Canada Study Visa 2025: 7-Step Guide

The ambition of pursuing studies in Canada a country that has been praised globally due to its quality education, friendly culture and after-school employment opportunities, is more trending than ever. Nevertheless, obtaining your Canada Study Visa (also known as a Study Permit) is a task that requires careful planning and follow-through, given recent changes, particularly the introduction of the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and the 2025 changes to financial requirements.

It is a step-by-step tutorial that is both very interesting and is your official guide to knowing how to successfully go through the tedious process of application by international students interested in joining the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). We will help you understand the new rules and increase your chances of getting approved.

1. The Pre Application Checklist: Meeting Initial Eligibility

Before you even start the online application on your IRCC secure account (or using GCKey), you must satisfy fundamental requirements.

A. Secure Your Acceptance (LOA & DLI)

Designated Learning Institution (DLI): Acceptance into a DLI.1 The first one is to be accepted in a DLI.2 which is a school accredited to receive international students by a provincial or territorial government. It is always better to confirm that the official DLI listing before applying in order to make sure that the school is real.
Letter of Acceptance (LOA): You will need to include a non-negotiable, official LOA with the DLI.3 of your choice also this will have to be attached to your final application.

B. Obtain the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

The most significant update for 2025 is the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement.

Purpose: The PAL confirms that you have been counted within the national cap limit set for new international student admissions.⁴ Without this letter, your study permit application will be returned as incomplete (with some exceptions).
Process: After receiving your LOA, your DLI (or the province/territory itself) is responsible for providing you with the PAL. You cannot apply for it yourself.
Québec Exception: If you plan to study in Québec, the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the provincial government serves as your PAL.

Applicant Group	PAL CAQ Required?	Key Note
Undergraduate & College Students	Yes	Standard requirement for all new non-exempt applicants.
Master & PhD Students	Yes	Now required in 2025 though provinces have reserved allocations for graduate students.
Primary/Secondary Students	No	Exempt from the PAL CAQ requirement.
Existing Study Permit Holders (Extensions)	No	Exempt if applying to extend at the same DLI and level of study.

2. Updated Financial Readiness: Proof of Funds

Insufficient financial proof is a leading cause of refusal.⁵ IRCC has increased the minimum living expenses Canada requirement to match the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO).⁶

Required Funds Breakdown (Effective September 1, 2025)

You must demonstrate you have enough money to cover your:

First Year’s Tuition Fee (as stated on your LOA).
Travel Costs to Canada.
Living Expenses: CAD $22,895 for a single applicant (a rise from the previous CAD $20,635).

Family Members (Incl. Applicant)	Living Funds Required (CAD)
1 (Single Applicant)⁷	$22,895⁸
2⁹	$28,502¹⁰
3	$35,040

Acceptable Proof of Financial Support

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): a GIC of one of the partaking Canadian financial institutions is regarded as the most solid evidence.
The official bank statements of the last four months.11
Evidence of a student loan or education loan.12
Evidence of receiving paid tuition fee and on-campus housing (where applicable).13

3. The Canada Study Visa Application: Step by Step

Follow this structured approach to ensure a complete and timely submission to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Collect all necessary documents, including:

Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) CAQ
Passport copy bio-data page (must be valid beyond your intended stay)¹⁴
Proof of Financial Support (GIC, bank statements, etc.)¹⁵
Academic transcripts certificates (mark sheets, degree diploma)¹⁶
English proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, meeting your DLI’s minimum IELTS score).¹⁷
Statement of Purpose (SOP) Letter of Explanation (Crucial for showing ties to home country and academic progression).¹⁸
Custodian declaration (required for minors).¹⁹
Completed application form IMM 1294 (Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada).²⁰

Step 2: Create an IRCC Account and Apply Online

Access the IRCC website and start your application.²¹ The online system will generate a personalized document checklist based on your answers (e.g., applying from India or applying from Pakistan).²²
Pay the required fees: study permit fees CAD 150 plus the biometrics fee CAD 85.²³

Step 3: Biometrics Submission

After paying the fees, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL).²⁴
You must book an appointment and go to your nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) / VFS Global office to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).²⁵ Do this as soon as possible to avoid processing delays.²⁶

Step 4: Medical Exam & Interview

Depending on your country of residence (and if you have spent 6 consecutive months in certain countries), IRCC may require a medical exam.²⁷ This must be done by an IRCC authorized panel physician.
In some cases, the visa officer may call you for a formal interview.

Step 5: Decision and Port of Entry Letter

Once approved, you will receive a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction.²⁸ If you require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), it will be placed in your passport.²⁹
This letter is not your study permit; it simply allows you to travel to Canada.

4. Arrival in Canada and Post Study Life

Your journey is not complete until you land in Canada!

A. Landing and Receiving Your Permit

Upon arrival at the Canadian port of entry, present your:

Passport (with TRV, if applicable).³⁰
LOA and PAL/CAQ.
Port of Entry Letter of Introduction.
Proof of funds.

The Border Services Officer will review your documents and print your physical Study Permit.³¹ Ensure all details (DLI, name, expiry date) are correct before leaving the counter.

B. Opportunities After Graduation

A major benefit for many international students is the chance to stay and work in Canada after they finish their studies.

PGWP Qualification: Make sure to check if your school and study program qualify you for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Programs run through certain public-private college partnerships usually do not qualify.
Path to Permanent Residency: Getting valuable Canadian work experience through the PGWP is a strong way to eventually apply for permanent residency through programs like Express Entry.

C. What If Your Permit Expires?

If you need more time to finish your studies, you must apply for a study permit extension before your current permit expires.³⁴
If your permit has already expired, you may be eligible to restore student status within 90 days, but this involves additional fees and complexity.

5. Expert Tips for a Strong Application

In order to be successful in obtaining your Canada Study Permit, your application must demonstrate Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness (E-A-T). Your most significant weapon towards this is the Statement of Purpose (SOP): Use your SOP to explicitly describe how your education has developed, convince any gaps in your education (in particular, in adult learners), and demonstrate that you are tightly bound to your country of origin (a job, family, or property). This aids in demonstrating that you have intentions of going home when you are done with your studies.

Also, completeness is necessary. Check your individual IRCC checklist and ensure that you have not left anything out. In case you have recently deposited huge sums of money in your bank account, you would need to submit an elaborate Letter of Explanation in order to clearly show the origin of such money. Application that is not complete and an application that lacks the necessary PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) will be sent back or rejected at once.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I have no age limit on the Canada Study Visa?

A: Although there is no set distinguishing age, the visa officer has to be persuaded that your primary purpose is to study.36Older applicants are required to provide a very convincing SOP to substantiate your returning to study as connected to your career objectives in the home country.

Q: Could I be able to apply the study permit without the PAL/CAQ?

A: No, generally. In case of PAL/CAQ requirement in your province and level of study, your application will be sent back as an incomplete one. There are only a few exceptions (e.g., primary/secondary students, some exchange students).3

Q: How much is the new required amount of proof of funds?

A: By December 1, 2025, one applicant has to demonstrate CAD 22,895 in living expenses, not to mention tuition fees and travel expenses.39 The official IRCC site should always include the most recent LICO indexed amount.

Final Call to Action

The Canada study visa step by step process is rigorous but entirely manageable with proper planning.⁴⁰ Don’t let the new PAL and financial requirements deter you.