Below is a detailed guide based on official information checked on September 30, 2026. Requirements depend on the applicant’s nationality, country of residence, family circumstances, and chosen program.
1. Understand the difference between a visa, a permit, and immigration status
People often use the expression “student visa,” but several separate documents may be involved.
| Purpose of coming to Canada | Main application | Documents used to travel or enter |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism or visiting family | Visitor visa, if required; otherwise an eTA where applicable | Passport and the applicable visa or eTA |
| Studying | Usually a study permit | Passport, approval letter, and applicable visa or eTA |
| Working temporarily | Usually a work permit | Passport, approval documentation, and applicable visa or eTA |
| Immigrating permanently | Permanent residence application under an eligible program | Passport, Confirmation of Permanent Residence, and a permanent resident visa if required |
| Joining family permanently | Family sponsorship and permanent residence applications | Permanent residence approval and applicable travel documents |
A visa or electronic travel authorization—eTA—allows someone to travel to Canada. A study or work permit authorizes particular activities in Canada, subject to its conditions. Permanent residence is a separate immigration status. For applications approved outside Canada, study and work permits are normally issued when the person arrives and completes the border examination. Canada.ca
2. Preparations that apply to most application routes
Before submitting an application, applicants should work through these preparations:
- Identify the purpose of the trip. Explain whether the intention is to visit temporarily, study, work, or settle permanently.
- Check eligibility. Read the requirements for the specific program, including instructions for the country where the application will be submitted.
- Check the passport. Renew it early if necessary, and use consistent names and personal details throughout the application.
- Prepare supporting documents. These may include financial records, education certificates, employment records, civil documents, and evidence of the purpose of travel.
- Arrange translations where required. Follow the application guide’s rules for documents that are not in English or French.
- Use the correct official application account. IRCC uses different accounts and portals for different applications; start from the relevant government application page.
- Keep copies. Save the submitted forms, documents, payment receipts, and correspondence.
Most applications involve online forms, document uploads, payment, and further instructions from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada—IRCC. The personalized checklist and country-specific instructions determine what must actually be submitted. Canada.ca
3. Coming to Canada as an international student
The usual order is: choose an eligible school → obtain admission → obtain any required provincial documents → prepare finances → apply for a study permit → complete requested checks → receive approval → travel.
Step 1: Choose the school and program carefully
Check that the school is a Designated Learning Institution—DLI. For postsecondary study, use IRCC’s official DLI list.
Before paying a deposit, examine:
- Admission requirements and language requirements.
- Tuition and other compulsory charges.
- Program length and delivery arrangements.
- Housing and living costs.
- Refund and deferral policies.
- Whether the particular program is eligible for a post-graduation work permit, if that is part of your plan.
DLI status does not mean every program at that institution qualifies for a post-graduation work permit. PGWP eligibility also depends on the student meeting the applicable requirements. Canada.ca
Step 2: Apply for admission and obtain a letter of acceptance
Apply directly to the institution, following its admissions instructions. It may request transcripts, qualifications, language results, or other evidence.
Once accepted, obtain the official Letter of Acceptance—LOA. School admission and study permit approval are separate decisions: an acceptance letter supports the immigration application but does not itself authorize entry or study in Canada. Canada.ca
Step 3: Check whether a PAL, TAL, or Quebec document is required
Many applicants need a Provincial Attestation Letter—PAL—or Territorial Attestation Letter—TAL. Contact the school to learn how to obtain it, and submit it with the study permit application.
Current exemptions include students applying for preschool, primary school, or secondary school, and students entering degree-granting master’s or doctoral programs at public DLIs, effective January 1, 2026. Other exemptions exist.
For Quebec, check the Quebec Acceptance Certificate—CAQ—requirements separately. A PAL/TAL exemption does not automatically remove Quebec’s own requirements. Canada.ca
Step 4: Prepare sufficient financial evidence
Applicants must show they can pay for tuition, living expenses, and transportation without relying on employment in Canada.
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a student applying alone to a province or territory outside Quebec must demonstrate C$23,448 for first-year living expenses, in addition to tuition and transportation costs. Higher amounts apply when family members accompany the student.
Evidence can include bank statements, education loans, scholarships, tuition receipts, and documented financial support. IRCC also assesses the source and availability of the money. For programs lasting more than one year, explain how the remaining years will be funded.
Quebec uses its own financial requirements. The government minimum should also be compared with the actual cost of living in the chosen community. Canada.ca
Step 5: Prepare the study permit application
Follow the checklist for your circumstances. Common items include the passport, LOA, PAL/TAL or exemption evidence, financial evidence, and an explanation of the study plan.
Explain why you chose the program, how it fits your education or career plans, and how you will support yourself. Applicants must satisfy the temporary residence requirements, including leaving Canada when their authorized stay ends if they do not obtain further authorization.
Generally, apply before coming to Canada. Only certain people qualify to apply from inside Canada or at a port of entry. Canada.ca
Step 6: Complete biometrics and other requested checks
If required, follow the biometric instruction letter and attend an official collection location. IRCC may also request an interview, additional documents, a medical examination, or a police certificate.
For children under 17 travelling without a parent or legal guardian, an appointed custodian is required. Check the documentation and arrangements before applying. Canada.ca
Step 7: Receive approval and prepare for arrival
An applicant approved outside Canada receives a port-of-entry letter of introduction. This letter is not the study permit itself. IRCC also issues the required visa or eTA as part of the approval process, where applicable.
Carry the passport, introduction letter, valid acceptance letter, financial evidence, and any documents specified by the visa office. A border officer checks eligibility and issues the permit. Canada.ca
Step 8: Understand study and employment conditions
Eligible international students may currently work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic terms. Eligibility conditions apply; language-only and some other programs do not qualify.
Students cannot begin working simply because they arrived early. They must first begin their studies and meet the relevant work conditions. A study permit, Canadian qualification, or PGWP does not automatically lead to permanent residence. Canada.ca
A course lasting six months or less may qualify for a study permit exemption. Check the exemption and entry requirements before travelling, particularly if further study is planned afterward. Canada.ca
4. Coming to Canada as a tourist or family visitor
Step 1: Determine whether a visitor visa or eTA is needed
The answer depends on the passport or travel document, nationality, and method of travel. Some travellers are exempt from both requirements.
An eTA is principally relevant to eligible travellers arriving by air. Do not assume that a friend’s entry requirements apply to you; use the official government checker. Canada.ca
Step 2: Prepare evidence of a genuine temporary visit
Applicants should explain:
- Why they are visiting.
- The intended dates and length of stay.
- Where they will stay.
- Who will pay for the trip.
- Their employment, family, financial, or other ties outside Canada.
- Why they will leave at the end of the authorized visit.
There is no single standard bank balance for every visitor. Required resources depend on the trip’s length, accommodation, and other circumstances. An invitation letter may be relevant when visiting family or friends. Canada.ca
Step 3: Submit the appropriate application
For a visitor visa, follow the official application page, upload the required evidence, and pay the fees.
For an eTA, eligible applicants use the official online form with their passport, email address, and payment method. The government eTA fee is C$7. Some applications require additional documents, so obtain approval before travelling rather than assuming approval will be immediate. Canada.ca
Step 4: Complete requested checks and passport submission
If biometrics are required, attend the appointment as instructed. IRCC may request further information, an interview, a medical examination, or a police certificate.
When a visitor visa application is approved, follow the passport submission instructions to obtain the visa before travelling. Canada.ca
Step 5: Understand the permitted length of stay
Most visitors can stay for up to six months, but the border officer may authorize a different period.
A visa’s expiry date and the deadline to leave Canada are different. A visa valid for several years does not authorize someone to remain continuously for those years.
To extend a visit, apply for a visitor record before the current status expires. A visitor record extends an authorized stay; it is not a travel visa. Canada.ca
Visitor status does not generally authorize employment. Someone intending to work must qualify for the relevant work authorization or an exemption. Canada.ca
5. Coming to Canada to work temporarily
Most foreign nationals need a work permit, although exemptions exist.
Step 1: Identify the correct permit
An employer-specific permit restricts employment according to its conditions, including the named employer and other details.
An open work permit permits broader employment, subject to restrictions. It is available only through specified eligibility categories; someone cannot obtain one merely because they want to find work in Canada. Canada.ca
Step 2: Obtain the employer’s documents where required
For an employer-specific application, the employer normally needs to complete steps before the worker applies.
Depending on the route, documents can include:
- A job offer and employment contract.
- A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment—LMIA.
- An offer-of-employment number for an applicable LMIA-exempt route.
- Quebec authorization where required.
Applicants must also show they meet the job’s requirements through qualifications, experience, or applicable licensing. A job offer or positive LMIA is not itself a work permit. Canada.ca
Step 3: Apply for the work permit
Use the outside-Canada application instructions. Prepare identity documents, employment evidence, supporting qualifications, and any additional documents on the checklist.
Submit the application, pay the applicable fees, complete biometrics if required, and respond to further requests. Canada.ca
Step 4: Travel with approval and supporting evidence
Bring the passport, applicable travel document, approval letter, employment documents, and any required medical evidence. The border officer checks the application and issues the permit when the entry requirements are met.
Read the permit carefully before leaving the immigration processing area, especially the employer, occupation, conditions, and expiry date. Canada.ca
A spouse or child accompanying a worker or student needs the appropriate status of their own. Eligibility for a family member’s open work permit depends on specific rules. Canada.ca
6. Applying to immigrate permanently
There is no single application called an “immigration visa” that everyone can use. Applicants must qualify under a particular permanent residence program.
A. Express Entry
Express Entry manages applications through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
The basic procedure is:
- Check program eligibility. Compare the relevant education, work experience, language, and other requirements.
- Obtain approved language results. Express Entry accepts specified tests. For example, the IELTS option is General Training, rather than Academic.
- Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment where required. This is relevant to foreign education under the applicable program or when claiming education points.
- Prepare an Express Entry profile. Eligible candidates enter the pool and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System—CRS—score.
- Wait for an invitation. Entering the pool does not guarantee selection.
- If invited, submit the permanent residence application. The invitation is currently valid for 60 days.
- Complete the required assessments. Submit the supporting documents, applicable fees, medical evidence, and biometrics as instructed. Canada.ca
An Express Entry profile is not the same as a submitted permanent residence application. It also does not provide permission to travel to, remain in, or work in Canada.
Supporting evidence commonly includes employment records, civil documents, police certificates, and financial evidence where required. Current Express Entry instructions generally require an upfront immigration medical examination after invitation and before submission, with applicable exceptions. Canada.ca
Settlement funds depend on the program and family size. Canadian Experience Class applicants are exempt from this requirement, and another exemption applies to certain applicants with valid job offers and Canadian work authorization. Where funds are required, they must be accessible; borrowed money and property equity do not qualify as settlement funds. Canada.ca
B. Provincial Nominee Program—PNP
Participating provinces and territories nominate applicants who meet their economic and immigration priorities.
The usual procedure is to identify a suitable stream, meet its requirements, apply through the provincial process, obtain a nomination if selected, and then complete the applicable federal permanent residence process.
Some streams use Express Entry; others use a separate process. Applicants must genuinely intend to settle in the nominating province or territory. Quebec and Nunavut do not operate PNPs. Canada.ca
C. Family sponsorship
Eligible sponsors may apply to bring a spouse, qualifying partner, or dependent child to Canada permanently.
The sponsor must meet the eligibility requirements and accept financial support obligations. The process involves a sponsorship application and the family member’s permanent residence application, submitted together through the appropriate process. Identity, relationship, and other supporting evidence are required.
Declare spouses, partners, and dependent children as required, including those who are not accompanying the applicant. Failure to disclose or arrange required examinations can affect later sponsorship. Quebec has additional requirements. Canada.ca
Parent and grandparent sponsorship has separate intake rules. As of this guide’s date, IRCC has paused new applications under that program, following its July 15, 2026 announcement. Canada.ca
D. Quebec and other immigration routes
Quebec has a separate skilled-worker selection process. Other routes include the Atlantic Immigration Program and rural or Francophone community programs.
Their requirements and intake availability differ. Use the current official program directory before preparing an application, since some older programs have closed or paused. Canada.ca
After permanent residence approval
Applicants outside Canada normally receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence—COPR—and a permanent resident visa if required.
Check the documents for errors and travel before they expire. Carry proof of settlement funds if required. At arrival, the border officer confirms identity and continuing eligibility, completes admission as a permanent resident, and confirms the mailing address for the PR card. Canada.ca
7. A super visa for longer visits by parents or grandparents
A super visa is a temporary visiting route, separate from permanent residence sponsorship.
Eligible applicants must apply from outside Canada and have a qualifying child or grandchild in Canada. The host must meet the applicable income requirements and provide an invitation letter.
Applicants also need an immigration medical examination and qualifying private health insurance valid for at least one year from entry. Approved applicants can generally visit for up to five years at a time, subject to the applicable conditions. Canada.ca
8. Biometrics, medical examinations, fees, and processing times
Biometrics: These are fingerprints and a photograph. If required, follow the biometric instruction letter and book an official collection appointment promptly. The usual deadline is 30 days from the letter. Exemptions and rules for previously collected biometrics differ by application type. Canada.ca
Medical examinations: These are not required for every temporary visitor, student, or worker. Requirements depend on factors such as residence or travel history, intended stay, and occupation. Where required, use an IRCC-approved panel physician. An ordinary examination by another doctor does not replace it. Canada.ca
Typical government charges currently include:
| Application or service | Basic government fee |
|---|---|
| eTA | C$7 |
| Visitor visa, individual applicant | C$100 |
| Study permit | C$150 |
| Work permit | C$155, unless exempt |
| Biometrics, individual applicant | C$85, when required |
Additional charges may apply. These figures exclude tuition, medical examinations, translations, police certificates, insurance, travel, and representative fees. Permanent residence fees depend on the program and family composition. Canada.ca
Check IRCC’s current processing-time tool for the relevant application and country. Treat the displayed time as a planning estimate, rather than a guaranteed decision date. Canada.ca
9. Final preparations before travelling
Keep essential documents in your hand luggage:
| Traveller | Useful documents to have ready |
|---|---|
| Visitor | Passport, applicable visa or eTA, itinerary, accommodation details, financial evidence, and invitation where relevant |
| Student | Passport, introduction letter, acceptance letter, financial evidence, and documents requested by the visa office |
| Worker | Passport, approval letter, employment documents, and applicable LMIA or exemption evidence |
| New permanent resident | Passport, COPR, permanent resident visa if issued, and settlement-fund evidence where required |
Arrange accommodation, airport transportation, access to money, and suitable health insurance before departure. Check airline and transit-country requirements separately.
Approval does not remove the need to meet the entry requirements when arriving. Be ready to explain your plans accurately and show the supporting documents. Canada.ca
If carrying C$10,000 or more in cash or monetary instruments, including the combined Canadian-dollar equivalent of foreign currencies, declare it to CBSA. This is a reporting requirement, not a prohibition on bringing that amount. cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
10. Applying accurately and planning future status
Someone may hope to become a permanent resident while applying for temporary entry. Canadian law recognizes this as dual intent, but the person must still satisfy the temporary residence requirements, including leaving when authorization ends if no further status is obtained. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Review every answer before submission, even when someone helps prepare the application. False documents or misleading information can cause refusal and serious immigration consequences, including a ban. If paying for immigration advice, verify that the representative is authorized. Canada.ca
These official links provide the starting points for each route:
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