Study PermitVerified 2026-04-13Canada Study Permit
A Canada Study Permit allows Indian students to study full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. As of January 1, 2026, doctoral students no longer need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Processing for doctoral students is now faster (target 2 weeks). Students can also bring their family and work in Canada after graduation.
Reply within 5 minutes · 5★ from 90 Google reviews
Processing
Varies by profile
Stay Duration
Duration of your approved study program + 90 days
Starting Fee
CAD $150
Apply At
10 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Canada visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in Canada.
- 2Biometrics (fingerprints + digital photo) are required for most applicants — valid for 10 years.
- 3Do NOT submit your passport to VAC until you receive the Passport Request Letter from IRCC.
- 4Effective Feb 24, 2026: Biometric appointments require you to upload the BIL via the new AMS system.
- 5Effective Oct 9, 2023: Only the applicant, parents (for minors), or 1 appointed family member can submit passports at VAC — not unauthorized third parties.
- 6Not accepted as identity documents: passports from Somalia, non-machine-readable Czech passports, temporary South African passports, provisional Venezuelan passports.
- 7VFS online tracking shows passport LOCATION only. For application processing status, check your IRCC online account directly.
Who Can Apply
- Students with acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, diploma, certificate programs
- Doctoral students (faster processing + no PAL as of Jan 2026)
- Specific graduate programs (no cap)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Programs at non-DLI institutions
- Short-term courses under 6 months (can use visitor visa)
- Applicants without proof of financial support
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Canada cases — and win them.
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Study Permit application fee | CAD $150 |
| Biometrics fee — individual | CAD $85 |
| Biometrics fee — family | CAD $170 |
| VFS service charge — per package | ₹603 |
| Two-Way Courier Service | ₹1,716 |
| Premium Lounge service | ₹4,767 |
| SMS Tracking Service | ₹179 |
All IRCC government fees are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) and paid directly to IRCC online. VFS service charges are paid in INR at the VAC. Fees are subject to change — verify on IRCC (canada.ca/immigration) and VFS Global (vfsglobal.com/ind/en/can) before applying. Third-party costs (medical exam, police clearance, translation) may also apply. Tuition + proof of funds (minimum CAD $20,635/year for living expenses) are separate from these fees.
Documents Required
Required — Academic Documents
- !Letter of Acceptance from DLI
Official letter from the Designated Learning Institution confirming your admission
- ○Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
⚠️ NOT required for doctoral students as of January 1, 2026. Required for most other programs.
- !Proof of financial support
Sufficient funds for tuition + CAD $20,635/year living expenses. Bank statements, sponsor affidavit, scholarship letter, or education loan.
- !Academic transcripts and certificates
All previous education records — 10th, 12th, Bachelor's, Master's as relevant
Required — Common Documents
- !Valid passport
Valid for entire stay
- !Family Information Form (IMM 5645)
For applicants 18+
- !Biometrics fee payment
- !Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Explains why you chose this program, this institution, and your post-study plans
- !IELTS / TOEFL / language proficiency
Minimum required by your DLI — varies by program
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
The journey.
8 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Get acceptance from a DLI
Apply to Canadian Designated Learning Institutions. Wait for an official Letter of Acceptance.
- 02
Gather financial proof
Bank statements, education loan, sponsor affidavit, or scholarship. Minimum CAD $20,635/year for living expenses + full tuition.
- 03
Obtain PAL (if required)
Provincial Attestation Letter from the province where your DLI is located. NOT required for doctoral students from Jan 1, 2026.
- 04
Apply online via IRCC Portal
Create an IRCC account, fill out the Study Permit application, upload all documents, pay CAD $150 + biometrics fee.
- 05
Wait for BIL (Biometric Instruction Letter)
IRCC emails the BIL after application submission.
- 06
Book VAC appointment for biometrics
Via the AMS system. Attend the VAC — biometrics captured.
- 07
Wait for decision
Doctoral students: 2-week target. Other programs: variable processing time.
- 08
Receive Port of Entry Letter + Study Permit
If approved, IRCC sends you a letter. The actual Study Permit is issued when you arrive at a Canadian port of entry.
What works
7 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Apply at least 4-6 months before your program start date.
- Doctoral students get fastest processing + no PAL requirement as of Jan 1, 2026 — big advantage.
- Your Statement of Purpose is critical — tell a clear story of why this program, why Canada, and your return plans.
- Canada's minimum living expense requirement is CAD $20,635/year — demonstrate you have this in liquid funds.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Insufficient proof of funds
- 2Weak Statement of Purpose
- 3Missing PAL (for programs that still require it)
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Visitor Visa Application Form (IMM 5257)
Download latest version from IRCC. Required for all visitor/tourist visa applications.
Family Information Form (IMM 5645)
Mandatory for all applicants 18 years and older. Lists all family members.
Use of Representative Form (IMM 5476)
Only if using a representative to submit your application.
Authority to Release Information (IMM 5475)
Optional — authorizes someone else to receive updates about your application.
VFS Application Centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Canada Study Permit is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need a PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) for 2026?+
How much money do I need to prove for a Canada Study Permit?+
Can I work in Canada while studying?+
Can my family come with me?+
What happens after I graduate?+
Can SureshotVisa help with Canada Study Permit?+
Before you apply
Two ways to apply for your Canada canada study permit.
Do it yourself
the risky route
- You guess which papers Canada actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
With SureshotVisa
the approved route
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Canada canada study permit file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind 70% of Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive canada study permit on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by students & parents
We've helped many students & parents get their Canada visa — the easy way.
From first-time canada study permit applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided students & parents through Canada's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
Other Canada Visa Types
Canada Tourist Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa (TRV) from India. Complete guide on IRCC fees, documents, biometrics, application process through VFS Global, and 10 VAC centres across India.
Canada Business Visitor Visa (TRV)
Canada Business Visitor Visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, conferences, and business events in Canada. Stay less than 6 months. Not entering the Canadian labor market.
Canada Work Permit — Informational
Canada Work Permit — informational guide for Indian applicants. SureshotVisa does NOT handle work permit procurement; this page is for information purposes only.
Canada Family Visit Visa (TRV)
Canada Family Visit Visa for Indian citizens visiting family who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents, or persons registered under the Indian Act. Up to 6 months.
Canada Spousal Visit Visa (TRV — Spouse of PR Sponsor)
Canada Spousal Visit Visa for Indian spouses whose Canadian partner has sponsored them for Permanent Residence. Faster processing available while PR application is in progress.
Canada Compassionate Visit Visa (TRV — Urgent Family)
Canada Compassionate Visit Visa for urgent visits due to critical illness, death, or other humanitarian reasons. Priority processing available with strong supporting evidence.
Canada Seafarer / Marine Crew Visa (TRV)
Canada Seafarer / Marine Crew Visa for Indian seafarers joining a vessel as crew in Canadian ports. Temporary Resident Visa for duration of contract.
Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — For Visa-Exempt Nationals
Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — important information for Indian citizens. Most Indians need a Tourist Visa (TRV), NOT an eTA. eTA is for visa-exempt nationals.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Canada website and Embassy of Canada. Last verified 2026-04-13. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
Ready?
We'll handle the Canada canada study permit file end-to-end.
₹199 · refundable · honest Yes / Maybe / No in 24h · credited to any service you book.