Canada Study Permit Documents Checklist

How to use this checklist

The documents you need for a Canada study permit depend on your country, your program, and your personal situation. IRCC generates a personalised document checklist for each applicant, and that official list is what you must follow.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Use the items below to understand the common building blocks, then confirm your exact, current requirements on the official Government of Canada source.

Acceptance and attestation documents

Two documents commonly sit at the centre of a study-permit application. The first is your acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). The second, for most applicants since January 2024, is a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) — or the Quebec equivalent — issued by your destination province or territory.

Confirm that your institution is on the official DLI list, and check whether a PAL is required for your case on the official Government of Canada source.

• Acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), or Quebec equivalent, where required
• Confirm DLI status and PAL need on the official source

Proof of funds

Applicants generally must include proof that they can cover tuition and living costs. Acceptable evidence may include a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), certain bank statements, or other documents IRCC accepts.

The required living-cost amount was raised in 2024, so do not rely on older figures. Verify the current amount and the accepted forms of proof on the official Government of Canada source before assembling this part of your file.

Identity and supporting documents

A valid passport or travel document is normally required, and applicants often need passport-style photographs that meet IRCC specifications. Depending on your situation, IRCC may also request additional items — for example, biometrics, a medical exam, academic transcripts or certificates, or a statement explaining your study plans.

Because these requirements vary by applicant and change over time, treat your IRCC personalised checklist as the authoritative list and confirm specifications on the official Government of Canada source.

• Valid passport or travel document
• Photographs meeting IRCC specifications, where required
• Possible extras: biometrics, medical exam, transcripts, or a study-plan statement

Putting your file together

Once you know which documents apply to you, prepare each in the format IRCC specifies and submit them through the official IRCC system with the applicable fees. Missing or incorrectly formatted documents can delay or affect an application.

Because requirements differ by country and change over time, always start from your IRCC personalised document checklist and verify each item on the official Government of Canada source. Submitting a complete file does not by itself guarantee approval — the decision rests with IRCC. This is general information only, not immigration advice.