Canada student visa guide
Canada requires a Study Permit issued by IRCC, and most students from Asia strengthen their application with a Guaranteed Investment Certificate that proves their living funds for the first year.
The Canadian Study Permit is granted by IRCC, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and is applied for online after a designated learning institution admits you and issues a letter of acceptance. Biometrics are mandatory for most applicants. The permit lets you study full-time and, with a clear plan and funds, opens one of the strongest post-study work pathways in the world.
You must show living funds of CAD 20,635 for the year in addition to your first-year tuition, and the most common and reliable way to prove the living portion is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate, or GIC, held with a Canadian bank. Language evidence is usually IELTS 6.0 to 6.5, and your file should also include your acceptance letter, financial proof, and supporting documents.
Using a GIC for financial proof
A GIC is a fixed deposit you open with a participating Canadian bank, into which you transfer the CAD 20,635 living requirement before applying. The bank confirms the deposit, and after you arrive it releases the money to you in instalments, which reassures IRCC that you can support yourself. You evidence tuition separately, ideally by paying the first year up front.
Our team helps students set up the GIC and organise tuition and biometrics steps free of charge.
Processing, biometrics, and the PGWP
Provide your biometrics promptly, as processing only begins once they are recorded, and expect IRCC decisions to take roughly four to twelve weeks depending on volumes and your country. After graduating from an eligible programme you can apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, the PGWP, valid for up to three years, which is a leading reason students choose Canada.
Refusals often cite insufficient or unclear funds, doubts about study intent, or an incomplete file, so document your finances and plan thoroughly.
Visa facts at a glance
Apply via OUAC (Ontario) or directly to institutions. IRCC Study Permit applied online. Biometrics required. Processing: 4–12 weeks.
| Visa type | Study Permit (IRCC) |
| Issuing authority | IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) |
| Processing time | 4–12 weeks |
| Financial proof | CAD 20,635 + first year tuition |
| Language requirement | IELTS 6.0–6.5 |
| Post-study work | PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit): up to 3 years |
Visa application steps
- 1
Receive your admission letter
Apply to a Canada university and obtain your acceptance — we help you choose programmes and apply.
- 2
Prepare financial proof
Arrange evidence of CAD 20,635 + first year tuition as required by the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
- 3
Gather documents
Passport, admission letter, language certificate, photos and the visa application form.
- 4
Submit & attend appointment
Submit your Study Permit (IRCC) application and attend any interview. Processing takes about 4–12 weeks.