A study permit is a document issued by IRCC that authorises a foreign national to study in Canada at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Most foreign nationals need a study permit to pursue academic, vocational, or professional studies in Canada that last longer than 6 months. The study permit framework was significantly reformed in 2024 with the introduction of an annual international student cap and the provincial and territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) requirement, designed to manage the volume of study permit approvals. Further changes took effect in 2026, including an exemption from the PAL/TAL requirement for master's and doctoral students at public DLIs.

For current study permit eligibility, the PAL/TAL requirement, and application procedures, refer to the IRCC study permit page.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), s 210–215 — study permit requirements and DLI designation framework
• IRCC: Study permit — canada.ca/study-permit
• IRCC: Provincial attestation letter — canada.ca/pal
• IRCC: 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap — canada.ca/2026-student-allocations
• Guide 5269 — Applying for a Study Permit Outside Canada

Who needs a study permit

A study permit is required for foreign nationals who will:

• Study at a post-secondary institution (university, college, cégep, private career college) in Canada
• Pursue any academic, vocational, or other programme that is longer than 6 months

Exemptions from the study permit requirement include:

• Short programmes of 6 months or less (these may still be studied on a visitor visa — but entry as a student with a visitor visa has been scrutinised more closely since the cap reforms)
• Certain diplomatic and government-sponsored students
• Minor children attending primary school in Canada where a parent holds an eligible status (e.g., the parent has a valid work permit)

Designated Learning Institution (DLI) requirement

A study permit can only be issued if the applicant has been accepted by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) — a school, college, or university that has been approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. DLIs are listed on the IRCC website. Acceptance by a non-DLI institution does not qualify for a study permit. For the current DLI list, refer to the IRCC study permit page.

Provincial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) — 2026 requirements

Since January 2024, most study permit applicants must include a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their application. The PAL/TAL confirms that the student has a space within the province or territory's annual allocation under the international student cap. Key points for 2026:

• The PAL/TAL is issued by the school (which obtains it from the province/territory) after the student accepts an offer of admission
• The PAL/TAL must be valid (issued in the applicable cap year) when the study permit application is submitted
• Exemption for master's and doctoral students (from January 1, 2026): students enrolled at a public DLI for a master's or doctoral programme are no longer required to submit a PAL/TAL. This exemption recognises the distinct nature and value of graduate research programmes
• Other study permit applicants — undergraduate, college, and private institution students — continue to require a PAL/TAL

For detail on how the cap and PAL/TAL system works, see the provincial attestation letter page and the international student cap page.

Language and financial requirements

Study permit applicants must demonstrate:

• Language proficiency: English or French ability sufficient to succeed in the academic programme — typically evidenced by an IELTS, TOEFL, TEF, or other approved language test result meeting the DLI's admission requirements
• Financial capacity: sufficient funds to pay tuition and living expenses for the duration of study — IRCC sets minimum financial thresholds, and applicants from certain countries face additional scrutiny on financial documentation

Work rights on a study permit

Study permit holders are generally permitted to work in Canada without a separate work permit:

• Off-campus work: up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions (this was temporarily increased from 20 to 24 hours per week — refer to the IRCC page for the current limit, as this has changed over time)
• During scheduled breaks (winter holiday, summer break): unlimited hours off-campus
• On-campus work: unlimited hours

For current off-campus work hour limits, refer to the IRCC study permit page.

Study permit and temporary resident visa

For nationals of countries that require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada, the study permit application and TRV application are processed together — a study permit approval includes a co-issue TRV. For nationals of eTA-eligible countries, a study permit does not automatically include entry authorisation and an eTA is needed to travel to Canada. For nationals of visa-exempt countries, no additional document is needed to travel. For details on TRVs, see the TRV page.

PGWP pathway

A key benefit of studying in Canada is eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after completing a qualifying programme at an eligible DLI. The PGWP allows graduates to gain Canadian work experience, which in turn may support a permanent residence application through the Canadian Experience Class or other categories. PGWP rules changed significantly in 2024. For current PGWP eligibility and duration, see the PGWP post-2024 page.

The study permit reforms of 2024–2026 represent a significant shift in Canada's approach to international students — the country moved from a largely open-door policy to a managed cap system, driven by concerns about housing affordability, infrastructure pressure, and the quality of some private institutions' programmes. The PAL/TAL exemption for master's and doctoral students reflects a policy judgment that graduate researchers contribute significantly to Canadian research and innovation, and should not be subject to the same volume controls as undergraduate and college enrolment. For current cap allocations by province, the list of eligible DLIs, financial thresholds, and the application document checklist, refer to the IRCC study permit page.