactly how the 2026 system works.
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A Canadian study permit is much more than a student visa. It is the entry ticket to a globally recognized degree, up to 24 hours a week of paid work during your studies, a post-graduation work permit of up to 3 years, and one of the clearest routes to permanent residence. In 2026, IRCC will accept 309,670 study permit applications under the national cap, so a complete, well-argued file matters more than ever. This guide walks you through every step, from choosing your school to your PR pathway.
Studying in Canada in 2026: what you need to know
Canada now manages international student volumes through a national cap: 309,670 study permit applications will be accepted for processing in 2026. Most post-secondary applicants must also include a provincial or territorial attestation letter with their application. The practical consequence: incomplete or generic files are the first to fail. Quality beats speed.
Your route depends on your destination province. Quebec is a two-step process: first the CAQ issued by the MIFI, then the federal study permit from IRCC, for a total of 4 to 8 months. Outside Quebec (Ontario, BC, Alberta and the rest), you apply directly to IRCC and the process typically takes 2 to 4 months. In both cases, IRCC processing itself runs about 8 to 12 weeks after biometrics.
Quebec · CAQ required
- · Step 1: CAQ from the MIFI (4 to 8 weeks)
- · Step 2: study permit from IRCC (8 to 12 weeks after biometrics)
- · Total: 4 to 8 months from admission to permit
- · Bonus: the PEQ offers a fast PR route to Quebec graduates
Rest of Canada · direct permit
- · One application, directly to IRCC
- · Typical total: 2 to 4 months
- · Proof of funds: $22,895 CAD plus first-year tuition
- · PR route: PGWP then Express Entry (CEC)
Policy change · June 27, 2026
The temporary policy that allowed work permit holders to study without a study permit has ended. Since June 27, 2026, if you hold a Canadian work permit and want to enrol in a program longer than 6 months, you need a study permit before you start. Plan the switch early to avoid an interrupted semester.
How to get a study permit: 6 steps
- 1Choose a DLI and a program · Only Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) can host international students. Pick a PGWP-eligible program if you want to work after graduation.
- 2Get your letter of acceptance · Apply to the institution and receive an official letter of acceptance. Allow 4 to 12 weeks depending on the school and intake.
- 3Apply for the CAQ (Quebec only) · Studying in Quebec requires a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec issued by the MIFI before the federal permit. Allow 4 to 8 weeks.
- 4Prepare your proof of funds · Outside Quebec: $22,895 CAD for a single applicant plus first-year tuition. Quebec: the amounts set by the CAQ financial scale.
- 5Submit your IRCC application · File the study permit application online: forms, letter of explanation (SOP), fees and supporting documents. A complete, coherent file is what wins.
- 6Biometrics, medical and decision · Give biometrics at the visa application centre in your country, pass a medical exam if required, then receive the decision and your letter of introduction.
Proof of funds: how much and how to show it
Insufficient or poorly documented funds are the number one reason study permits get refused. Outside Quebec, a single applicant must show $22,895 CAD for living expenses plus first-year tuition, with higher amounts for accompanying family members. For Quebec, the amounts follow the CAQ financial scale set by the MIFI.
Just as important as the amount: the story your money tells. Visa officers look at where the funds come from, how long they have been in the account and whether the source is credible. A large unexplained deposit a week before applying raises more questions than it answers.
Accepted as proof of funds
- · Personal bank statements covering the last 4 months
- · Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian bank
- · Sponsor letter with proof of income (often a parent)
- · Official student loan approval letter
- · Confirmed scholarships, grants or bursaries in writing
- · Receipt showing first-year tuition already paid
Working during your studies · and after (PGWP)
Your study permit doubles as a work authorization. Full-time students at a DLI can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks, with no separate work permit. That income funds part of your studies and starts building the Canadian experience employers want to see.
24 h/week during sessions
Off-campus work for any employer, plus full-time work during summer and scheduled breaks. Build your network and your resume from day one.
PGWP: up to 3 years
Graduate from an eligible DLI program and receive an open work permit of up to 3 years, depending on your credential and program length.
Check PGWP eligibility first
Language courses and some preparatory or short programs do not qualify for a PGWP. We verify eligibility before you commit to a school.
Experience that counts for PR
Skilled work on a PGWP feeds the Canadian Experience Class in Express Entry and the PEQ in Quebec. Your job strategy is your PR strategy.
Is your profile ready for a 2026 intake?
Free eligibility check · response within 24 hours.
Bringing your spouse and children
Studying in Canada does not have to mean leaving your family behind, but the rules now depend on your level of study. Spousal open work permits are reserved mainly for spouses of students enrolled in master's, doctoral and professional degree programs. Children can accompany you and attend Canadian public schools.
Your spouse
An open work permit is possible when you study at the graduate or professional level (master's, doctorate, medicine, law, engineering and similar). At other levels, your spouse can still apply for a visitor visa or their own study or work permit.
Your children
Minor children can accompany you and attend Canadian public elementary and secondary schools. Family applications are filed together, so the whole plan has to be coherent: one weak file can sink the group.
From study permit to permanent residence
The sequence is proven: Canadian diploma, then PGWP, then skilled work experience, then PR. Outside Quebec, one year of skilled Canadian experience makes you a strong Canadian Experience Class candidate in Express Entry, with 30 CRS points for Canadian study on top. In Quebec, graduates who reach French oral level 7 can file through the PEQ with no draw and no points grid.
The program you choose today determines which PR doors open in three years. That is why we plan the exit before the entry.
Express Entry guide PEQ guideWherever you are applying from
Our Montreal team works with students worldwide, in 4 languages.
India
- Refusal-proof strategy: strong SOP, clean financial history, program coherence
- Guidance on Ontario, BC and Quebec options that actually lead to a PGWP
- Full support in English from Montreal
Nigeria & West Africa
- Proof-of-funds strategy built around the most common refusal reasons
- Program selection matched to your budget and career goals
- Support in English and French
Philippines & Southeast Asia
- Healthcare, tech and trades programs in high demand across Canada
- PGWP planning from day one for the fastest PR pathway
- Family accompaniment options reviewed case by case
Middle East & Latin America
- Service in Arabic, Spanish, English and French
- Premium support for families relocating together
- Business, engineering and graduate programs strategy
Why work with SOS Hub Canada
CICC-regulated consultant
Your file is handled under the supervision of a consultant regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, from our office at 3737 Crémazie Est #402, Montreal.
1,000+ families supported
Students and families from India, Nigeria, the Philippines, the Gulf, Latin America, Europe and Africa. Rated 4.3/5 across 276 Google reviews.
Service in 4 languages
English, French, Arabic and Spanish. You and your family get answers in the language you are most comfortable with.
PR strategy from day one
We do not just file forms: we pick the DLI, program and province that keep your PGWP and permanent residence options open.
Clear pricing, flexible payment
Study permit packages start at $697 CAD and run up to $3,997 for full family support, payable in 2, 3 or 4 instalments at no extra cost. You know the total before we start, and every package includes the eligibility review, document strategy and IRCC submission for its scope.
Study permit: frequently asked questions
How long does a Canada study permit take in 2026?+
How much money do I need for a study permit?+
Can I work while studying in Canada?+
What is the PGWP and how long does it last?+
Can my spouse and children come with me?+
Does a study permit lead to permanent residence?+
Prefer reading in French? See the full guide: Permis d'études Canada (guide FR)
1,000+ families supported
Ready to study in Canada?
Book a consultation with our Montreal team: school and program shortlist, proof of funds review and a clear plan for your intake. One session is enough to know exactly where you stand.