Canada student visa guide

A study permit lets you study at a designated learning institution in Canada. Most applicants need a letter of acceptance and a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL), and Quebec has its own acceptance certificate. You apply online, give biometrics and may need a medical exam.

Use the guide below as a planning reference, then check the official source before you pay anything or submit an application.

Tips from experience

• Check that the institution has a DLI number before you pay any deposit.
• Write a clear and honest letter of explanation about why you chose that programme.
• Keep funds in an account you can trace and explain, and avoid sudden large deposits.
• Check the PAL or TAL exemption rules for your level of study before you apply.
• Respond to any IRCC request for documents before the deadline.
• Treat fee and funds figures as indicative and confirm them on the IRCC pages.

Documents most applicants need are marked required. Others depend on your case or on what the office asks for. Build a printable checklist.

• Valid passport Required

• Letter of acceptance Required

  From a designated learning institution.

• Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL) Required

  Needed in most cases. Check the exemptions, including some master's and doctoral programmes.

• Proof of funds Required

  Bank statements, GIC certificate or other evidence of the full amount.

• Passport photograph Required

  Follow the IRCC photo specifications.

• Academic transcripts and certificates Required

• Biometrics Required

  Fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre, unless still valid.

• Fee payment receipts Required

• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) If asked

  Needed only if you will study in Quebec.

• Proof of language ability If asked

  Ask your institution which test and score it accepts.

• Letter of explanation If asked

  Recommended. Explain your study plan and ties to your home country.

• Immigration medical exam If asked

  Required in some cases, using an approved panel physician.

• Police certificate If asked

  Required if IRCC asks for one.

• Study plan or statement of purpose If asked

  Helps show a genuine study intention.

Indicative government fees only. School fees, translations, tests, courier and service charges are extra.

Living funds

CA$23,448 for one year

Basis

IRCC sets a minimum yearly living cost for a single applicant, and you must also show first year tuition and return travel costs on top of that figure.

Tuition included

No, add your first year tuition

Indicative. The figure shown applies to applications from 1 September 2026 and IRCC updates it periodically. Add your first year tuition and travel costs, and add the IRCC amount for each accompanying family member. Check the current rate on the IRCC financial support page.

Typical decision time

IRCC processing times vary by country and by time of year, so check the IRCC processing time tool for the current estimate for Nigeria.

How early you can apply

You can apply once you have a letter of acceptance and, where required, a PAL or TAL, usually several months before your course starts.

Latest sensible time to apply

Apply at least three to four months before your course start date, because biometrics and any medical exam add time.

1. 1

   Get a letter of acceptance

   Apply to a designated learning institution (DLI) and obtain the letter of acceptance for a programme that qualifies for a study permit.

2. 2

   Get your PAL or TAL

   Most applicants need a provincial or territorial attestation letter from the institution or province. Quebec applicants need a CAQ instead, and some programmes are exempt.

3. 3

   Prepare proof of funds

   Show the yearly living cost, your first year tuition and travel costs, and any amounts for family members. Use bank statements or a GIC from a Canadian bank.

4. 4

   Book medical and police checks

   Arrange an immigration medical exam with an approved panel physician if IRCC asks for one, and get a police certificate if required.

5. 5

   Apply online

   Create an IRCC account, complete the study permit application and upload your documents. Include a clear letter of explanation about your study plans.

6. 6

   Pay and give biometrics

   Pay the application and biometrics fees, then book your biometrics appointment. Nigerian applicants usually attend a visa application centre in Lagos or Abuja.

7. 7

   Wait for the decision

   Track the file in your IRCC account and respond quickly to any request for more information. Do not book non-refundable travel until you have a decision.

8. 8

   Travel and collect your permit

   If approved, you receive a letter of introduction. Present it, your passport and your documents to the border officer to receive your study permit.

Work and post study rules change often. Confirm them on the official source before you plan around them.

• The officer was not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies.
• Funds were insufficient or the source of funds was unclear.
• The purpose of the study did not seem reasonable, for example weak links between your background and the programme.
• The PAL, TAL or CAQ was missing or did not match the application.
• Documents were incomplete, inconsistent or did not appear genuine.
• The letter of acceptance was not from a designated learning institution.

Refused before? Read what to do after a visa refusal.