Study Permit 2026
Canada Study Permit: PAL Rules & GIC Requirements
Complete guide to Canada's international student reforms — Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL), increased GIC cost of living threshold ($20,635 CAD), DLI cap allocations, and visa approval strategies.
2024–2026 Study Permit Cap & PAL Reforms: Most undergraduate and college study permit applicants must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued by the province where their DLI is located. Master's and doctoral students are exempt from the PAL requirement.
Updated Financial Requirements ($20,635 CAD GIC Threshold)
IRCC requires international students to demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation:
| Financial Proof Component | Minimum Requirement (2026) | Acceptable Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Year Tuition Fee | Full 1st year tuition amount | Official tuition payment receipt from DLI or liquid bank deposit. |
| GIC (Cost of Living) | $20,635 CAD (Single Student) | Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from participating Canadian financial institution (Scotiabank, CIBC, SBI Canada, ICICI). |
| Accompanying Spouse / Dependent | +$5,055 CAD (Spouse) / +$3,892 CAD per Child | Proof of additional liquid funds or bank balance. |
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Rules & Exemptions
Provinces (Ontario, BC, Alberta, Quebec) allocate PAL quota caps to individual Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs):
- Who MUST have a PAL: Undergraduate diploma, certificate, and bachelor's degree applicants applying from outside Canada.
- Who is EXEMPT from PAL: Master's degree students, Doctoral (PhD) students, elementary/high school students (K-12), and in-Canada study permit extenders.
Frequently Asked Questions (Study Permit)
Exemptions include: Master's degree students, Doctoral (PhD) students, elementary and secondary school (K-12) students, and students applying for a study permit extension from within Canada.
Upon landing in Canada and opening a personal checking account at your issuing bank, ~$4,000 CAD is immediately released into your account. The remaining balance is disbursed in equal monthly installments over 12 months.
The IRCC study permit application fee is $150 CAD, plus $85 CAD for biometrics collection (if applicable).
Yes. Eligible full-time study permit holders at DLIs can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled academic breaks (summer/winter holidays).
If refused, your GIC bank will refund your $20,635 CAD deposit minus administrative fees upon receiving the official IRCC refusal letter.
Yes! Under IRCC's updated rules, public colleges and public universities offer full PGWP eligibility, whereas private career colleges under curriculum licensing agreements are no longer eligible for PGWPs.
Official Government References & Sources
• IRCC Study Permit Official Eligibility: canada.ca/study-permit-guide
• IRCC Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Rules: canada.ca/pal-attestation
Study Permit Quick Facts
GIC Requirement$20,635 CAD
PAL Required?Yes (except Master's/PhD)
Visa Fee$150 CAD