A study permit for Canada is the document that allows an international student to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) and, for many graduates, it is the first step on a realistic path to permanent residence. In this guide you will learn how the study permit system works in 2026, including the provincial attestation letter (PAL) and the national cap, how to choose a programme that keeps you eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), exactly how much money you must show, which documents to prepare, how to apply step by step from Jordan or elsewhere in the Arab world, and what happens after graduation.
The rules changed more between 2024 and 2026 than in the previous decade: a cap on new permits, PAL requirements, the closure of the Student Direct Stream, new language requirements for the PGWP and tighter limits on spousal work permits. Everything below reflects those changes, but amounts and processing times move, so always confirm the current figures on the official IRCC study in Canada page.
Why Study in Canada? (And Why It Is Still a Strong PR Pathway)
Canada remains one of the most popular destinations for students from Jordan, the Gulf, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and North Africa for reasons that go beyond the quality of its universities and colleges. Most importantly, Canada lets you work while you study and, after graduation, work full-time on a post-graduation work permit.
That combination matters because Canada's Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028 targets roughly 380,000 new permanent residents per year, with a growing share drawn from people who are already in Canada on temporary status. In other words, the system is designed to convert successful students and workers into permanent residents. Canadian education also earns extra points under the Comprehensive Ranking System, and one year of skilled Canadian work experience opens the Canadian Experience Class, which is explained in our Express Entry guide.
How the Canada Study Permit Works: DLI, PAL/TAL and the Study Permit Cap
A study permit is not a visa. It is a permit that authorises you to study in Canada at a specific type of institution for a specific period, and it is normally valid for the length of your programme plus 90 days. Citizens of Jordan and most Arab countries also receive a temporary resident visa (TRV) in the passport when the permit is approved, which is the document that allows you to board the plane and enter Canada. If you are unsure how entry works on arrival, see our guide to travelling to Canada and airport entry.
Designated learning institution (DLI)
Only a designated learning institution (DLI) approved by a province or territory to host international students can issue a letter of acceptance that supports a study permit. All primary and secondary schools are automatically designated; post-secondary institutions appear on the official DLI list published on canada.ca, which also shows whether their programmes make graduates eligible for a PGWP. Check the list before you pay a deposit: an acceptance from an institution that is not designated cannot be used for a study permit, and an acceptance from a designated institution whose programmes are not PGWP-eligible can leave you without work rights after graduation.
Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL)
Since 22 January 2024 most new study permit applicants must include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or territorial attestation letter (TAL) with the application. The letter confirms that your seat counts within the province's allocation under the national cap on new study permits. The cap continued in 2025 and 2026, and since 2025 master's and doctoral students also need a PAL. Your institution requests the letter on your behalf, usually after you accept the offer and pay a tuition deposit; you cannot apply for it yourself. Applications without a required PAL are returned, so confirm that your acceptance package includes it before you submit. Primary and secondary students and most applicants extending a permit at the same institution and level are exempt, and in Quebec the Quebec acceptance certificate (CAQ) plays this role; verify the current exemption list on IRCC's site.
Choosing a Programme That Keeps You PGWP-Eligible
Public institutions vs public-private partnerships
Graduates of programmes delivered under public-private college partnerships (a private college teaching the curriculum of a public college) are not eligible for a PGWP. These programmes are often marketed aggressively abroad with lower tuition and easy admission. Always confirm on the official DLI list that the specific campus and programme are PGWP-eligible, not just the parent institution.
Field-of-study requirement for college programmes
Graduates of non-degree college programmes (certificates and diplomas) must now have studied in an eligible field of study linked to labour shortages, such as healthcare, trades, STEM, agriculture and certain education programmes, to qualify for a PGWP. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates from universities are not subject to the field-of-study restriction. The list is updated by IRCC, so verify that your chosen programme is still eligible shortly before you accept the offer.
The master's advantage
A master's degree carries three distinct advantages in 2026. First, master's graduates can receive a PGWP of up to three years regardless of programme length, even if the programme is shorter than two years. Second, spouses of master's students in programmes of at least 16 months can still apply for an open work permit, while spouses of most undergraduate and college students no longer can. Third, Canadian master's education earns higher CRS points than a one-year diploma, and several provincial nominee programmes, such as Ontario's Master's Graduate stream, target these graduates directly.
| Programme type | PGWP eligible? | Language for PGWP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University bachelor's, master's or PhD (public DLI) | Yes, no field-of-study restriction | CLB 7 in all four abilities | Master's graduates: up to 3 years regardless of programme length |
| Public college diploma or certificate in an eligible field | Yes, if the field is on the IRCC list | CLB 5 in all four abilities | Length matches the programme, 8 months to 3 years |
| Public college diploma in a non-eligible field | No | Not applicable | Verify the field list before accepting an offer |
| Public-private partnership college programme | No | Not applicable | Not eligible even if the curriculum belongs to a public college |
Study Permit Eligibility and Financial Requirements
To be approved for a study permit you must satisfy the officer on several points at the same time: you have a genuine acceptance from a DLI, you have the attestation letter if required, you can pay for your studies and living costs without working illegally, you have no criminal or medical inadmissibility, and you will respect the conditions of your permit and leave Canada when it expires unless you obtain another status legally. Wanting to stay permanently one day is allowed (dual intent is legal), but your immediate purpose must be genuine study.
How much money must you show?
Outside Quebec, the financial requirement is the sum of three items: your first-year tuition, CAD 22,895 in living expenses for a single applicant (the amount in force since 1 September 2025, up from 20,635) and the cost of transportation to and from Canada. If your spouse or children will accompany you, IRCC requires a higher amount for each family member; the exact figures are published in the IRCC table and should be checked when you apply. Quebec publishes its own amounts.
| Item | Amount | How to prove it |
|---|---|---|
| First-year tuition | As shown on your acceptance letter or invoice | Receipt of payment or proof that you hold the funds |
| Living expenses (single applicant) | CAD 22,895 (since 1 September 2025) | Bank statements, GIC, education loan, scholarship letter, sponsor's funds |
| Transportation | Cost of return travel | Estimate based on current fares |
| Each accompanying family member | Additional amount set by IRCC (verify the current table) | Same evidence as above |
Acceptable evidence includes a Canadian bank account in your name with money transferred to it, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian bank, proof of a student or education loan, bank statements for the past four to six months, a scholarship or funding letter, and a sponsorship letter from a parent with their own bank statements and proof of income. Funds held in Jordanian dinar or Gulf currencies are perfectly acceptable if the statements show a stable history; sudden large deposits without a documented source are one of the most common reasons officers doubt an application. Scholarships for international students exist at many institutions but are competitive and rarely cover the full cost, so do not build your funding plan on one until you hold the award letter.
Study permit documents checklist
- Valid passport (ideally valid beyond the full length of your programme)
- Letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), unless exempt
- Proof of tuition payment or deposit
- Proof of funds: bank statements (4-6 months), GIC certificate, loan letter, scholarship letter or sponsor's documents
- Study plan / statement of purpose explaining why this programme, why Canada and what you will do afterwards
- Academic transcripts and certificates (high school, bachelor's) with certified translations
- Proof of ties to your home country: employment letter, family responsibilities, property, business ownership
- Police certificate and medical exam if requested; custodianship declaration if you are under 18
- Certified translations into English or French of every Arabic document, with the original attached
Every Arabic document, from the family book and birth certificate to the employment letter and bank statements, must be translated by a certified translator. VisaPres provides certified legal translation accepted by 19 embassies, which removes one of the most frequent reasons files are returned as incomplete.
How to Apply for a Canada Study Permit Step by Step
Applications are submitted online through the IRCC secure account; the Canadian Embassy in Amman does not accept walk-in applications. Since the Student Direct Stream (SDS) closed on 8 November 2024, all applicants use the regular study permit stream, so there is no longer a separate fast track for any country.
- 1
Choose the programme and institution
Shortlist DLIs whose programmes are PGWP-eligible and fit your academic history. Apply to the institution 8-12 months before the intake, pay attention to admission language requirements and deadlines, and accept one offer.
- 2
Pay the deposit and obtain the PAL
Most institutions request the provincial attestation letter only after you accept the offer and pay a tuition deposit. Keep the receipt; it also serves as proof of tuition for the study permit.
- 3
Prepare your finances
Assemble bank statements for the past four to six months, arrange a GIC or Canadian account if you intend to use one, and gather sponsor documents. Avoid moving large sums into the account at the last minute.
- 4
Write the study plan
Draft a one- to two-page statement of purpose that connects your past education, the chosen programme and your career plan, and that addresses any gap or change of field.
- 5
Create your IRCC account and submit online
Complete the application forms, upload every document together with its certified translation, pay the CAD 150 study permit fee and the CAD 85 biometrics fee, and submit. Double-check every date and name against your passport.
- 6
Give biometrics at the VAC
After submission you receive a biometrics instruction letter. Book an appointment at the Canada Visa Application Centre operated by VFS Global (in Amman, Cairo, Beirut, Dubai, Riyadh, Doha and other cities) and attend with your passport. Biometrics are valid for 10 years.
- 7
Complete the medical exam if requested
Students staying longer than six months who have lived in a designated country are usually asked to complete an immigration medical exam with an IRCC panel physician. Book it promptly to avoid delays.
- 8
Respond to any request and receive the decision
IRCC may request additional documents or an interview. If approved, you receive a port-of-entry letter of introduction and the visa is placed in your passport. Present both at the Canadian border, where the officer issues the actual study permit.
Study Permit Fees, Costs and Processing Timeline
The government fees are modest compared with tuition, but the total cost of studying in Canada includes items that families often forget to budget for. The table below separates fixed IRCC fees from variable costs.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Study permit processing fee | 150 | Paid online at submission |
| Biometrics | 85 per person (170 maximum per family) | Valid 10 years; given at a VAC |
| Immigration medical exam | Set by the panel physician | Required for most stays over 6 months from designated countries |
| Language test (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, TEF, TCF) | Varies by provider | Results valid 2 years; also needed later for the PGWP |
| Tuition and living costs | First-year tuition + CAD 22,895 living (single applicant) | Must be proven at application |
How long does a study permit take?
Processing times for study permits depend on the country of application and the time of year, and for applicants in Jordan and the region they have ranged from several weeks to several months. The peak period before the September intake is the slowest. Check the live figure on the IRCC processing times tool and plan backwards from it.
Working While Studying in Canada and Bringing Your Spouse or Children
If your study permit authorises it, you may work off campus up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks such as the summer and winter holidays, without a separate work permit. You must be enrolled full-time at a DLI in a post-secondary programme of at least six months leading to a degree, diploma or certificate, and you can only start working once your programme has begun. On-campus work has no hour limit. Programmes with a mandatory co-op or internship require a separate co-op work permit.
- Exceeding 24 hours per week is a breach of permit conditions that can lead to loss of status and refusal of future applications.
- Work experience gained while you are a full-time student does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class, so treat it as income and networking, not as PR experience.
- You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada before your first day of work.
Spousal open work permits
Since 2024, open work permits for spouses are limited to spouses of master's students in programmes of at least 16 months, doctoral students and students in certain professional degree programmes such as medicine, law, nursing, education or engineering. Spouses of undergraduate and college students must qualify for a work permit on their own, for example through an employer with an LMIA, which is explained in our Canada work permit guide.
After Graduation: PGWP Rules and the Path to Permanent Residence
The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that lets eligible graduates work for any employer in Canada. It is issued once in a lifetime, so the programme you choose and the timing of your application matter.
PGWP eligibility in 2026
- Graduated from a PGWP-eligible programme of at least 8 months at an eligible DLI (most are public), having studied full-time in Canada except for the final semester.
- Apply within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of final marks, while holding valid status in Canada.
- Language results from an IRCC-approved test (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada) showing CLB 7 for university degree programmes or CLB 5 for college programmes, for applications since 1 November 2024.
- Non-degree college graduates must have studied in an eligible field of study; graduates of public-private partnership programmes are not eligible.
How long is the PGWP?
The permit's length matches the length of the programme: a programme of 8 months to 2 years gives a permit of the same length, and a programme of 2 years or longer qualifies for the maximum of 3 years. Master's graduates can receive up to 3 years regardless of programme length. Length is also limited by passport validity, so renew your passport before applying.
From PGWP to permanent residence
- Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry): after 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled work in Canada in a TEER 0-3 job within the last 3 years, with CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2/3), you can enter the Express Entry pool. No proof of funds is required and Canadian education adds 15-30 CRS points.
- Provincial nominee programmes: many provinces run graduate streams, such as Ontario's Master's and PhD Graduate streams, and an enhanced nomination adds 600 CRS points. See our Provincial Nominee Program guide.
- Category-based Express Entry draws in healthcare, STEM, trades, education and French proficiency can favour graduates in those fields; learning French while you study is one of the highest-return investments you can make.
Writing a Study Plan That Convinces the Officer: Tips for Arab Applicants
The study plan (also called a statement of purpose or letter of explanation) is the single document that ties the whole file together. Officers reviewing applications from Jordan, Egypt, Iraq or the Gulf read hundreds of them, and the ones that fail usually share the same weaknesses: generic praise of Canada, no link between past studies and the new programme, and silence about what happens after graduation.
- Explain the progression. A bachelor's in civil engineering followed by a master's in construction management is logical; a bachelor's in pharmacy followed by a one-year diploma in business is not, unless you explain the career reason convincingly.
- Explain why Canada and why this institution, with specifics: accreditation, co-op placements, a professor's research, a programme that does not exist at home.
- Show the finances in words: who pays, how the funds were accumulated, and how the figures in the statements match the requirement.
- Address the obvious questions: a study gap, a previous refusal, an age older than typical students, a change of field, or a spouse and children staying behind.
- State your plan after graduation honestly. You may say that you would consider lawful options to stay if eligible, but your immediate purpose must be the programme itself; dual intent is permitted as long as the temporary purpose is genuine.
VisaPres reviews study plans line by line, because an application with strong finances and a weak narrative is refused just as often as the reverse.
Why Study Permits Are Refused: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Study permit refusals are usually explained in a short letter with checked boxes, and the underlying reasons repeat. Knowing them in advance lets you build the file around them.
- Purpose of study not reasonable: the programme does not fit your education or career, is below your current level, or is available at home at a fraction of the cost with no explanation.
- Insufficient or unexplained funds: statements that do not cover tuition plus CAD 22,895 plus transport, large deposits shortly before applying, or a sponsor whose own income cannot support the amounts shown.
- The officer is not satisfied you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay: weak family, employment or property ties, combined with a study plan that reads as an immigration plan.
- Missing or defective documents: no PAL when one is required, an acceptance from a non-designated institution, untranslated Arabic documents, or an expired language test.
- Previous refusals, overstays or misrepresentation: an undisclosed refusal in another country or inaccurate information can trigger a finding of misrepresentation with a five-year ban.
After a refusal you can request the officer's notes (GCMS notes) through a Canadian representative, correct the weaknesses and reapply with new evidence, or in limited cases seek judicial review at the Federal Court within 60 days if the decision was made outside Canada. Our article on Canada visa refusal reasons and how to reapply explains each option in detail.
How VisaPres Can Help You Study in Canada
VisaPres is an immigration consultancy and legal services office in Amman, Jordan, led by Dr. Maher Al-Dairi, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) with more than 25 years of experience. Our study in Canada service covers the whole journey, from selecting a PGWP-eligible programme to the permanent residence application after graduation, for students from Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and the Gulf.
- Programme and institution selection with a DLI and PGWP-eligibility check before you pay any deposit
- Proof-of-funds planning and review of bank statements, sponsor documents and GIC options
- Drafting and editing of the study plan / statement of purpose
- Preparation, typing and online submission of the complete study permit application, including family members
- Biometrics guidance and VAC appointment booking in Amman or other VFS centres
- Certified legal translation of transcripts, family book, bank and employment letters, accepted by 19 embassies
