Study in Canada from India
Canada is harder to get into as a student than it was three years ago. There is a national cap on study permits, the fast-track stream for Indian students has closed, and you must show CAD $22,895 for living costs on top of your first year’s tuition. For a well-chosen programme and a well-prepared file, it is still one of the strongest routes to permanent residence, because Canadian study and work experience open draws that are closed to applicants abroad.
The numbers that matter
Study permits Canada plans to issue
408,000, of which 155,000 are for new arrivals
Application spaces under the cap
309,670
Living-cost funds, single student
CAD $22,895, plus first-year tuition and travel
Study permit fee
CAD $150, plus $85 biometrics
Fast-track stream (SDS)
Closed on 8 November 2024
Attestation letter
Required for most undergraduate and diploma applicants
What changed, and what it means for you
- The cap. Canada limits how many study permit applications it accepts each year. Each province gets a share.
- The attestation letter. Most applicants need a Provincial Attestation Letter from the province where they will study, arranged through the college or university. From 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public institutions no longer need one.
- No fast-track. All Indian applications now go through the regular stream. A Guaranteed Investment Certificate is still accepted as proof of funds, but it no longer speeds anything up.
- Closer scrutiny. Refusal rates for Indian applicants rose sharply in 2025. Officers look hard at whether the programme makes sense for your background and whether the money is real.
The practical conclusion: master’s programmes at public universities are now the cleanest route. They are outside the attestation requirement, lead to a full-length work permit, and are viewed more favourably by officers.
Who gets approved
Officers are deciding one question: is this a real student with a sensible plan and real money?
- A programme that follows from your past. A commerce graduate applying for a business analytics master’s is logical. An engineer with eight years of experience applying for a one-year general business diploma is not.
- Funds with a history. Money held for months, from identifiable sources. Education loans from recognised banks are accepted.
- A clear study plan. Why this programme, why this institution, why Canada, and what you will do afterwards.
- A designated learning institution. Only these can host international students.
Working while you study and after
| Rule | |
|---|---|
| Work during term | Up to 24 hours a week off campus |
| Work during scheduled breaks | Full-time |
| Post-Graduation Work Permit | Available after an eligible programme of eight months or longer |
| Length of that permit | Matches your programme, up to three years. Master’s graduates can receive three years |
| Conditions | Language test required. College programmes must be in an eligible field of study |
| Spouse’s work permit | Limited mainly to spouses of students in master’s, doctoral and certain professional programmes |
Check Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility before you choose a programme. Many college diplomas in business and management no longer qualify, and a programme without a work permit at the end has no route to PR.
From study to PR
Complete an eligible programme.
Work in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit in a skilled job.
After one year, you qualify for the Canadian Experience Class and earn extra CRS points for Canadian study and work.
Enter Express Entry, or apply to your province’s graduate stream.
Canadian Experience Class draws have been held about twice a month in 2026, with cut-offs of 507 to 523. That is a high bar, so plan for it from day one: strong English, a skilled job, and ideally French.
What it costs
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Tuition, college diploma | CAD $15,000 to $22,000 a year |
| Tuition, bachelor’s degree | CAD $25,000 to $45,000 a year |
| Tuition, master’s degree | CAD $20,000 to $40,000 a year |
| Living-cost funds to show | CAD $22,895 |
| Study permit and biometrics | CAD $235 |
Tuition varies widely by institution and programme. Use the figure on your offer letter.
Questions people ask us most
Is Canada still a good option for Indian students?
For a master’s or a carefully chosen diploma in a field Canada needs, yes. For a generic low-cost diploma chosen only as a way in, no longer.
Is a GIC mandatory?
No. It is one accepted way of showing the CAD $22,895. Bank statements and an education loan are also accepted.
How much IELTS do I need?
Institutions set their own requirement, commonly 6.0 to 6.5 overall. A stronger score also helps your visa file and your later PR application.
Can I bring my spouse?
Your spouse can apply to accompany you. An open work permit for them is now limited to certain programme levels.
Can I get PR after studying in Canada?
Many graduates do, through the Canadian Experience Class or a provincial stream. It is not automatic.
Choose the programme before the college
We will tell you which programmes fit your background, lead to a work permit, and give you a real route to PR.