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
Program Details
Canada Bachelors Study Visa: Full Program Specifications & Immigration Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Study permit (temporary resident) |
| Official Program Name | Study permit — bachelor's degree |
| Program Stream | Regular study permit stream (Student Direct Stream ended November 8, 2024) |
| Visa Category | Temporary resident — study |
| Points Based | No (study permit is not points-based; CRS applies later at PR stage) |
| CRS Applicable | No for study permit; CRS applies at PR stage via Express Entry |
| Province Specific | Partly — the study permit is federal, but the PAL is issued by the province of study |
| Leads to PR | Yes, via PGWP plus Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or a Provincial Nominee Program |
| Leads to Citizenship | Yes, after obtaining PR and meeting the 1,095-day physical presence rule |
| Minimum Age | No statutory minimum in IRCC rules; minors require a Canadian custodian |
| Maximum Age | No formal maximum; older applicants must show clear study intent |
| Education Requirement | Completion of 10+2 (higher secondary) or equivalent, plus admission to a DLI undergraduate program |
| Language Test Required | Yes in most cases — IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAEL, or DLI-accepted equivalent |
| Minimum Language Score | No IRCC-fixed minimum; DLIs typically expect IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall, with no band below 5.5–6.0 |
| Work Experience Required | No |
| Minimum Work Experience (Years) | 0 |
| Job Offer Required | No |
| LMIA Required | No |
| Admission Required | Yes — a valid Letter of Acceptance from a DLI is mandatory |
| Investment Required | No |
| Minimum Investment Amount (CAD) | Not applicable |
| Financial Proof Required | Yes — tuition, annual living costs, and return-travel funds |
| Settlement Funds Required | Yes — must meet the IRCC cost-of-living threshold plus tuition and travel |
| Settlement Funds Amount (CAD) | CAD 22,895 per year for a single applicant (effective September 1, 2025) plus first-year tuition plus return travel; amount updated annually with LICO |
| Medical Exam Required | Yes for stays over 6 months from India; upfront e-Medical with an IRCC-panel physician is standard |
| Police Clearance Required | On request by the visa officer; not automatic for all applicants |
| Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Requirement | Mandatory for undergraduates — the master's and doctoral PAL exemption effective January 1, 2026 does NOT apply to bachelor's applicants |
| Biometrics Required | Yes — fingerprints and photo at a VFS Canada centre in India |
| Interview Required | Rarely; only if the visa officer specifically requests one |
| Government Application Fee (CAD) | CAD 150 per study permit application or extension |
| Biometrics Fee (CAD) | CAD 85 per applicant |
| Additional Fees (CAD) | VFS service charges, medical exam cost, language test fees, GIC purchase fee (if used), and courier fees |
| Average Processing Time | Varies by visa office — check the IRCC processing-times tool (no SDS fast-track from November 8, 2024) |
| Application Mode | Online via an IRCC Secure Account (paper filing only for accessibility exemptions) |
| Visa Validity | Length of your study program plus 90 days, as shown on the study permit |
| Extension Allowed | Yes — you can apply to extend if your program continues or you change DLI or program |
| Work Rights | On-campus work unlimited; off-campus up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions; unlimited during scheduled breaks |
| Study Rights | Full-time study at the DLI named on the study permit, subject to permit conditions |
| Spouse Can Apply | Yes — on a visitor record, own study permit, or (limited) work permit pathways |
| Spouse Can Work | No — spouses of bachelor's students are NOT eligible for an Open Work Permit (rule effective January 21, 2025) |
| Children Can Apply | Yes — dependent children can accompany you as temporary residents |
| Children Can Study | Yes — minor children can attend Canadian K-12 public schools without a separate study permit |
| PR Eligibility After | After obtaining a PGWP and gaining 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 |
| Citizenship Eligibility After | Once you become a PR and accrue at least 1,095 days of physical presence within the preceding 5 years |
| Minimum Physical Presence Required | Not applicable to study permits; for citizenship, 1,095 days in the 5 years before applying |
| PR Pathway Name | Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class, or a Provincial Nominee Program stream for international graduates |
| Minimum PR Points Required | FSW grid threshold of 67/100 (if FSW); CRS cut-off for Express Entry draws fluctuates — no fixed requirement |
| Official Source URL | canada.ca/study-permit |
* Data sourced from official IRCC publications. Fees and processing times subject to change — verify at canada.ca before applying.
Document Checklist
Documents Required for Canada Bachelors Study Visa: Complete Checklist & Preparation Guide
Basic Documents
- Valid Indian passport(validity at least as long as intended stay)
- 2 recent digital passport-size photos(IRCC specs, white background)
- Completed application form IMM 1294
- Family Information Form (IMM 5707)
- Statement of Purpose or study plan letter
Educational Documents
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
- Letter of Acceptance from the DLI
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL)(mandatory for undergraduates)
- Official academic transcripts(notarised if required by the DLI)
Work Documents
- Not required for most bachelor's applicants
- Internship letters(optional, if relevant to your study plan)
- Co-op work permit letter from the DLI(only if the program has a mandatory co-op placement)
Financial Documents
- Tuition fee receipt for the first year or proof of payment
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 22,895(optional but strongly recommended)
- Bank statements for the last 4 to 6 months showing sufficient funds
- Education loan sanction letter from a scheduled Indian bank(if applicable)
- Affidavit of financial support and sponsor's income proof(if funded by parents or relatives)
- Proof of return-travel funds
Language Documents
- IELTS Academic score report(typically 6.0 to 6.5 overall)
- TOEFL iBT score report(accepted alternative)
- PTE Academic, CAEL, or Duolingo(if accepted by the DLI)
- TEF Canada or TCF Canada(if studying in a French-medium program)
Additional Supporting Documents
- Upfront medical examination report (e-Medical) from an IRCC-panel physician
- Police Clearance Certificate from India(if requested by IRCC)
- Biometrics — fingerprints and photo at a VFS centre
- Custodian declaration(required if the applicant is under 18)
- Proof of ties to home country(property, family, employment — to satisfy dual-intent)
Note: Document requirements may vary by university and IRCC processing stream. Always verify the latest checklist at canada.ca before applying.
Application Process
Step-by-Step Canada Bachelors Study Visa Application 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 the Canada Bachelors FAQ on the Canada Study Visa hub.
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