Canada student visa from Pakistan: the study permit
To study in Canada you need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), usually a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL), and proof that you can pay your first year of tuition, living costs and travel. You apply online through your IRCC account and give biometrics at a visa application centre. The main fee is CA$150 (about PKR 29,200).
Last checked:
At a glance
- Main fee
- CA$150 (about PKR 29,200)
- Processing time
- Varies, see below
- Documents
- 10 on the list
- You need a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution.
- Most students also need a provincial or territorial attestation letter.
- You must show you can pay for tuition and living costs.
- Biometrics are usually required.
Fees
| Fee | Official amount | About in PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Study permit application | CA$150 | PKR 29,200 |
| Biometrics (per person) | CA$85 | PKR 16,500 |
Rupee amounts are a guide only, at the mid-market rate on October 8, 2026 (1 CAD = PKR 194.44). Your bank and the visa centre use their own rates.
Check the amount on the official source.
Official fee pages:IRCC fee listBiometrics
Processing time
Not confirmed
Varies by country of application; check the IRCC processing times tool.
Official source: Check processing timesDocuments you need
From our draft document list for this visa. Your own list depends on your situation, so check the official source.
Usually needed
Passport
Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution
Letter of acceptance from a DLI.
Bank statement / proof of funds
Proof of funds for tuition, living costs and travel.
Transcript / detailed marks certificate
Academic records.
Passport-size photograph (destination specification)
Digital photo to IRCC specifications.
Needed in some situations
Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL)
Provincial or territorial attestation letter, unless you are exempt (for example a master's or doctoral degree programme at a public DLI).
Immigration medical exam (panel physician)
Upfront medical exam by a panel physician (lived in Pakistan, stay over 6 months).
Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA)
Pakistan exit requirement, not a visa document: when you leave Pakistan you must show a NIMS/NADRA vaccination certificate including polio (the old paper card is no longer accepted, and since 14 September 2026 airports check a NADRA-integrated vaccination record). Verify current rules.
Can support your application
Statement of purpose / motivation letter
Letter of explanation / study plan.
English test result (IELTS TRF, PTE, CELPIP, TOEFL)
Language test result, if required by your school.
How to apply, step by step
Get a letter of acceptance
Apply to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and accept the offer.
Study permit: who can applyGet a PAL/TAL
Most applicants need a provincial or territorial attestation letter, usually requested through the school. Since 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral degree students at public DLIs are exempt.
Study permit: get the right documents (proof of financial support, PAL/TAL)Prepare proof of funds
Tuition for the first year, living costs for you and the family members who come with you, and travel costs.
Study permit: get the right documents (proof of financial support, PAL/TAL)Medical exam
Applicants who lived in Pakistan for 6+ months in the last year usually need an upfront medical exam for stays over 6 months.
Medical exams for visitors, students and workersApply online and give biometrics
Apply through your IRCC account, pay the fees and give biometrics at a visa application centre.
Biometrics
Questions people ask
How much does a Canada study permit cost from Pakistan?
Study permit application: CA$150 (about PKR 29,200); Biometrics (per person): CA$85 (about PKR 16,500). Fees change, so check the official fee page before you pay.
IRCC fee list (opens in a new tab)How long does a Canada study permit take from Pakistan?
Varies by country of application; check the IRCC processing times tool.
Check processing times (opens in a new tab)What documents do I need for a Canada study permit from Pakistan?
The usual documents are: Passport, Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, Bank statement / proof of funds, Transcript / detailed marks certificate, and Passport-size photograph (destination specification). Depending on your situation, you may also need: Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL), Immigration medical exam (panel physician), and Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA).
Do I need a PAL for a Canada study permit?
Most applicants need a provincial or territorial attestation letter, usually requested through the school. Since 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral degree students at public DLIs are exempt.
Study permit: get the right documents (proof of financial support, PAL/TAL) (opens in a new tab)Do I need a medical exam for a Canada study permit from Pakistan?
Usually, yes: applicants who have lived in Pakistan for 6 months or more in the last year need an upfront medical exam by an IRCC panel physician for a stay over 6 months.
Medical exams for visitors, students and workers (opens in a new tab)What is the success rate for Canada study permits from Pakistan?
Nobody can promise you a visa, and we do not publish success rates. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) decides each application on its own evidence.