If you are planning to study in Canada and have decided to move to Edmonton to pursue your education, it is crucial to know how to properly apply for a Study Permit. A Study Permit is an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows foreign nationals to study at an officially approved Canadian educational institution. Almost all international students who plan to study in Canada for more than six months must have a valid study permit before arriving in the country. Unlike many other countries where the process of obtaining a student visa may be simpler, Canada has a detailed and structured system that requires applicants to obtain acceptance from an approved institution, demonstrate financial capacity, undergo medical examinations, and provide biometric data. This process may seem complicated, but with a proper understanding of each step, it becomes manageable. In this article, we will break down each stage of the process of obtaining a study permit in Edmonton, from choosing an educational institution to arriving in Canada.
Step One: Choosing an Educational Institution and Obtaining a Letter of Acceptance
The first and most important step in the process of obtaining a study permit is choosing an approved educational institution and obtaining a letter of acceptance from it. This is not just any correspondence — it is official confirmation that you have been accepted into a specific program at an approved educational institution.
Canada has approved a system in which not all educational institutions are eligible to accept international students. These approved institutions are called Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). In Edmonton, this includes universities, colleges, and other professional schools that are officially registered with the Alberta government as institutions that can accept international students. The Alberta DLI list includes institutions such as the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology), and Concordia University of Edmonton. Each approved institution has a unique DLI number consisting of the letter “O” and a sequence of numbers.
Before you begin the process of applying for a study permit, you must first apply directly to the institution of your choice and obtain a letter of acceptance from that institution. This letter is not the same as a study permit. The letter of acceptance simply confirms that our educational institution has accepted you as a student. A study permit is issued by the Canadian federal government and allows you to actually enter the country and begin your studies. Therefore, you cannot even begin the study permit application process without a letter of acceptance.
The letter of acceptance must contain certain mandatory information. First, it must include your full name, date of birth, and mailing address. Second, it must contain all information about the educational institution, including its name, contact information, and DLI number. Third, the letter must clearly state the name of your program of study, the level of study (e.g., bachelor's, master's), the estimated duration of the program, and the estimated completion date. Fourth, the letter must indicate the approximate cost of tuition for the first year, the start date of the program, and the last day you can register for the program. Fifth, the letter must have an expiry date – after this date, the letter will no longer be valid for applying for a study permit.
Step two: obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter
Starting in January 2024, the Canadian government will introduce a new requirement for most international students: a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL). This requirement is part of a new federal plan to control the number of international students who can study in each province.
A PAL is an official document issued by the province of Alberta confirming that you have been approved to study in Alberta within the province's quota. In other words, each province in Canada has a limit set by the federal government on the number of international students it can accept each year. When you are accepted to an educational institution in Edmonton or elsewhere in Alberta, that institution will issue you a PAL, which allows you to apply for a study permit with the confidence that you will not be rejected because the province has exceeded its quota.
It is important to understand that you cannot obtain a PAL on your own. Only an approved educational institution to which you have been accepted can issue a PAL at the request of the province. When you receive a letter of acceptance from MacEwan, NAIT, or any other approved institution in Alberta, that institution must also issue you a PAL along with or immediately after the letter of acceptance. The PAL must be included in the folder of documents that you will submit with your application for a study permit.
There are some exceptions to the PAL requirement. For example, if you are applying for a program of less than six months, in some cases a PAL may not be required. In addition, if you are already in Canada and are applying to extend your study permit at the same institution at the same level of study, you do not need a PAL. Similarly, if you are applying as a dependent family member of a multi-child athlete student and family members, or if you have protected person status, you may be granted an exemption.
Step Three: Prepare Documents and Gather Proof of Financial Capacity
Applying for a study permit requires a significant amount of documentation to prove that you meet all the criteria for the area. One of the most important documents is proof of financial capacity.
The Canadian government requires you to demonstrate that you have enough money to cover all your expenses during your stay in Canada without working in the country. This requirement is necessary to ensure that you do not become dependent on Canadian social programs and do not violate the terms of your study permit by working more than the permitted number of hours. As of 2025, you must show a minimum of CAD 20,635 per year to cover your living expenses (except in Quebec, where the amount is CAD 15,078). This means that if you are studying in a two-year program, you need to show a minimum of 41,270 Canadian dollars plus the cost of tuition.
For example, if you are applying for a two-year program at MacEwan University in Edmonton, where tuition costs approximately 18,000-20,000 Canadian dollars per year, your total cost will be: (18,500 x 2) + (20,635 x 2) = 37,000 + 41,270 = 78,270 Canadian dollars. This means you must show at least 78,270 Canadian dollars in your bank account.
The Canadian government accepts various forms of proof of financial capacity. First, you can provide bank statements from your Canadian or foreign bank account for the last four months. These statements must show all your deposits and the balance of your account. Second, you can provide a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from a member of a Canadian financial institution. A GIC is a financial product in which you provide money to a Canadian bank for a certain period (usually one to two years), and the bank guarantees you a certain percentage of interest on that money. This is a popular option among international students because it guarantees that the money is actually there and will not be spent before you arrive. Third, you can provide a letter of credit or a bank check that can be converted into Canadian dollars.
Fourth, you can provide a letter from the person or institution funding you—for example, your parents, a sponsor, a company paying for your education, or a charitable organization. This letter must clearly state the amount of money they will fund and the period for which the money will be provided. Fifth, you can provide proof that you have obtained a student or education loan from a bank. Sixth, if you have already transferred some money to Canada and opened a Canadian bank account, you can provide proof that the money is in your Canadian account. Seventh, you can provide proof that you have already paid for your first year of tuition and living expenses — for example, a tuition payment receipt and a rental agreement.
It is important to understand that all these documents must be originals or officially certified copies. In addition, if the documents are written in a foreign language (e.g., Ukrainian), you must provide official English translations. These translations must be stamped and signed by an official translator or a notary public who is certified to perform official translations.
Step Four: Obtaining a Medical Report and Biometric Data
Depending on your country of origin and the length of your studies in Canada, you may need to undergo a medical examination before applying for a study permit. The medical examination is conducted to ensure that you do not have any serious infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis, which remains a public health concern in Canada. The Canadian government generally requires medical examinations for individuals who plan to stay in Canada for more than six months and come from countries where tuberculosis is widespread.
Which countries require a medical examination? The Canadian government publishes an official list of countries whose citizens must undergo a medical examination to obtain a study permit. This list includes most countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and some countries in Eastern Europe. In contrast, citizens of developed countries in Western Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and some countries in the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are generally exempt from the medical examination requirement. However, even if you are from one of the “exempt” countries, you may still be required to undergo a medical examination if you have specific health issues documented in your history or if you plan to work in the health care field or with children.
If you need a medical examination, you must have it done by an approved doctor, whose lists can be found on the IRCC website. The medical examination includes a basic physical examination, blood pressure measurement, blood and urine tests, and a chest X-ray to check for tuberculosis. If you are under 11 years of age, a chest X-ray is not usually required, although you may still undergo a basic physical examination. The medical examination costs approximately 300 Canadian dollars, although the price may vary depending on the doctor and clinic.
In addition to the medical exam, most international students must provide biometric data (fingerprints and a photo). Biometric data is used to verify your identity and conduct a criminal background check. IRCC matches your fingerprints with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) database to ensure you have no criminal record. Biometric data can be provided in person at an authorized biometric collection center or at the Canadian embassy in your country.
Which countries are exempt from providing biometric data? Citizens of the United States and some other countries are exempt from the biometric data requirement. However, if you are from most countries in the world, including Ukraine, you will need to provide biometric data. Biometric data provided in the past and valid for the last 10 years can be reused for a new study permit, so you do not need to provide it again.
How much does biometric data cost? The cost of providing biometric data is $85 CAD for an individual or $170 CAD for a family (up to four members). This fee must be paid at the time of applying for a study permit.
Step Five: Obtaining a police certificate
If you are over 18 years of age, the Canadian government may require you to provide a police certificate (also called a “certificate of good conduct” or “criminal record check”). A police certificate is an official document issued by the police in your country that confirms that you have no criminal record or, if you do, describes those records.
The Canadian government requires a police certificate to ensure that you are not a threat to the security and public safety of Canada. If you have serious criminal records, especially for violence, sexual offenses, or drugs, you may be deemed inadmissible and denied permission to study. However, minor offenses and infractions committed many years ago may be overcome, especially if you have demonstrated correction, education, and positive actions since then.
Police certificates may vary depending on the country in which they are issued. For example, in the United States, a police certificate is called an “Identity History Summary” and is issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). To obtain a police certificate from Ukraine, you need to contact your local police (for persons living in Ukraine) or the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (for those living abroad). The process of obtaining a police certificate can take several weeks.
Step Six: Complete Preparation of All Documents
Once you have received your letter of acceptance, PAL, proof of financial ability, medical report (if required), and police certificate (if required), it is time to organize all these documents into a single package for submission. In addition to the documents already mentioned, you must also have the following on hand:
Valid passport or travel document – this is the most essential document you will need. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your trip to Canada and have enough space for immigration stamps.
English language test results – if English is not your first language, you must demonstrate your level of English proficiency. The Canadian government accepts test results from IELTS, TOEFL, CELPIP, and other approved tests. The minimum requirements vary depending on the specific province and institution, but in most cases, a minimum of 6.0 on the IELTS or equivalent is required.
Copies of educational documents – you will need to provide official copies of your high school diploma, higher education diplomas (if applicable), and any other educational certificates you have.
Written explanatory note – in some cases, IRCC may ask you to provide a written explanation of certain aspects of your application – for example, if you had a gap in your education, why you chose to study at this particular institution in Canada, or to clarify any other issues.
All documents written in a language other than English must be officially translated into English by a certified translator.
Step Seven: Submit your application online
The Canadian government requires almost all students to apply for a study permit online through the secure IRCC web portal, rather than on paper. Online applications are faster, more secure, and less prone to errors and delays than paper applications.
The first step in applying online is to create an account on the IRCC website. You must visit the website and register using your email address and password. Once you have created an account, you will have access to the following tools: the ability to complete the application form, upload documents, check the status of your application, and make payments.
The second step is to download and complete the application form called IMM 1294 (Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada). You need to download the latest version of this form from the IRCC website, as the form is updated frequently. It is very important to download the latest version of the form, as using an outdated version may result in your application being rejected.
Form IMM 1294 has several sections in which you provide personal information (name, date of birth, address, passport details), information about your intended studies in Canada (name of institution, program, level of study, start date), information about your work and education, information about family members who may be included in the application, and more.
When completing the IMM 1294 form, it is very important to be accurate and honest. Inaccurate information, even if it is a mistake, can lead to a delay in processing your application or even its rejection. It is a good idea to first fill out the form on a document (e.g., in Word), check all the information, and then fill out the official form on the IRCC website.
When you have finished filling out the form, you must click the “Validate” button. This will check the form for errors and incomplete mandatory fields. If the form has errors, the system will tell you, and you can correct the errors before formally submitting your application.
Step Eight: Uploading Documents
After completing the IMM 1294 form, you will need to upload all required documents to the IRCC website. The IRCC system will generate a personalized document checklist based on your answers to the form and information about your country of origin. This checklist specifies exactly which documents you need to upload.
All documents must be scanned and saved as PDF or image files (e.g., JPG or PNG). Each file must be less than 4 MB in size. If you have documents that are not in English, you must upload both the original document and an official English translation.
Step Nine: Pay the Fees
Before you can officially apply for a study permit, you must pay all the required fees. The cost of applying for a study permit is 150 Canadian dollars. In addition, if you are required to provide biometric data, the cost is 85 Canadian dollars for an individual or 170 Canadian dollars for a family.
If you are from a country that requires an entry visa to enter Canada, you must also pay a mobile entry visa (Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) fee of 100 Canadian dollars. However, if you are from the United States, Australia, or certain other countries and can enter Canada without a visa or with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), this fee does not apply.
In general, your basic application fee for a study permit can range from $235 to $335 CAD, depending on your situation. In addition, if you need a medical examination or police clearance, you will need to pay additional fees ranging from $50 to $300 CAD.
Payment can be made by credit or debit card through the secure IRCC portal. Payment must be made in Canadian dollars. If you pay with a foreign credit card, your bank may charge a currency conversion fee.
Important: When paying the three fees (study permit fee, biometric fee, and in some cases, entry visa fee), you must pay them all at the same time when you submit your application. If you do not pay all the required fees, IRCC will not begin processing your application.
Step Ten: Formally Submit Your Application and Receive Your Letter of Introduction
Once you have completed the form, uploaded all your documents, and paid all the required fees, it is time to formally submit your application. You click the “Submit” button on the IRCC website, and your application is officially received by the Canadian federal government.
Immediately after submitting your application, the IRCC system will give you an application number and issue a Letter of Introduction. The Letter of Introduction is a very important document that you must print out and keep in a safe place. This letter contains your personal information, application number, information about your study program, and the date when a decision on your application is expected. When you arrive in Canada at the port of entry, you must present this letter to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer to receive your actual study permit.
Processing times and monitoring application status
The processing time for a study permit varies depending on where you apply and how many applications IRCC has at the time. If you are applying from outside Canada (i.e., you are not in Canada at the time of application), the average processing time is approximately 12 weeks or 84 days. However, during periods of high demand, especially between June and September when many students are starting their programs, processing times can exceed 12 weeks and take 15-20 weeks.
If you are applying from within Canada (i.e., you are already in Canada), the processing time frame is significantly shorter—approximately 4 weeks instead of 12. This is one reason why some students arrive in Canada as visitors and then apply for a study permit from within the country in order to get faster processing.
If you fall into the doctoral student category, you may be eligible for expedited processing. IRCC processes doctoral student applications in 2 weeks, which is a significant acceleration compared to the standard 12 weeks. This is established in government policy to encourage the most qualified and motivated students to come to Canada to study.
To monitor the status of your application, you can use the IRCC website, using your application number and date of birth. On the website, you will be able to see whether your application is in the “Received,” “Current Processing,” “Requested for Additional Documents,” or “Decision” status.
Arrival in Canada and obtaining your actual study permit at the port of entry
The study permit issued during the online application process is actually a letter of admission, not the actual study permit that you will actually use to study in Canada. The actual study permit is issued by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the port of entry when you enter Canada.
When you arrive at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) or any other Canadian port of entry (e.g., Vancouver Airport, Toronto Airport), do the following:
First, if you are arriving by plane, you must answer questions at the Primary Inspection Kiosk at the airport. At this kiosk, you will be asked to provide some information about yourself, such as where you are flying to, how long you plan to stay in Canada, and what you have in your luggage. The system will give you a receipt with information about your interview.
Second, you must present this receipt to the CBSA officer at the next checkpoint. The officer will ask you to show the letter of entry that you printed before your flight, your passport, and the letter of acceptance from your educational institution in Edmonton.
Third, the officer will talk to you and ask you about your study program, the city you are going to (Edmonton), your financial ability, and your intention to return to your country after completing your studies. The officer will verify that you meet all the criteria for a study permit.
Fourth, if the officer is satisfied with your answers and documentation, he or she will issue you an actual study permit, which will be stamped in your passport or issued as a separate document. This permit will indicate the expiration date of the permit (usually the end date of your study program plus 90 days), the conditions you must follow (for example, “allowed to work 24 hours per week off campus during the academic semester”), and other important information.
Very important: check your study permit before leaving the officer's desk to make sure all the information is correct. If there is an error in your first name, last name, date of birth, or other critical information, you must immediately notify the officer so that they can correct the error before you leave the office. An error on your permit could lead to serious problems later when you register at an educational institution or try to work.
Important conditions and responsibilities for students while in Canada
Once you have received your study permit, you must comply with certain conditions that are written on your permit. First, you must study at an approved institution (DLI), such as MacEwan University or NAIT in Edmonton, and you cannot change institutions or programs without obtaining a new permit. If you want to change your program or institution, you must apply for a new study permit.
Second, you must study full-time unless your permit states otherwise. Your study permit assumes that you have entered Canada to study, not to work, so you must have 9-12 credit hours per semester (this varies depending on the program).
Third, if your permit states that you are allowed to work, you may work no more than 24 hours per week during the academic semester and unlimited hours during vacation periods. If you work more than is permitted, you are violating the terms of your permit, which could result in the loss of your student status and deportation from Canada.
Fourth, you must keep your study permit valid and apply for a renewal in a timely manner if your program lasts longer than the validity of your permit. If your permit expires and you do not apply for a renewal in a timely manner, you will lose your student status and must leave Canada immediately.
Extending your study permit
If your study permit expires and you are still enrolled in your program, you can apply to extend your study permit. It is important to understand the difference between extending your permit (extension) and obtaining a new permit (new permit).
If you are in Canada and want to extend your permit, you apply for an extension. You can start applying for an extension 120 days before your current permit expires. The application for an extension is submitted online, and you use form IMM 5709 instead of IMM 1294.
However, if you leave Canada before your permit expires (for example, to go home on vacation), you cannot extend your permit from abroad. Instead, when you want to return to Canada, you must apply for a new study permit from your country. If your permit has already expired, you can apply for restoration of status in Canada, but this costs an additional $229 CAD and involves a more complicated procedure.
Conclusion: Strategy for Success
Applying for a study permit in Canada may seem like a complicated process, but with a proper understanding of each step and clear instructions, it is entirely feasible. The most important thing is to start the process as early as possible, as the processing time can be long, especially during periods of high demand. From choosing an approved educational institution in Edmonton and obtaining a letter of acceptance, to receiving a provincial certification letter, preparing proof of financial capacity, and uploading all the necessary documents, every step counts. It is recommended that you keep copies of all documents, pay all fees on time, and ensure that you have provided accurate and complete information. When you arrive in Edmonton and receive your actual study permit at the port of entry, make sure that all the information on it is correct. By following these recommendations and strictly adhering to the process, you are well on your way to a successful start to your studies in Canada.