Study Permit Documents: What Canada Requires

To study in Canada as an international student, you must apply for a study permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The documents you need depend on your country of residence, your school, and your personal circumstances, but the core requirement is an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI) plus proof that you can support yourself financially while in Canada. IRCC does not publish one fixed list of documents that applies to every applicant, so you must check the official “Get a study permit” page for the current checklist before you submit anything.

Start with the official IRCC study permit page

The authoritative starting point is the IRCC page titled “Study in Canada as an international student.” It links directly to the application instructions, the eligibility questions, and the designated learning institution search tool. If you are beginning a study permit application, that page should be your first stop. It also tells you how to sign in to your study permit account, which is where you will submit your application and upload your supporting documents.

The same page covers the main stages of the process: deciding whether you need a study permit, choosing a school, applying, extending your permit, and working while you study or after you graduate. Each of those stages has its own sub-page with specific requirements. Do not rely on a single checklist found elsewhere, because the requirements can change and the official page is the only version that is current.

Who needs a study permit

Before gathering documents, confirm that you actually need a study permit. IRCC provides a short set of questions to help you determine whether you need one. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you plan to study at a designated learning institution in Canada, you will almost certainly need a study permit. There are limited exceptions, such as short courses or certain family situations, but the default for most international students is that a permit is required.

You also need to check whether your school is a designated learning institution. Only DLIs can accept international students, and only a letter of acceptance from a DLI will support a study permit application. IRCC maintains a searchable list of designated learning institutions, and you should confirm your school appears on it before you apply. If your school is not a DLI, your study permit application will not be accepted.

The core documents IRCC asks for

IRCC does not publish one universal checklist that lists every document for every applicant. The exact documents vary by country, by whether you are applying from inside or outside Canada, and by your individual situation. However, the study permit application generally requires the following categories of evidence, all of which are described on the official IRCC pages.

Document category	What it shows	Where IRCC describes it
Acceptance letter	You have been admitted to a DLI	“Get a study permit” page
Proof of financial support	You can pay tuition and living costs	“Get a study permit” page
Identity documents	Passport, photos, and personal identification	“Get a study permit” page
Letter of explanation	Why you want to study in Canada and your plans after	“Get a study permit” page
Provincial attestation letter (if applicable)	Provincial or territorial confirmation of your place	“Get a study permit” page
Medical exam or police certificate (if required)	Health and admissibility	“Get a study permit” page

This table is a summary of the categories that appear on the official page. It is not a substitute for reading the actual instructions. IRCC may add or remove requirements, and some applicants will need additional documents such as a Quebec acceptance certificate or a custodian declaration for minors. You must verify the current list on the official page before you apply.

Proof of financial support

A study permit application requires you to prove that you can pay for your tuition, your living expenses, and your return transportation. IRCC does not publish a fixed dollar amount on the main study permit page, so you must check the current financial requirements on the official page. The amount can change, and it may differ depending on where you will study and how long you will stay.

Acceptable proof typically includes bank statements, a letter from a financial institution, proof of a student loan, or a scholarship letter. If someone else is funding your studies, you will need to show their financial documents and a letter confirming they will support you. IRCC may also ask for proof that the funds have been in your account for a certain period, so it is best to start assembling financial evidence well before you apply.

Acceptance letter from a designated learning institution

Your acceptance letter must come from a designated learning institution. It should state your name, your program, the start and end dates, and any conditions attached to your admission. If your offer is conditional, you may need to show that you have met the conditions before you apply for the study permit. IRCC will not accept a letter from a school that is not on the DLI list.

If you plan to change schools after you arrive in Canada, note the rule that took effect on November 8, 2024: you can no longer change schools on the same study permit. To change schools, you must apply for a new study permit by extending your current one. This means your acceptance letter matters not just for your initial application but also for any later change, so keep your original letter and any new acceptance letter on file.

Other documents you may need

Depending on your country of citizenship and your personal circumstances, IRCC may require additional documents. These can include a medical examination from an approved panel physician, a police clearance certificate, or a provincial attestation letter if you are applying for a program in a province that requires one. Some applicants may also need to provide biometrics, which are collected at a visa application centre.

If you are a minor child, the requirements are different. IRCC has a dedicated page for minors who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and it explains what is required for them to study in Canada. If you are applying as a graduate student, there is also a separate page covering master’s and doctoral studies, including information about bringing family members and faster processing for doctoral students.

How to verify the document list before you apply

Because the requirements can change, you should never rely on a third-party summary or an outdated checklist. The only reliable way to know what documents you need is to read the current IRCC instructions on the official study permit page. Start with the “Get a study permit” section, which tells you who can apply, how to apply, and what to expect when you arrive in Canada.

You should also sign in to your study permit account, because the application portal will generate a personalised document checklist based on your answers to the eligibility questions. That checklist is the most accurate guide for your specific situation. If you are unsure whether a document is required, check the official page for your country of residence, because IRCC sometimes publishes country-specific instructions.

What to do next

Before you submit anything, confirm three things on the official IRCC pages: that your school is a designated learning institution, that you have the current financial proof required, and that you have read the full application instructions for your situation. Then sign in to your study permit account and follow the checklist the portal generates. If you are changing schools, remember that you need a new study permit, not just a new letter.

Verify the current requirements on the IRCC “Study in Canada as an international student” page and the “Get a study permit” page before you apply. Those pages are the only authoritative source for the documents you need.