Canada Study Visa for Bachelors: Requirements, Eligibility, Process & Documents for Indians
Eligibility, PAL rules, fees, and the 2026 IRCC process — everything Indian students pursuing a Canadian undergraduate degree need to know, from official IRCC sources.
Varies by country — check IRCC tool
CAD 150
Program duration + 90 days
Canada Study Visa for Bachelors is a temporary resident permit issued by IRCC to pursue an undergraduate degree at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI). It is designed for Indian students who have completed 10+2 and plan to enrol in a three-year or four-year bachelor's degree. The permit is valid for the duration of your program plus 90 days. It authorises on-campus work and up to 24 hours per week of off-campus work during academic sessions.
Applicants must submit a valid Letter of Acceptance, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), and proof of funds covering tuition plus CAD 22,895 per year in living costs, effective September 1, 2025. Benefits include a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years and a pathway to permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class. Note: the Student Direct Stream closed on November 8, 2024, and spouses of bachelor's students are no longer eligible for an Open Work Permit as of January 21, 2025.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canada Study Visa for Bachelors?
- Indian students who have completed 10+2 or equivalent with marks meeting the DLI's undergraduate admission threshold
- Applicants holding a confirmed Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution in Canada
- Students enrolled (or enrolling) in a full-time bachelor's degree program at a public or eligible private DLI
- Applicants able to secure a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL or TAL) before submission
- Students able to demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition, annual living costs, and return travel
- Applicants in good health, willing to complete an upfront medical examination from an IRCC-panel physician
- Applicants with no criminal record, ready to submit police clearance certificates if requested
- Students who can satisfy an immigration officer of their intent to leave Canada at the end of authorised stay
A bachelor's applicant must also satisfy the visa officer of genuine study intent and sufficient ties to India. See canada.ca/study-permit for the complete eligibility framework.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canada Study Visa for Bachelors?
- Minimum Age: Typically 18+ for undergraduate admission; IRCC sets no statutory minimum, and minors require a Canadian custodian
- Education: Completion of 10+2 (higher secondary / 12th grade) or equivalent, plus admission to a DLI bachelor's program
- Language Test: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall (6.5 preferred) — TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAEL also accepted; SDS fast-track ended November 8, 2024
- Letter of Acceptance: Mandatory — must be issued by an IRCC-approved Designated Learning Institution
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): REQUIRED for undergraduate applicants — the January 1, 2026 PAL exemption applies only to master's and doctoral students, NOT to bachelor's
- Proof of Funds (Living): CAD 22,895 per year for a single applicant (effective September 1, 2025), plus first-year tuition and return-travel costs
- Government Application Fee: CAD 150 per study permit application or extension
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 per applicant, captured at a VFS Canada centre in India
- Medical Exam: Upfront e-Medical with an IRCC-panel physician required for stays over 6 months from India
- Statement of Purpose: Required — a clear SOP or study plan explaining program choice, career goals, and intent to return
- Police Clearance: On request by the visa officer; not automatic for every applicant
- Work Rights: Off-campus up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions; unlimited on-campus and during scheduled breaks
- Application Mode: Online via an IRCC Secure Account (paper filing only for accessibility exemptions)
- Visa Validity: Length of study program + 90 days, as shown on the study permit
- PR Pathway: PGWP up to 3 years → 1 year (1,560 hours) skilled NOC TEER 0-3 work → Express Entry CEC or a PNP graduate stream
- Spouse Open Work Permit: Spouses of bachelor's students are NOT eligible for an OWP (rule effective January 21, 2025)
- Dependent Children — Schooling: Minor dependent children can attend Canadian K-12 public schools without a separate study permit
- Maximum Age: No formal IRCC maximum; older applicants must clearly evidence study intent
Documents
What are the documents required for Canada Study Visa for Bachelors?
- Valid Indian passport with validity at least as long as the intended stay in Canada, plus two recent digital passport-size photographs meeting IRCC specifications (white background)
- Completed application form IMM 1294 (Application for Study Permit) and Family Information Form IMM 5707
- Statement of Purpose or study plan letter explaining program choice, career goals, and intent to return to India
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, plus official academic transcripts (notarised if required by the DLI)
- Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) — mandatory for bachelor's applicants (the January 2026 PAL exemption applies only to master's and doctoral students)
- Language test results — IELTS Academic (typically 6.0 to 6.5 overall), TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAEL, or Duolingo if accepted by the DLI; TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French-medium programs
- Tuition fee receipt for the first year or proof of payment
- Proof of funds — Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 22,895 (strongly recommended), bank statements for the last 4 to 6 months, education loan sanction letter from a scheduled Indian bank, or affidavit of financial support and sponsor's income proof if funded by parents or relatives, plus a return-travel funds buffer
- Co-op work permit letter from the DLI (only if your program includes a mandatory co-op placement)
- Upfront medical examination results (e-Medical) from an IRCC-approved panel physician in India
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) collected at a VFS Canada centre, plus a Police Clearance Certificate from India if requested by the visa officer
- Custodian declaration if the applicant is under 18, and proof of ties to home country — property, family, or employment evidence — to satisfy dual-intent
- Additional documents and requirements may vary based on the specific Canada Bachelors study visa, applicant profile, or immigration pathway
Application Process
How to Apply for Canada Study Visa for Bachelors: Step-by-Step Process
Secure Admission to a DLI and a PAL
Apply to Canadian universities or colleges offering bachelor's programs that match your academic profile. Confirm the institution is an IRCC-approved Designated Learning Institution and accept the offer. Your DLI coordinates the Provincial Attestation Letter with the province on your behalf — you need the PAL before submitting the IRCC application.
Sit Your Language Test
Book IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or a DLI-accepted equivalent well in advance of your intake. Most Canadian universities expect IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall. For French-medium programs, take TEF Canada or TCF Canada instead.
Arrange Your Finances
Pay the first-year tuition deposit and organise proof of living costs. A Guaranteed Investment Certificate of CAD 22,895 from a participating Canadian bank is the most reliable proof, though bank statements plus a sanctioned education loan also work. Include a return-travel buffer on top.
Complete Upfront Medical Examination
Book an e-Medical appointment with an IRCC-panel physician in India. The physician uploads the report directly to IRCC. Keep your passport and the medical confirmation receipt ready — you will upload it with your application.
Create an IRCC Account and Submit Online
Open an IRCC Secure Account and complete form IMM 1294. Upload the LOA, PAL, financial proof, academic documents, language test results, medical confirmation, and passport copy. Pay the CAD 150 study permit fee and CAD 85 biometrics fee online.
Submit Biometrics at a VFS Centre
After submission, IRCC issues a Biometrics Instruction Letter. Book a VFS Canada appointment in India and complete fingerprints and photo within 30 days. IRCC reuses your biometrics for 10 years for future applications.
Receive Port of Entry Letter and Travel
On approval, IRCC issues a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction and an eTA or study permit counterfoil as applicable. Present the POE Letter at a Canadian airport or land border — a CBSA officer issues the physical study permit on arrival.
A Canadian bachelor's degree is one of the strongest long-term investments an Indian student can make in 2026. The study permit unlocks world-class undergraduate education, part-time work rights of up to 24 hours per week, and a direct 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit that seeds your permanent-residence pathway. Start your DLI and PAL process at least 6 to 9 months before your intended intake.
The rules shifted significantly between 2024 and 2025: the Student Direct Stream closed, off-campus work hours moved from 20 to 24 per week, and spousal work permits were removed for bachelor's students. Always verify the latest figures and timelines on canada.ca before you apply. A well-prepared application grounded in current rules gives you the best chance of approval and a clean pathway to PGWP and Canadian PR.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore Canada Study Visa FAQs guide to know the answers of all your questions.
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