Canada Study Permit in 2026: New Rules Pakistani Students Must Plan For
Canada is still one of the top study destinations for Pakistani students, but the rules have tightened sharply over the last two years. If you're aiming for an intake in 2026 or early 2027, here are the changes that decide whether your application even gets assessed.
1. You need to show more money
For study-permit applications submitted from 1 September 2025 onward, a single applicant must prove access to at least CAD 22,895 for living costs — and that is on top of first-year tuition and travel. Each accompanying family member adds roughly CAD 4,000–5,000. Many students still show this through a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) plus genuine bank statements.
2. A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for most students
Most college and undergraduate applicants must now include a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) with their study-permit application. There's an important exception: from 1 January 2026, master's and PhD students at public designated learning institutions are exempt from both the cap and the PAL/TAL requirement.
3. The national cap is still in place
Canada continues to limit new study permits — roughly 155,000 for 2026. Fewer spots means stronger competition, so a weak or incomplete application is more likely than ever to be refused rather than given the benefit of the doubt.
4. Pakistan-specific document checks
Pakistan is among the high-volume countries facing extra banking-document scrutiny. Expect to provide about six months of statements; if yours are in Urdu, you'll need a certified, notarised English translation — see our translation service. Visitor-visa applicants from Pakistan also face added verification steps, with "ties to home" weighing more heavily than before.
Where applications succeed or fail
The pattern is consistent: refusals usually come from unclear funds, a weak study plan, or thin evidence that you intend to return. We help you assemble the GIC and financial proof correctly, line up the PAL where required, and write a study plan that holds together. Explore our visa and study-abroad services, and if your transcripts need legalising first, our attestation service covers that.
Hijrat guides students through funds, PAL, and the full study-permit file from our Aabpara office in Islamabad — serving Rawalpindi and overseas Pakistanis. Fees always itemised before you pay.
Immigration rules and financial thresholds change frequently. This article reflects information available on the date of publication — always confirm current requirements with Hijrat or IRCC (Canada.ca) before applying.