Study in Canada as an International Student: Complete 2026/27 Guide

To study in Canada as an international student, you first get admitted to a program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), then use that letter of acceptance (plus, in most cases, a provincial attestation letter) to apply online for a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You must also prove you can pay first-year tuition, living costs and return travel.

This guide walks you through the whole journey for students from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Egypt: choosing an English-taught program, applying, the study permit and its caps, real costs, scholarships, work rules and staying after graduation. Each step links to a detailed guide.

Is Canada a good choice for you?

Canada offers a very wide range of English-taught programs, a work-while-studying right and a post-graduation work permit. But it is not cheap, and since 2024 the federal government has capped the number of study permits. For 2026, IRCC said it expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits: 155,000 to newly arriving students and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students (IRCC notice, 25 November 2025).

That means competition is real and your application must be complete and convincing. Read our honest pros and cons of studying in Canada before you commit money to application fees.

The journey at a glance

1. 1

   Shortlist programs at DLIs

   Use the official EduCanada program search and check every school on the DLI list. If you want to work after graduating, confirm the school and program are PGWP-eligible.

2. 2

   Check entry requirements

   Each institution decides how it recognises your school certificate or degree. See Canada university admission requirements.

3. 3

   Take an English test

   Most universities ask for IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, PTE or CAEL. Many undergraduate programs ask for IELTS 6.5.

4. 4

   Apply to universities

   Apply directly on each university's portal, or through OUAC for Ontario undergraduate programs. Step by step: how to apply to universities in Canada.

5. 5

   Accept the offer and get your PAL/TAL

   After you accept and pay a deposit, your school usually requests the PAL/TAL for you. In Quebec you apply for a CAQ instead.

6. 6

   Apply for the study permit

   Apply online with your letter of acceptance, PAL/TAL or CAQ, proof of funds and other documents, then give biometrics. Full checklist: Canada student visa guide.

7. 7

   Travel and arrive

   If approved, you get a port-of-entry letter of introduction. The border officer issues the actual study permit when you arrive.

Choosing English-taught programs and universities

Canada has two official languages. Most universities outside Quebec teach in English, while many Quebec universities teach in French. FindUniPath tracks 93 Canadian universities; 72 of them list English-taught programs in our database, with 4,085 bachelor's, 2,653 master's and 1,230 doctoral program entries. Large English-taught catalogues include the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McGill, the University of Alberta and the University of Ottawa.

Our guide to English-taught programs in Canada explains where to find them and what IELTS or TOEFL scores you need.

Applying: portals, intakes and timing

There is no single national application system. You apply to each university by its own deadline. Ontario universities use the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) for undergraduate applications, and British Columbia has EducationPlannerBC. Many universities take applications directly.

Most programs start in September (fall), and some also admit in January (winter) or May. Undergraduate deadlines for fall 2027 entry are mostly between November 2026 and March 2027. For example, the University of Toronto's international undergraduate deadline for fall 2027 is 15 January 2027, and UBC's is also 15 January 2027 (U of T deadlines).

The study permit, PAL/TAL and caps

International students in programs longer than six months need a study permit. If you also need a visitor visa, it is issued automatically with your study permit approval at no extra cost (IRCC eligibility).

• PAL/TAL: most new post-secondary students need a provincial or territorial attestation letter. It must be valid on the day you apply and cannot be from a previous cap year.
• Exempt since 1 January 2026: students applying to master's or doctoral programs at a public DLI, among other groups listed by IRCC.
• Quebec: you need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead of a PAL/TAL, including for master's and PhD.
• Fees: study permit CAN$150 plus biometrics CAN$85 (IRCC fee list).
• Student Direct Stream: the faster SDS stream ended on 8 November 2024. Everyone now applies through the regular stream.

What it costs

Statistics Canada reports average international tuition for 2026/27 of CAN$42,062 for undergraduate and CAN$24,693 for graduate programs, with big differences by province. Ontario had the highest undergraduate average (CAN$50,088) and Newfoundland and Labrador the lowest (CAN$18,911).

See the full breakdown, including cheaper provinces and application fees, in our cost of studying in Canada guide.

Scholarships: be realistic

Most Government of Canada scholarships listed on EduCanada are short-term exchanges for specific regions, and none names Afghanistan. For a full degree, your best chances are university entrance awards (for example, the University of Waterloo advertises new CAN$10,000 scholarships for international students applying to most of its programs) and graduate funding packages for research master's and PhD students. Details: scholarships in Canada for international students.

Working while you study and after you graduate

Eligible full-time students at a DLI can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during classes and unlimited hours in scheduled breaks, if their permit allows it and they have a Social Insurance Number. On-campus work has no hour limit (IRCC work off campus).

After graduation, you may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 180 days. Bachelor's, master's and PhD graduates need CLB 7 language results and have no field-of-study requirement. Read work and stay in Canada after graduation.

Health insurance and arrival

IRCC does not list health insurance among the study permit documents, because health coverage for international students is a provincial matter. Depending on the province, you may be covered by the provincial plan or need private or university insurance, so check your school's rules on EduCanada's health care page.

In Quebec you must have health and hospitalization coverage for your whole stay. Unless a social security agreement gives you provincial (RAMQ) coverage, you have 5 to 30 days after arrival to buy private insurance or join your institution's group plan. Memorial University, for example, lists international health insurance of CAN$548 among its 2026/27 fees.

When you land, bring your passport, the port-of-entry letter of introduction and your original documents (acceptance letter, PAL/TAL or CAQ, proof of funds). The border services officer checks them and issues your study permit. Read the conditions printed on it carefully: they decide whether you may work.

Applying from Afghanistan: what is different

• Afghanistan is on IRCC's medical exam list, so you need an exam with an IRCC panel physician for a study permit.
• Afghanistan is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so Afghan documents cannot be apostilled. Ask each university how it verifies Afghan certificates.
• Several universities publish Afghan-specific rules. Memorial University says it will consider applicants who face challenges getting official documents from Afghanistan, and UBC's graduate school waives the application fee for applicants whose citizenship and address are in Afghanistan.
• IRCC's special immigration measures for Afghans are closed and do not cover study permits. You apply like any other student.

More on documents in Canada documents, translation and legalization. You can also track deadlines for free on FindUniPath and see each university's official dates in one place, or browse the Canada country hub.

Mistakes to avoid

• Applying to a school that is not a DLI, or a program that does not lead to a PGWP when you plan to work afterwards.
• Waiting for an acceptance before booking an English test. Test dates and results take time.
• Using a PAL/TAL from a previous cap year. IRCC will not accept it.
• Showing only the minimum living-cost amount without tuition and travel money.
• Letting a relative translate your documents. IRCC does not allow applicants or family members to translate their own documents.