Study in
Canada offers well-regarded public institutions at lower tuition than the US or UK, with a defined post-graduation work permit route. It has also changed its international student rules more often than any other destination — current information matters more here than anywhere else.
Immigration and cost information on this page was last reviewed on . Every figure below shows the organisation it came from and when it was checked. Rules and fees change — confirm against the official source before you apply or pay anything.
A
Canada built its reputation on a straightforward proposition: solid public institutions, tuition below US and UK levels, and a clear route from graduation into skilled work. Most of that still holds. What has changed is the certainty around it. Since 2024 Canada has introduced a cap on study permits, added the Provincial Attestation Letter requirement, sharply raised the funds threshold, and revised post-graduation work permit eligibility more than once. None of this makes Canada a poor choice — but it does mean that advice from a cousin who went three years ago is not a reliable guide, and that verifying current rules is not optional.
Canadian public institutions are recognised internationally, but the crucial distinction for applicants is between a Designated Learning Institution that is public and one that is private — this affects not only quality but, materially, post-graduation work permit eligibility. Professional licensure in engineering, nursing, teaching and accountancy is regulated provincially and requires a separate process; a Canadian degree does not by itself confer the right to practise in any province, let alone in Nepal.
Winter is a genuine adjustment, not a joke — temperatures in the Prairies and much of Ontario and Quebec fall far below anything experienced in Nepal, and adequate clothing is a real up-front cost. Costs vary dramatically by province: Toronto and Vancouver are among the most expensive cities in North America for accommodation, while Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Halifax and Regina are considerably more manageable. Provincial health coverage for international students differs by province; some include students in the public plan, others require private insurance.
What students from Nepal should know about Canada
B
How qualifications in Canada are structured, and how long each level takes.
English language programmes
8 weeks – 1 year
Delivered by institutions and language schools, often with conditional admission to a linked programme.
College certificate
1 year
Short applied qualifications. Note that programme length affects post-graduation work permit eligibility and duration.
College diploma / advanced diploma
2–3 years
Applied, employment-focused qualifications from public colleges. A well-established and legitimate route, not a lesser option — but institution type matters greatly for work permit eligibility.
Bachelor's degree
3–4 years
Four years is standard at most universities, often with an optional co-op stream adding paid work terms.
Postgraduate certificate / diploma
1–2 years
College-level programmes for graduates seeking applied specialisation. Verify PGWP eligibility carefully for these.
Master's degree
1–2 years
Course-based or thesis-based. Thesis programmes more often carry funding. From January 2026, master's students at public DLIs are exempt from the PAL requirement.
Doctoral degree (PhD)
4–6 years
Requires a supervisor and research proposal. Funding packages combining scholarship, teaching and research assistantship are common.
C
Not every institution offers every intake. Always confirm availability for your specific programme.
Fall
Major intakeSeptember
Start preparing: October–December of the previous year
The largest intake with the fullest programme choice and most funding. Given the permit cap, applying early in this cycle matters.
Winter
SecondaryJanuary
Start preparing: March–May of the previous year
Widely available across colleges and many university programmes, though with less funding and narrower choice.
Summer
LimitedMay
Start preparing: August–October of the previous year
Limited programme availability, mostly in the college sector. Verify for your specific programme.
D
Requirements are set by each institution and each course. Treat the guidance below as a starting point, not a rule.
E
| Test | Typical range |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Commonly 6.0–6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for universities; often 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for colleges |
| PTE Academic | Commonly 58–65 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | Commonly 80–90 overall |
| Duolingo | Accepted by many institutions for admissionAcceptance for admission is separate from what supports a study permit application. Check both, particularly for the Student Direct Stream if it applies to you. |
Admission English and visa English are not the same thing
The institution sets the admission requirement. Separately, some study permit processing streams have had their own English requirements, and these arrangements have changed. Confirm what your institution requires for admission and what IRCC currently requires for the stream you will apply under — do not assume they are the same, and do not rely on guidance published more than a year ago.
F
Where Canada has genuine depth, and what to check before you commit to a field.
Strong demand across both university degrees and applied college diplomas, with well-developed co-op provision.
The largest field by enrolment. Verify PGWP eligibility carefully if considering a private provider.
Programmes accredited by Engineers Canada, with provincial licensure as a separate subsequent process.
Strong demand, though provincial registration requirements are demanding and separate from the degree. Verify the registration route before enrolling.
Growing provision at both master's and postgraduate certificate level.
Well-established college programmes with substantial co-op components.
Strong graduate schools, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia.
Genuine research depth in forestry, water resources and climate, reflecting Canada's own priorities.
Applied programmes closely tied to a sustained infrastructure sector.
Graduate programmes in educational leadership and policy. Teacher certification is provincial and separate.
G
Where a figure is published by an official body we show it with its source. Where it genuinely varies, we say so rather than guessing.
| Tuition — college diplomaGenerally lower than university degree tuition, though this varies by province. | Varies by province and programme |
|---|---|
| Tuition — university degreeEngineering, computing and business programmes typically cost more than arts and social sciences. | Varies by province, institution and programme |
| Proof of financial support (single applicant, outside Quebec)This is in addition to first-year tuition and travel costs. IRCC updates this figure every September — check before you apply. | $23,448 for 12 months Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaReviewed 18 September 2026 |
| Study permit application feeNot retrieved during the current research pass. Confirm the current fee, and the separate biometrics fee, on IRCC's own site before budgeting. | Confirm on the IRCC fee page |
| Biometrics fee | Charged in addition to the permit fee |
| Immigration medical examinationMust be completed by an IRCC-approved panel physician. Fees are set by the clinic. | Set by the panel physician in Nepal |
| Health insuranceSome provinces include international students in the public health plan; others require private cover. Confirm for your specific province. | Depends on province |
| Winter clothingProper winter clothing is a genuine necessity in most of Canada, not an optional purchase. Budget for it. | A real and frequently underestimated first-year cost |
| Document translation and notarisation | Varies by document volume |
| Return airfare, Kathmandu to Canada | Varies by season and route |
| Initial accommodation costsMany Canadian landlords require first and last month's rent up front, which is a substantial initial outlay. | First and last month's rent plus deposit |
Currency amounts are shown in the destination’s own currency. Exchange rates move, so convert close to the time you actually need to transfer funds.
H
We do not publish award amounts without a verified source. Values and criteria change every year — always check the awarding body's own page.
Awarded on academic record at the point of admission, frequently automatically. Value and criteria vary by institution and change annually.
Thesis-based master's and doctoral students are commonly offered packages combining scholarship, teaching assistantship and research assistantship. Arranged with the department and supervisor, not a central office.
Prestigious doctoral awards for students demonstrating academic excellence, research potential and leadership. Nominated by the institution rather than applied for directly.
Limited availability for international students and varying considerably by province and institution. Check the specific institution's financial aid page.
Public colleges commonly offer entrance awards to strong international applicants, often less competitive than university scholarships.
Paid research positions within academic departments, usually attached to a funded project. Contact the department directly.
I
Work rules change often. The conditions on your own visa grant are what actually apply to you.
While studying
During scheduled breaks
Dependants: Spouses of some students may be eligible for an open work permit, but eligibility has been narrowed and now depends on the student's programme level and institution type. Verify current eligibility before making family plans — this is one of the most frequently revised areas of Canadian policy.
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Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
An open work permit allowing graduates of eligible Canadian programmes to work for any employer, intended to build Canadian work experience after study.
Duration
This is not a residency pathway
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Twenty steps from first conversation to arrival. Steps marked "Specific to Canada" do not appear in the same form for other destinations.
We establish your goals and budget, and — given how much Canadian policy has moved — check current rules rather than relying on recent precedent.
Typically: 1 session
Reviewing your record and confirming your funding position against the CAD 23,448 threshold plus tuition and travel.
Typically: 1–2 weeks
Confirm the institution appears on the DLI list and, critically, that your specific programme leads to PGWP eligibility if that matters to your plan. This check belongs here, before applying — not after enrolling.
Typically: Same week
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Duolingo to the institution's standard.
Typically: 4–8 weeks
Transcripts, certificates, references and financial records.
Typically: 2–4 weeks, in parallel
Submitted directly to universities and colleges. Applying early in the cycle matters given the permit cap.
Typically: 2–8 weeks to decision
Issued by the DLI on admission. Verify every detail, including programme name, start date and fee figures.
Typically: On admission
Most provinces require you to accept the offer and pay tuition in part or in full before the institution can request your attestation letter.
Typically: 1–2 weeks
The PAL/TAL confirms you hold a place within the province's allocation under the cap. Note that from 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students at a public DLI are exempt from this requirement.
Typically: Varies by province — can be several weeks
Evidence covering the CAD 23,448 living-cost threshold plus first-year tuition and travel, with a traceable source. GIC arrangements are used by many applicants; confirm current requirements.
Typically: 2–4 weeks
A clear written explanation of why this programme, why this institution and why Canada, consistent with your academic history. IRCC assesses whether your plan makes sense as a whole.
Typically: 1 week
Lodged through the IRCC portal with the LOA, PAL/TAL where required, financial evidence and supporting documents.
Typically: 1 day to lodge
Attend the designated collection point after receiving the biometrics instruction letter.
Typically: 1–2 weeks
Completed with an IRCC-approved panel physician in Nepal. Book promptly — appointment availability is often the constraint.
Typically: 1–3 weeks
IRCC may request police certificates or further documentation. Respond fully and within the stated deadline.
Typically: As requested
On approval you receive a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction. This is not the permit itself — the study permit is issued when you arrive in Canada.
Typically: Varies
Arranging accommodation and booking travel. Note that many landlords require first and last month's rent.
Typically: 2–4 weeks
Covering arrival, the port of entry process, banking, SIN application, health cover by province, and winter preparation.
Typically: Before departure
Present your Port of Entry Letter, passport, LOA and financial evidence to the border services officer, who issues the actual study permit. Carry these in hand luggage.
Typically: On arrival
Complete enrolment, apply for a Social Insurance Number if you will work, arrange provincial or private health cover, and open a bank account.
Typically: First 2 weeks
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Each document is marked as needed for admission, for the visa, or only in certain circumstances.
Valid passport
With adequate validity for the intended period of study.
Academic transcripts and certificates
Complete records for all previous study.
English test result
To the institution's required standard.
Statement of purpose / study plan
Also used to support the study permit application.
Letters of recommendation
Required by most graduate programmes.
Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
From a Designated Learning Institution. The study permit application depends on it.
Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL)
Required for most applicants. Master's and doctoral students at a public DLI are exempt from 1 January 2026.
Proof of financial support
Covering the CAD 23,448 threshold plus tuition and travel, with a documented source.
Proof of tuition payment
Usually required to obtain the PAL and strengthens the permit application.
Immigration medical examination
Completed with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
Biometrics
Fingerprints and photograph at a designated collection point.
Police clearance certificate
Where requested by IRCC.
Custodian declaration
Where the applicant is a minor.
Marriage certificate and spouse documents
Where a spouse accompanies you or applies for an open work permit.
M
Study permit
Admission document required
Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, plus a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter where required
Applied through
IRCC secure online account
Visa application fee
Funds you must show
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaReviewed 18 September 2026
How the funds requirement actually works
For applications made on or after 1 September 2026, you must show CAD 23,448 for living costs for a single applicant studying outside Quebec, in addition to your first year's tuition and return travel. IRCC updates this figure every year — assume it will rise again and budget above the minimum. Additional amounts apply for accompanying family members. Funds must be genuinely available to you and traceable to a documented source.
Fingerprints and a photograph are required, collected at a designated collection point after you receive the biometrics instruction letter.
There is no routine interview for a Canadian study permit. IRCC may request additional documents or, occasionally, an interview. Some institutions conduct their own pre-admission interviews.
Processing time
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaReviewed 26 August 2026
A spouse may be eligible for an open work permit and dependent children may accompany you, but eligibility has been narrowed and now depends on your programme level and institution type. Including family members also increases the funds you must demonstrate. Verify current eligibility before making plans.
Track through your IRCC account and respond to any request for further information within the deadline given.
Questions
CAD 23,448 for living costs for a single applicant studying outside Quebec (for applications made on or after 1 September 2026), plus your first year's tuition and return travel. IRCC updates this figure every year — budget above the minimum rather than exactly at it. Additional amounts apply for accompanying family members.
A Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter confirms you hold a place within your province's allocation under Canada's study permit cap. Most applicants need one, and most provinces require you to accept your offer and pay tuition before the institution can request it. From 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students at a public DLI are exempt.
Not necessarily, and this is the most important thing to check before you enrol rather than after you graduate. PGWP eligibility depends on the institution being an eligible DLI, the programme meeting minimum length requirements, and — for some applicants — field-of-study requirements introduced recently. Private college programmes in particular have had eligibility restricted. Verify for your exact programme on IRCC's site.
Because they do. Since 2024 Canada has introduced a study permit cap, added the PAL requirement, sharply raised the funds threshold, and revised PGWP and spousal work permit eligibility more than once. This is the one destination where advice from someone who applied even two years ago is likely to be materially wrong.
Possibly, but eligibility for a spousal open work permit has been narrowed and now depends on your programme level and institution type. It is no longer broadly available as it once was. Verify current eligibility before making any family plans.
No — Canada's public college sector delivers genuinely employment-focused qualifications and is well regarded by employers. The important distinction is not college versus university but public versus private, and whether your specific programme carries PGWP eligibility. Check that, not the label.
Cold enough that proper winter clothing is a necessary up-front cost, not an optional one. Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and much of Ontario and Quebec see temperatures far below anything in Nepal. Vancouver and Victoria are considerably milder. Factor both climate and cost into your choice of province.
Immigration and cost information on this page last reviewed . Rules, fees and thresholds change — always confirm against the official source before you apply.
Latest updates
Recent verified changes that may affect your plans to study in Canada.
For study permit applications made on or after 1 September 2026 to study outside Quebec, a single applicant must show CAD 23,448 for the first year's living expenses, up from CAD 22,895. Tuition and travel are additional, and Quebec sets its own amounts.
IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, including 155,000 for newly arriving students. Since 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students enrolled at a public designated learning institution no longer need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL).
Since 1 April 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate work permit for work placements required by their programme, such as co-op placements and internships. IRCC is withdrawing eligible pending co-op work permit applications.
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