Study in Canada from Pakistan: Cost, Visa & Timeline

By Faham Baloch · September 28, 2026 · 8 min read

Study in Canada from Pakistan: a student checking study permit documents and a Canadian university offer

Last checked: 28 September 2026 against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pages on canada.ca: proof of financial support (updated 28 August 2026), provincial attestation letters, off-campus work and the post-graduation work permit. Canadian rules have changed often since 2024. Recheck IRCC before you pay any deposit.

Canada is still one of the most searched destinations for Pakistani students. It has also become stricter. Since 2024, IRCC has added provincial attestation letters, raised the money you must show, and tightened post-graduation work permit rules. Plans built on older advice can easily go wrong.

This guide walks through how to study in Canada from Pakistan under the current rules: choosing a school, the documents IRCC expects, how much money you must prove, what work you can do while studying, and a realistic timeline.

Step 1: Choose a designated learning institution and program

You need an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI), which is a school approved to host international students. IRCC keeps the official DLI list.

If you hope to work in Canada after graduating, check the program's post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligibility before you apply. IRCC is clear that graduating from a DLI does not automatically make you eligible for a PGWP. Key points from IRCC's PGWP pages:

Use the DLI list to check which schools have PGWP-eligible programs.
Since 1 November 2024, most PGWP applicants must give proof of language test results when they apply.
Many non-degree college programs must match eligible fields of study. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates are generally exempt from the field-of-study rule.
How long a PGWP lasts depends on the level and length of your program, and on your passport's expiry date.

Read each course page carefully, including tuition, intake dates and program length. Our checklist on how to choose a university abroad helps you spot problems before you pay.

Step 2: Get your PAL or TAL

A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) is a letter from the province or territory where you will study. It confirms there is space for you. IRCC says a PAL/TAL is usually required to apply for a study permit, and your school normally helps you get it.

Not everyone needs one. IRCC's PAL page has a short questionnaire, and it lists separate scenarios, including students attending a degree-granting graduate program at a public DLI. Answer the questionnaire for your own case rather than relying on a friend's experience. A PAL/TAL is tied to your school and is usually valid only for the year it was issued.

Step 3: Prove you can pay

IRCC says you must prove you have enough money, without working in Canada, to pay for:

tuition for your program;
living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you;
travel to and from Canada.

How much for living expenses?

For study permit applications made on or after 1 September 2026, IRCC's table for all provinces and territories except Quebec lists CA$23,448 per year for a single applicant. Tuition and travel are on top of that. Applications between 1 January 2025 and 31 August 2026 used CA$22,895. If you bring family, the amount rises, and IRCC's table gives the figure for each family size.

Quebec has its own requirements through the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). Check the Quebec government's figures if you plan to study there.

What IRCC looks at

You must show funds for the first year. For longer programs, you also need to explain how you will pay for the rest, for example through a multi-year scholarship or employed parents. IRCC assesses the amount and the source of your money.

For Pakistani families, this is where many applications fail. Large, sudden deposits with no explanation, loans from relatives with no documents, or income that does not match tax records all raise doubts. Build a clear paper trail: salary certificates, tax returns, business records and bank statements that show savings built up over time. IRCC lists several common documents, and a Canadian guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from a participating bank is one of the options.

Step 4: Apply for the study permit

You apply online through your IRCC account with your acceptance letter, PAL/TAL (if needed), proof of funds, passport and any other documents the checklist asks for. Pakistani applicants usually also give biometrics at a visa application centre. Processing times change, so check IRCC's processing-time tool rather than trusting old estimates in Facebook groups.

Keep names and dates identical across your passport, transcripts and bank letters. If your degree documents need attestation for Canadian use, see our guide on HEC degree attestation.

Working while you study

IRCC's off-campus work rules say you can work off campus without a separate work permit if you meet all the conditions. These include being a full-time student at a DLI, having started your program, being in an eligible program at least six months long, having work conditions printed on your study permit, and holding a social insurance number (SIN).

During regular terms: up to 24 hours per week off campus.
During scheduled breaks, such as summer and winter holidays: unlimited hours.
You cannot work before your studies begin.
Students enrolled only in ESL/FSL or general-interest courses cannot work off campus without a work permit.

Part-time wages help, but IRCC expects you to show you can pay without them. Do not build your budget around job income you have not earned yet. For how part-time work compares across countries, see our guide on part-time jobs for students.

What to budget for

Tuition varies hugely by province, institution and program, so use each school's published fees rather than an "average" from a blog. Beyond tuition and the IRCC living-cost figure, Pakistani students should budget for:

application fees for each school;
English test fees;
study permit and biometrics fees (check IRCC's fee page);
the tuition deposit, which is often non-refundable;
flights, warm winter clothing, and the first month's rent plus a deposit;
health insurance, where your province or school requires it.

Before committing family savings, run your plan through our is studying abroad worth it checklist.

English tests

Most Canadian schools need proof of English, often IELTS Academic, TOEFL, PTE or a similar test. Remember that the PGWP now also requires language results, so a solid score helps twice. Our guide to IELTS preparation in one month is a practical starting point.

A realistic timeline

For a September intake, Pakistani applicants should work backwards:

12–15 months before: shortlist programs, check PGWP eligibility, and start preparing financial documents.
10–12 months before: take your English test and apply to schools.
6–9 months before: receive offers, pay the deposit, and request your PAL/TAL through the school.
4–6 months before: submit the study permit application and give biometrics.
1–2 months before: book flights and housing once the permit is approved.

For a wider view of how these steps overlap with other countries, see our how to study abroad from Pakistan timeline.

Scholarships for Pakistani students in Canada

Most funding for international students in Canada is at graduate level, through university awards, research assistantships and supervisor funding. Undergraduate entrance scholarships exist but are usually partial. Compare options on our map of fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students.

Agents, refunds and scams

Some agents push low-cost private colleges because they earn commission, not because the program suits you. Always check the DLI list, PGWP eligibility and the refund policy yourself. Never let anyone submit a study permit application with documents you have not seen. Our guide to scholarship scams covers the most common tricks.

More guides for Pakistani students

Frequently asked questions

How much bank balance do I need to study in Canada from Pakistan?

For applications made on or after 1 September 2026, IRCC requires CA$23,448 per year for a single applicant's living costs outside Quebec. You also need your first year's tuition and travel costs, and IRCC checks where the money came from.

Can I work while studying in Canada?

If you meet IRCC's conditions, you can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during regular terms and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. You cannot start working before your program begins.

Do I need a PAL for a master's degree in Canada?

Most study permit applicants need a PAL/TAL, but IRCC lists separate scenarios, including degree-granting graduate programs at public DLIs. Use IRCC's PAL questionnaire to confirm your own case.

Will I automatically get a work permit after graduating?

No. You must meet PGWP rules, including studying at an eligible program at a DLI and, for most applicants, giving language test results. Check eligibility before you choose your program.

Do this week

Pick three programs. For each, check the DLI list, PGWP eligibility and the published tuition. Then add up tuition plus CA$23,448 plus travel, and compare the total with the funds your family can document.