Study in Canada: fewer seats, clearer rules
Canada has cut the number of study permits sharply since 2024. A degree from a public university still leads to a work permit of up to three years; a diploma from a private college often does not.
At a glance
| Student visa | Study permit, with a letter of acceptance and, for most students, a provincial attestation letter (PAL) |
|---|---|
| Visa costs | CA$150 study permit fee + CA$85 biometrics |
| Money to show | CA$23,448 for one person (applications from 1 September 2026), plus first-year tuition. Quebec sets its own amount |
| Work while studying | Up to 24 hours a week off campus during term |
| After graduation | Post-graduation work permit (PGWP): as long as the programme, up to 3 years; 3 years for any master's of 8 months or more |
| Language for PGWP | CLB 7 for degree graduates, CLB 5 for college programmes |
| Main intakes | September; January and May at many colleges |
| Official site | canada.ca/study |
Rules and fees change often. Confirm every figure on canada.ca before you pay or apply.
What changed recently
- About 155,000 new study permits were planned for 2026; the 2027 cap had not been published on 4 November 2026.
- From 1 January 2026, master's and PhD students at public institutions do not need a PAL and fall outside the cap.
- Money to show rose to CA$23,448 on 1 September 2026.
- Spouse work permits are now limited to partners of master's, PhD and some professional-degree students.
Your year, step by step
Public or private college?
Many private colleges teach a public college's curriculum under licence. Their graduates are not eligible for a PGWP. Before you accept an offer, confirm on canada.ca that the institution is a designated learning institution and that the programme leads to a PGWP.
Before you pay any agent or university
- Check the university on the country's official list (linked above), not on the agent's brochure.
- Pay fees only to the university's own bank account, never to an agent's account.
- Look up the institution on IRCC's list of designated learning institutions, and check PGWP eligibility for the exact programme.
Still deciding between countries?
Compare all eight on money to show, work rights and the years you can stay after your degree.