Canada · Student
Canada Study permit
Savings needed: CAD 23k+ a year ≈ $16k
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Study permit is a student route for Canada. Applicants need savings of CAD 23k+ a year ≈ $16k. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.
- Money needed
- CAD 23k+ a year ≈ $16k
- Government fees
- CAD 150 ≈ $110
- Processing
- Up to 60 days
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee CAD 150 ≈ $110; savings to show CAD 23k+/yr ≈ $16k; decision: up to 60 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government feesCAD 150 ≈ $110
- CAD 150 (≈ $110)Study permit processing fee.
Shown, not spentCAD 23k+/yr ≈ $16k · +6 more
- CAD 23,448 a year (≈ $16,400)Living expenses for the first year for 1 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 22,895 (≈ $16,000)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430).
- CAD 29,192 a year (≈ $20,500)Living expenses for the first year for 2 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 28,502 (≈ $20,000)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430).
- CAD 35,888 a year (≈ $25,100)Living expenses for the first year for 3 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 35,040 (≈ $24,500)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430).
- CAD 43,572 a year (≈ $30,500)Living expenses for the first year for 4 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 42,543 (≈ $29,800)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430).
- CAD 49,419 a year (≈ $34,600)Living expenses for the first year for 5 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 48,252 (≈ $33,800)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430).
- CAD 55,736 a year (≈ $39,000)Living expenses for the first year for 6 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 54,420 (≈ $38,100)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430).
- CAD 62,054 a year (≈ $43,500)Living expenses for the first year for 7 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 60,589 (≈ $42,400)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430).
CitizenshipAfter 3 years as a permanent resident
Each day as a temporary resident counts as half a day (maximum 365 days of credit), and you still need at least 730 days as a permanent resident within the 5 years before applying, for 1,095 days in total.
ProcessingUp to 60 days
The service standard is 60 days for new study permit applications from outside Canada and 120 days for applications inside Canada.
Where to applyFrom abroad
Apply before you travel to Canada.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Applications are made from outside Canada, not after arriving
- Needs a place at a school or university in Canada
What you'll need
What you must show1
- Proof of funds covers tuition, living expenses for the applicant and accompanying family, and transport for the first year.
Documents6
- A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution is required.
- For post-secondary students, the school validates the letter.
- A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) is required in most cases.
- The PAL/TAL is not needed for Quebec applicants (who need a CAQ), preschool to secondary, master's and doctoral programmes at public institutions and some other cases.
- A plan for the full programme is required.
- A medical exam, police certificate and letter of explanation are required where applicable.
Steps1
- The application is made before travelling.
What happens at day 183
How Canada decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in a calendar yearDay count used in the CRA residency decision flow (page wording: fewer than 183 days versus more than 182 days throughout the year); significant ties and treaty residence are assessed together with it.
- At least 183 days in a tax yearA person who sojourned in Canada in the year for 183 days or more is deemed resident for the whole year (Income Tax Act s.250(1)(a))
- Foreign-source income
Worldwide income for residents; Canadian-source income for non-residents
All tax rules for Canada Tax records checked
What you need to arrange
- Police certificate and civil documents
A medical exam, police certificate and letter of explanation are required where applicable
- Money to show
This route asks for savings of CAD 23k+ a year ≈ $16k.
Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.
Full official text
Permit to study at a designated learning institution; applicants prove funds for tuition, living costs and transport and, in most cases, hold a provincial or territorial attestation letter. 1 2 3 4
What you must show and pay
- Savings of at least CAD 23,448 a year (≈ $16,400) · Living expenses for the first year for 1 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 22,895 (≈ $16,000)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430). 3
- Savings of at least CAD 29,192 a year (≈ $20,500) · Living expenses for the first year for 2 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 28,502 (≈ $20,000)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430). 3
- Savings of at least CAD 35,888 a year (≈ $25,100) · Living expenses for the first year for 3 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 35,040 (≈ $24,500)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430). 3
- Savings of at least CAD 43,572 a year (≈ $30,500) · Living expenses for the first year for 4 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 42,543 (≈ $29,800)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430). 3
- Savings of at least CAD 49,419 a year (≈ $34,600) · Living expenses for the first year for 5 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 48,252 (≈ $33,800)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430). 3
- Savings of at least CAD 55,736 a year (≈ $39,000) · Living expenses for the first year for 6 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 54,420 (≈ $38,100)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430). 3
- Savings of at least CAD 62,054 a year (≈ $43,500) · Living expenses for the first year for 7 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. 1, 2026 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport (Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026: CAD 60,589 (≈ $42,400)). Each additional member over 7 adds CAD 6,318 (≈ $4,430). 3
- A fee of CAD 150 (≈ $110) · Study permit processing fee. 1
Requirements
- Proof of funds covers tuition, living expenses for the applicant and accompanying family, and transport for the first year. 3
- A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution is required. 2
- For post-secondary students, the school validates the letter. 2
- A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) is required in most cases. 4 2
- The PAL/TAL is not needed for Quebec applicants (who need a CAQ), preschool to secondary, master's and doctoral programmes at public institutions and some other cases. 4 2
- A plan for the full programme is required. 3
- A medical exam, police certificate and letter of explanation are required where applicable. 2 1
- The application is made before travelling. 2 1
Stay
- Permit length is set by the programme;.
Nationality
No nationality restriction.
Work
Work conditions follow the study permit; graduates may qualify for a post-graduation work permit.
Family
Spouse and dependent children can apply; a family member of a study permit holder does not need a letter of acceptance.
Official sources
- Study permit · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-04-24
- Study permit: get the right documents · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10
- Study permit: proof of financial support (living-expense table from Sept. 1, 2026) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-08-28
- Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10
- Apply for citizenship: who can apply (physical presence) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
- IRCC service standards · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
Study permit and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study permit | Needs savings of CAD 23k+ a year ≈ $16k | – | – |
| Student residence Mexico | Needs income of MXN 26k+ a month ≈ $1,410 | – | – |
| Student visa V Colombia | – | 2 yr | Yes |
| Student stay Costa Rica | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| Student visa Brazil | – | 1 yr, renewable | Yes |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Study permit?
Savings of at least CAD 23,448 a year (≈ $16,400). Living expenses for the first year for 1 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. Savings of at least CAD 29,192 a year (≈ $20,500). Living expenses for the first year for 2 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. Savings of at least CAD 35,888 a year (≈ $25,100). Living expenses for the first year for 3 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept. Savings of at least CAD 43,572 a year (≈ $30,500). Living expenses for the first year for 4 family member(s) for applications on or after Sept.
How long can I stay on the Study permit?
Permit length is set by the programme;.
How long does the Study permit take to process?
The service standard is 60 days for new study permit applications from outside Canada and 120 days for applications inside Canada.
Can I work on the Study permit?
Work conditions follow the study permit; graduates may qualify for a post-graduation work permit.
Can I bring my family on the Study permit?
Spouse and dependent children can apply; a family member of a study permit holder does not need a letter of acceptance.
How are Study permit holders taxed in Canada?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Study permit. The standard rules apply: Tax obligations follow residency status decided on all facts, mainly significant residential ties; residents report world income from all sources.
More in Canada
Study visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-10 against 6 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Study permit · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10
- Study permit: get the right documents · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10
- Study permit: proof of financial support (living-expense table from Sept. 1, 2026) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10
- Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-10
- Apply for citizenship: who can apply (physical presence) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
- IRCC service standards · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.