# Canada Student Visa Requirements for Indians: 2026 Checklist

> The 2026 Canada study permit checklist for Indian students: acceptance letter, PAL/TAL, the new CAN$23,448 funds minimum, fees, processing time and refusal data.

_Published: 2026-10-20 · Reading time: 5 min · Words: 1067_

## TL;DR

Indian students need a DLI letter of acceptance, a PAL/TAL in most cases and proof of funds for first-year tuition, return travel and at least CAN$23,448 in living costs (single applicant, applications from 1 September 2026). The study permit fee is CAN$150 plus CAN$85 biometrics, and IRCC's posted processing time for India is 7 weeks.

## Key takeaways

- Core documents: DLI letter of acceptance, PAL/TAL (most applicants) and proof of financial support.
- Living-cost minimum outside Quebec rose to CAN$23,448 for one person for applications on or after 1 September 2026.
- Master's and doctoral programs at public DLIs no longer need a PAL/TAL from 1 January 2026.
- Fees: CAN$150 study permit plus CAN$85 biometrics; IRCC's posted processing time for India is 7 weeks (updated 14 October 2026).
- IRCC reports a 59% refusal rate for new study permit applications from all nationalities in 2025.

**To get a Canada study permit from India, IRCC requires a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI), a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) in most cases, and proof of funds covering first-year tuition, return travel and at least CAN$23,448 in living costs for a single applicant outside Quebec. The fee is CAN$150.**

## Article

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) changed several study rules in 2025 and 2026, so older checklists are out of date. Use the list below, built from IRCC's own pages as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026, and tick each item before you apply online.

### What is on the 2026 Canada study permit checklist?
DocumentWhat IRCC asks forLetter of acceptanceFrom a designated learning institution (DLI), uploaded to your online applicationPAL or TALProvincial or territorial attestation letter in most cases; Quebec requires a CAQ insteadProof of financial supportFunds for tuition, living expenses and return transportationPassportValid travel documentPolice certificateIf required for your caseMedical examIf required for your caseIntent to leave CanadaYou must satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada when the permit expiresIRCC also generates a personalised document checklist in its portal once you start the application. Treat that list as the final word for your file, because it can add items for your situation.

### Do you need a PAL or TAL, and who is exempt?
Most applicants do. The PAL/TAL is issued by the province or territory through your DLI, usually after you accept the offer and pay part or all of the tuition. Each applicant needs their own letter, and it must be submitted with the application.

You do not need one if you are going to:

- preschool, primary or secondary school;
- an exchange program where you pay no tuition to the DLI;
- study as a Global Affairs Canada scholarship holder;
- a master's or doctoral degree-granting program at a public DLI (exempt from 1 January 2026).
Watch the validity. Letters issued for the 2026 cap year are valid until 31 December 2026 unless they show an earlier date. You need a new letter after an approval or a refusal, and since 22 January 2025 you also need a new one if you change schools.

### How much money must you show in 2026?
The living-cost minimum (outside Quebec) rose on 1 September 2026. It excludes tuition and travel, which you must show on top.

People in your applicationMinimum living funds (applications on or after 1 September 2026)1CAN$23,4482CAN$29,1923CAN$35,8884CAN$43,5725CAN$49,4196CAN$55,7367CAN$62,054Each extra family memberCAN$6,318Applications from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2026 used CAN$22,895 for one person. If you are reading an older guide, that is the figure it will quote.

### Which documents count as proof of funds?
IRCC accepts several forms of evidence. You can combine them:

- a receipt showing paid first-year tuition and housing;
- an education loan from a financial institution;
- a scholarship;
- a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution;
- a Canadian bank account in your name;
- bank statements for the past 6 months showing the source of funds;
- a letter and proof of support from a sponsor.
For programs longer than a year, you must also explain how you will pay for the full duration, not just year one. If your parents are sponsoring you, their letter and the six months of bank statements should tell the same story about where the money came from, because IRCC asks for statements that show the source of funds.

### What does a study permit cost, and how long does it take?
- Study permit fee: CAN$150 per person, paid online to IRCC.
- Biometrics: CAN$85 per person (CAN$170 maximum for a family of 2 or more applying together).
- Processing time: 7 weeks for study permits applied for from outside Canada, according to IRCC data for India last updated 14 October 2026.
After you apply, wait for the biometric instruction letter, then book a slot at one of ten VFS-run Visa Application Centres in India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi or Pune. Booking is free. Since 24 February 2026, VFS requires you to upload the IRCC Biometric Instruction Letter when booking.

### How many study permit applications are refused?
IRCC told a parliamentary committee in April 2026 that the refusal rate for new study permit applications was 59% in January-December 2025, up from 52% in 2024. That figure covers all nationalities; IRCC does not publish an India-only figure on that page. For early 2026 (to 28 February), IRCC reported a 38% approval rate for study permits across all nationalities. These are system-wide outcomes, not a prediction for any individual student.

### Which checklist mistakes should you avoid?
- Applying with an expired PAL/TAL, or one issued for a different school.
- Showing only the CAN$23,448 living minimum and forgetting first-year tuition and return travel.
- Bank statements that show a balance but not the source of the funds.
- Using the old CAN$22,895 figure for an application filed on or after 1 September 2026.
- Skipping the explanation of how you will fund a multi-year program.
For visitor visas, work permits and super visas, see our Canada visa guide for Indians. IRCC's proof of financial support page has the current funds table.

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### Frequently asked questions

#### Is a GIC mandatory for Indian students going to Canada?
No. IRCC lists a guaranteed investment certificate as one accepted proof of funds, alongside a Canadian bank account, 6 months of bank statements, an education loan, a scholarship or paid tuition and housing receipts. You can use any combination that covers the required amount.

#### Do Quebec-bound students need a PAL?
No. Students going to Quebec submit an attestation of issuance of a CAQ instead of a PAL/TAL. The CAN$23,448 living-cost figure on IRCC's page applies outside Quebec.

#### Do Indian students need a medical exam for a Canada study permit?
Only if it is required for your case. IRCC lists a police certificate and a medical exam as 'if required', and your personalised document checklist in the IRCC portal shows whether they apply to you.

#### Do I need a new PAL if I change my college after approval?
Yes. Since 22 January 2025, study permit applicants changing schools must get a new PAL/TAL before applying, and a new letter is also needed after any approval or refusal.

## FAQ

### Is a GIC mandatory for Indian students going to Canada?

No. IRCC lists a guaranteed investment certificate as one accepted proof of funds, alongside a Canadian bank account, 6 months of bank statements, an education loan, a scholarship or paid tuition and housing receipts. You can use any combination that covers the required amount.

### Do Quebec-bound students need a PAL?

No. Students going to Quebec submit an attestation of issuance of a CAQ instead of a PAL/TAL. The CAN$23,448 living-cost figure on IRCC's page applies outside Quebec.

### Do Indian students need a medical exam for a Canada study permit?

Only if it is required for your case. IRCC lists a police certificate and a medical exam as 'if required', and your personalised document checklist in the IRCC portal shows whether they apply to you.

### Do I need a new PAL if I change my college after approval?

Yes. Since 22 January 2025, study permit applicants changing schools must get a new PAL/TAL before applying, and a new letter is also needed after any approval or refusal.

## Sources

1. [IRCC - Study permit: Proof of financial support](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
2. [IRCC - Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
3. [IRCC - Fee list](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
4. [IRCC - SECU committee note: International Students (April 30, 2026)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/committees/secu-apr-30-2026/international-students.html) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada