# Canada Visa News for Indians: 2026 Rule Changes

> Six dated Canada visa changes that affect Indian applicants: PAL/TAL rules, the higher study-permit funds minimum, the VFS biometrics booking system and VAC service charges.

_Published: 2026-10-20 · Reading time: 5 min · Words: 1177_

## TL;DR

In 2026 Canada exempted master's and doctoral programmes at public DLIs from the PAL/TAL, raised the study-permit funds minimum to CAN$23,448 for one person, and VFS India changed its booking system and VAC charges. Visitor visa fees and the visa requirement for Indians are unchanged.

## Key takeaways

- From 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral programmes at public DLIs need no PAL/TAL.
- Study-permit living-cost minimum: CAN$23,448 for one person for applications on or after 1 September 2026.
- Since 24 February 2026, VFS India biometrics appointments need the IRCC Biometric Instruction Letter uploaded.
- New VFS India VAC charges applied from 1 May 2026; further changes are announced for 1 November 2026.
- Visitor visa fee unchanged at CAN$100 plus CAN$85 biometrics; IRCC posts 29 days for Indian visitor visas.

**According to IRCC and VFS Global, the main 2026 Canada visa changes for Indians are: master's and doctoral programmes at public DLIs no longer need a PAL/TAL from 1 January 2026; the study-permit funds minimum rose to CAN$23,448 from 1 September 2026; and new VFS India VAC charges took effect on 1 May 2026, with more due 1 November 2026.**

## Article

Each change below is dated and tied to the official page that announced it, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and VFS Global, the Government of Canada's exclusive service provider for visa application centres (VACs) in India. For the standing requirements, see our Canada visa page for Indians.

### Which Canada visa rules changed, and when?
DateChangeWho it affects22 January 2025A new PAL/TAL is needed when changing schoolsStudy permit applicants1 January 2026Master's and doctoral degree-granting programmes at public DLIs no longer need a PAL/TALPostgraduate students24 February 2026VFS India moved biometrics booking to its Appointment Management System (from 21 February); appointments need the IRCC Biometric Instruction Letter uploadedEveryone giving biometrics in India1 May 2026New VFS India VAC service chargesApplicants using optional VAC services1 September 2026Study permit funds minimum rose to CAN$23,448 for one person, from CAN$22,895Study permit applicants outside Quebec1 November 2026VFS India has announced new VAC charges; amounts not published as of 15 October 2026VAC users
### What changed for Indian students?
Most study permit applicants still need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), issued by the province through your designated learning institution (DLI), usually after you accept the offer and pay part or all of the tuition. Each applicant needs one, and it must be valid when you apply; 2026 cap-year letters are valid until December 31, 2026 unless they show an earlier date. You need a new letter after an approval or a refusal, and since 22 January 2025 also when changing schools.

From 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral degree-granting programmes at a public DLI joined the exemption list, alongside preschool, primary and secondary school, and some exchange and scholarship students. Quebec applicants need a CAQ instead. The details are on the IRCC PAL/TAL page.

The second change is money. For applications made on or after 1 September 2026, IRCC's living-cost minimum outside Quebec, excluding tuition and travel, is:

Family sizeMinimum funds1 personCAN$23,4482 peopleCAN$29,1923 peopleCAN$35,8884 peopleCAN$43,572Each extra member beyond 7CAN$6,318A GIC from a Canadian financial institution is one accepted proof, alongside a Canadian bank account in your name, six months of bank statements showing the source of funds, an education loan, a scholarship or paid tuition and housing receipts. The IRCC proof of financial support page lists them all.

### What changed at visa application centres in India?
Booking a biometrics appointment is free, and the IRCC biometrics fee of CAN$85, paid online, covers fingerprints, the photo and one transfer of your documents between IRCC and the VAC. Since 24 February 2026, VFS India's booking system asks you to upload the IRCC Biometric Instruction Letter, so wait for that letter before trying to book.

Optional VAC services are charged separately, in INR, by cash or UPI at the centre. The rates from 1 May 2026 include package transmission at INR 604, an assisted paper application at INR 529, one-way passport courier at INR 858, two-way courier at INR 1,716, SMS at INR 179 and the Premium Lounge at INR 4,767. VFS says new charges start on 1 November 2026 but had not published them as of 15 October 2026, so check the VFS India notices page before your visit.

### What has not changed: fees, processing and entry rules
ItemIRCC figureVisitor visa, per personCAN$100.00Visitor visa, family of 5 or moreCAN$500.00Biometrics, per person / family of 2 or moreCAN$85.00 / CAN$170.00Study permit / work permitCAN$150.00 / CAN$155.00Processing from India: visitor visa29 daysProcessing from India: super visa / study permit / work permit77 days / 7 weeks / 11 weeksThe processing figures are IRCC data last updated October 14, 2026. IRCC told a parliamentary committee in April 2026 that posted times are backward-looking and do not reflect actual processing times, so treat them as a guide.

India remains on IRCC's visa-required list, with no eTA option for Indian citizens, and a visitor visa is needed even for transit. The exception is Indians who are US lawful permanent residents, who can fly to Canada with a valid passport and green card. You still apply online through the IRCC Portal, and the Consulates General in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai have temporarily suspended in-person operations.

### What do IRCC's latest refusal figures show?
IRCC does not publish an India-only refusal rate on these pages. Its notes for the parliamentary SECU committee (April 30, 2026) give all-nationality figures:

- Visitor visa (TRV) refusal rate: 51% in 2025, after 54% in 2024 and 39% in 2023.
- New study permit refusal rate: 59% in January to December 2025, after 52% in 2024.
- Work permit approval rate: 82% from 1 January to 28 February 2026, when visitor visas were at 54% and study permits at 38%.
These numbers describe all applicants worldwide. They are not a forecast for any Indian application, but they show why a complete file with travel history, itinerary, bank statements and an employer letter matters.

### What should you do differently now?
- Students: check whether your programme is PAL-exempt and size your funds to the CAN$23,448 level.
- Everyone: book biometrics only after the instruction letter arrives, and upload it.
- Before a VAC visit after 1 November 2026: check the new service charges.
- Visitors: use the personalised checklist in the IRCC Portal and add the recommended documents.
Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or use our contact page.

### Frequently asked questions

#### Is Canada still issuing long-validity visitor visas to Indians?
IRCC decides which visa to issue and how long it is valid: generally up to a maximum of 10 years, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. The fee is CAN$100 for both single and multiple entry, and most visitors can stay up to 6 months per entry.

#### Can Indians use an eTA instead of a Canada visitor visa?
No. India is on IRCC's visa-required list and no eTA option is noted for Indian citizens, so a visitor visa is needed even for transit. Indians who are US lawful permanent residents can fly to Canada with a valid passport and green card.

#### Did the Canada visitor visa fee change in 2026?
IRCC's fee list, checked on 15 October 2026, shows CAN$100 per person and a maximum of CAN$500 for a family of five or more applying together, plus CAN$85 for biometrics. The 2026 changes in INR were to optional VFS India services, not to IRCC's fees.

#### Where do Indians give biometrics for a Canada visa?
At one of ten VFS Global-run VACs in India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. Book only after IRCC sends the Biometric Instruction Letter, which must be uploaded when booking.

## FAQ

### Is Canada still issuing long-validity visitor visas to Indians?

IRCC decides which visa to issue and how long it is valid: generally up to a maximum of 10 years, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. The fee is CAN$100 for both single and multiple entry, and most visitors can stay up to 6 months per entry.

### Can Indians use an eTA instead of a Canada visitor visa?

No. India is on IRCC's visa-required list and no eTA option is noted for Indian citizens, so a visitor visa is needed even for transit. Indians who are US lawful permanent residents can fly to Canada with a valid passport and green card.

### Did the Canada visitor visa fee change in 2026?

IRCC's fee list, checked on 15 October 2026, shows CAN$100 per person and a maximum of CAN$500 for a family of five or more applying together, plus CAN$85 for biometrics. The 2026 changes in INR were to optional VFS India services, not to IRCC's fees.

### Where do Indians give biometrics for a Canada visa?

At one of ten VFS Global-run VACs in India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. Book only after IRCC sends the Biometric Instruction Letter, which must be uploaded when booking.

## Sources

1. [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
2. [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
3. [VFS Global - Canada India important information (service charge and booking notices)](https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/can/important-information-detail) — VFS Global
4. [IRCC - SECU committee note: Management of Expired and Cancelled Visas (April 30, 2026)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/committees/secu-apr-30-2026/management-expired-cancelled-visas.html) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada