Your 2025 Guide to Studying in Canada: Everything International Students Need to Know

By Hossein Alavi, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Immigrative Visa Services

Imagine you’re an international student, accepted into a computer science program at the University of British Columbia, dreaming of working in Canada and maybe even staying permanently. Or perhaps you’re planning to study nursing in Montréal with your spouse by your side. These dreams are within reach, but the path to studying in Canada can feel complex. As a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, I’ve helped students worldwide navigate this journey, and I’m here to guide you. With new rules in 2025, including a cap on study permits, this guide simplifies the essentials: securing your study permit, funding your studies, working through co-op programs, studying in Québec, bringing your spouse, and understanding processing times. Let’s get started!

Starting Strong: Securing Your Study Permit

To study in Canada for a program longer than six months, you need a Study Permit to attend a Designated Learning Institution—a school approved for international students. In Québec, a Québec Acceptance Certificate is also required. You’ll also need to prove you can cover tuition, living expenses, and return travel. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Letter of Acceptance: Get accepted into a Designated Learning Institution, like the Universities, colleges, or CEGEPs in Québec. Check your school’s status on the Government of Canada’s website. Your letter should include program details, start date, and completion date.

  
  

• Provincial Attestation Letter: As of January 22, 2025, most students need a Provincial Attestation Letter to apply for a Study Permit, securing a spot within the 2025 cap of 437,000 approved permits. Your school requests this from the province (e.g., Ontario, British Columbia) after you accept your offer and pay a deposit. In Québec, the Québec Acceptance Certificate often doubles as this letter if it mentions the cap. Exemptions include those extending their Study Permit at the same school.

  
  

• Québec Acceptance Certificate (if applicable): For Québec programs over six months, apply through the Québec government’s portal with your letter of acceptance, proof of financial support (depending on your country) and a valid passport.Short programs under six months don’t need this.

  
  

• Language Skills: A language test is not required for a Study Permit. However, most Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) require proof of English or French proficiency — through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, TEF, or DELF — in order to issue your Letter of Acceptance. If you don't have an official test result, many institutions still accept online pathway programs through affiliated Canadian language schools.

  Including a valid language test result with your Study Permit application is optional, but it can strengthen your application.

  
  

• Financial Proof: Show you can cover the first year's tuition, living expenses, and return travel. My blog post, “2024's Essential Update: Financial Requirements for Studying in Canada”, has a table with amounts by family size. For example, a single student needs $20,635/year outside Québec or $15,078 in Québec, plus tuition. Options include:

  • Six-month bank statements showing consistent funds.

  • A Guaranteed Investment Certificate from a Canadian bank.

  • Student loan approval from your home country with clear terms.

  • Scholarship confirmation from your Canadian school.

  • Sponsor’s documents (e.g., parent’s tax returns, pay stubs, commitment letter).

  • For couples, a joint bank account with a marriage certificate.

    
    

• Other Documents: Include a valid passport, recent photos, and a letter explaining your study goals. Some countries require a medical exam or police certificate, so check the Government of Canada’s website.

  
  

Why This Matters: A complete application is vital. A student from Mexico applied for a Study Permit independently and was refused. After coming to me for resubmission, the case notes showed their bank statements were only three months old, not six. Clear documentation is essential for study permit applications.

Pro Tip: Submit your Study Permit applications right after getting your letter of acceptance. To strengthen your application, include a valid language test result.

Co-op Work Permits for Hands-On Experience

For programs with mandatory co-ops or internships (e.g., engineering, hospitality), you need a Co-op Work Permit:

• Requirements: The co-op must be 50% or less of your program, confirmed by a school letter.

• Application: Apply via the Government of Canada’s portal with your Study Permit or separately. Include the school’s letter and letter of acceptance. Processing is faster (one to two months) with your Study Permit.

  
  

Why This Matters: Co-op experience builds your resume. A client from Colombia applied for a Co-op Work Permit along with her Study Permit application. However, upon arriving at Montreal Airport, she only received her Study Permit document and did not receive the Co-op Work Permit. This issue was not identified until her school inquired about her Co-op Work Permit, which was almost at the end of her studies. As a result, she experienced a delay in completing her studies because she had to submit the Co-op Work Permit application separately.

Pro Tip: Apply for your Co-op Work Permit with your Study Permit. Confirm the co-op requirement with your school. Upon arrival, ensure you receive your Co-op work permit at the port of entry.

Supporting Your Spouse: Spousal Open Work Permit

If your spouse or common-law partner wants to work in Canada while you study, a Spousal Open Work Permit is an option:

• Eligibility: Since early 2024, this permit is for spouses of students in master’s, PhD, or professional programs (e.g., medicine, law). From late 2025, master’s programs under 16 months won’t qualify, so verify your program’s duration.

• Application Process: Apply with your Study Permit or after arriving. Processing takes three to six months, depending on your country. Check the Government of Canada’s processing tool.

Pro Tip: Apply for your spouse’s permit with your Study Permit, including all relationship documents.

How Long Does It Take: Processing Times

Here’s what to expect in 2025:

• Study Permit (Outside Canada): On average, 8 weeks, but this depends on the country you’re applying from and the number of cases being processed by that office, which can cause variations.

• Québec Acceptance Certificate: About 25 business days, up to eight weeks in peak periods.

• Spousal Open Work Permit: Three to six months if submitted separately.

• Co-op Work Permit: One to two months with a Study Permit, three to four months separately.

Tips to Succeed in 2025

To make your study journey a success:

• Choose Wisely: Choose a Designated Learning Institution and program that aligns with your goals.

• Apply Early: Submit applications as soon as possible to beat the cap.

• Seek Guidance: For those seeking admission, EduPal, our education company, offers a complimentary service to Immigrative Study Permit applicants, helping you secure admission from over 1,200 top schools in Canada. You don’t need to use both EduPal and Immigrative services together. If you have already been admitted, Immigrative can assist with your study permit and accompanying family members’ immigration status.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Studying in Canada is a life-changing opportunity, and I’m here to guide you. Whether you have your admission or need help finding the right school, we’ve got you covered. If you have your Letter of Acceptance, Immigrative can streamline your Study Permit process and support your accompanying family members’ status. For those needing admission, EduPal, our education company, provides a complimentary service at no extra cost to Immigrative Study Permit applicants, connecting you with over 1,200 top Canadian schools.

For personalized guidance, consider booking a consultation with Immigrative’s Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs).