A study permit lets you study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Pakistanis apply online to IRCC with a letter of acceptance and usually a provincial/territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), then give biometrics at a VAC. The permit is tied to your study program.
Validity / stayTied to your study program; the officer sets the conditions and the date you must leave Canada, which are shown on the permit.
Official fees (approx.)PKR 46,324
Documents13 items
You must be enrolled at a DLI and prove you can pay your tuition, living costs and return travel for yourself and any family who come with you. You also need a clean record (police certificate if asked) and good health (medical exam if asked), and must satisfy the officer that you will leave Canada when the permit expires.
For applications made on or after 1 September 2026 outside Quebec, IRCC's minimum living-cost amount is CAD 23,448 a year for one student, not counting tuition and travel. Quebec requires a CAQ instead of a PAL. The Islamabad visa office also asks for 12 months of bank statements, an explanation of any large recent deposits, police certificates, past education records and proof of ties to Pakistan.
How to apply
- Get your letter of acceptance and PAL/TAL from your school.
- Gather your proof of funds and the Islamabad visa office documents (IMM 5829).
- Apply online through your IRCC account and pay the fees.
- Give biometrics at the VAC, and do a medical exam if you are told to.
Tick items as you collect them. Your progress is saved on this device.
Converted at today's exchange rate. Embassies and visa centres may use their own rates. Estimate your total cost
This summary is for guidance. Requirements can change at short notice; always confirm on the official website before you apply.
Common refusal reasons & how to avoid them
Not satisfied you will leave Canada (IRPR 179(b))
IRPR 179(b) says an officer issues a temporary resident visa only if satisfied you will leave Canada by the end of your authorised stay. Weak ties, limited travel history, unclear purpose, or a financial situation that does not fit the trip are the usual reasons officers are not satisfied.
How to fix it: Order your GCMS notes through an access to information request to see the officer's exact reasoning. Address each concern with new evidence: employer letter with approved leave, business records, tax returns, property and family documents. Build travel history elsewhere if possible. Include a letter of explanation covering purpose, dates, who pays, and why you will return. Reapply only when the evidence has actually improved.
Insufficient funds for the stay
IRCC requires visitors to have enough money for their stay and return. If bank statements are thin, show recent unexplained deposits, or a host's support is not documented, the officer cannot be sure you can support yourself, and this also feeds doubts about whether you will leave on time.
How to fix it: Provide six months of bank statements, salary slips and FBR tax returns so the officer sees a stable pattern. If a host in Canada supports you, include their invitation letter, proof of status in Canada, employment letter, notice of assessment and address. Explain any large deposits with documents. Show a realistic budget for flights, accommodation and daily costs that fits the length of your stay.
Family ties in Canada outweigh ties at home
Officers compare your family ties in Canada with those in Pakistan. If your parents, spouse or children live in Canada and fewer close family remain at home, the officer may think you have more reason to stay than to return, and refuse under IRPR 179(b).
How to fix it: Show your ties at home clearly: spouse and children in Pakistan, parents you care for, your job or business, and property. Explain in your letter why you must return by a certain date. Keep the visit a reasonable length for the occasion. If relatives in Canada have hosted visitors before who returned on time, mention it with evidence. Be honest about every family member's status.
Purpose of visit not consistent with temporary stay
If your travel plans, length of stay or documents suggest that you may study, work or settle rather than simply visit, IRCC concludes the purpose is not consistent with a temporary stay. Very long trips, vague plans, or contacts with employers can all create this impression.
How to fix it: Explain the exact purpose and dates of your visit in a letter of explanation, and attach supporting evidence such as an invitation, event details, conference registration or a day-by-day itinerary. Keep the length of stay appropriate for the purpose. If your real aim is to study or work, apply for the correct study or work permit instead of a visitor visa. Make sure every document tells the same story.
Misrepresentation (IRPA section 40)
Section 40 of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act treats directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts as misrepresentation. Failing to declare a previous refusal from any country is a common example. A finding makes you inadmissible to Canada for five years.
How to fix it: Always answer yes to previous refusal questions if you have ever been refused a visa or entry by any country, and give details. If you receive a procedural fairness letter alleging misrepresentation, respond fully and honestly within the deadline, ideally with help from a licensed consultant or lawyer. If a finding has been made, wait until the five-year period ends and then apply with complete disclosure.
Not satisfied as a genuine student (IRPR 216)
IRPR 216 requires the officer to be satisfied you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised study period and that you meet study permit requirements. A weak study plan, a course unrelated to your background, unexplained gaps or unclear finances are common reasons for refusal.
How to fix it: Write a clear study plan explaining why this programme, this institution and Canada, how it builds on your previous education and work, and what job you expect in Pakistan afterwards. Show funds for tuition and living costs held over time. Explain any study gaps with evidence. Request your GCMS notes to understand the detailed reasons before you reapply with genuinely stronger evidence.
Check your own risk
