Key Changes for 2025
Higher financial proof required
- From September 1, 2025, proof of funds for a single international student (outside Quebec) will increase to CAD 22,895 per year (living expenses only, excluding tuition & travel) from the earlier CAD 20,635.
- The required amount scales up if there are accompanying family members. E.g. for two people it’s ~CAD 28,502; for three ~CAD 35,040 etc.
Cap on number of study permits
- Canada has set a cap for 2025 at around 437,000 new study permits. This is a drop from previous years.
- Part of this is to manage pressures on housing, infrastructure, and public services.
New / adjusted Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letters (PAL / TAL)
- Many applicants will need a PAL or TAL with their application—these letters show that the province or territory is okay with the number of international students coming in.
- Exemptions apply: for example, K-12 students, or those already in Canada and applying for extension in the same study level & institution sometimes.
Changes in Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility
- The “field of study requirement” was introduced for certain college programs: students must graduate from eligible programs to qualify for PGWP.
- There was some fluctuation: some programs were removed, then later added back, and IRCC has delayed further large-scale changes until early 2026.
Visa rejection rates & stream/program changes
- The rejection rate for student visas has increased. For example, for Indian students, there has been a sharper drop in approvals and higher refusal rates.
- The Student Direct Stream (SDS) has seen changes: its faster visa route advantages have reduced or been removed for many applicants.
Implications / What to Watch Out For
- Budgeting and financial planning: You’ll need more funds upfront—not just tuition, but substantially more living cost funds depending on family size.
- Choosing your program carefully: Since PGWP eligibility depends on your program, verify whether your prospective course / college is eligible.
- Timing: Make sure your application, program start date, etc., align with the new rules. Some changes depend on when you start your program or when you apply for the permit.
- Prepare documentation thoroughly: Proof of tuition payment, housing, bank statements, etc., will be under stricter scrutiny.
- Alternative plans: With caps and higher rejection rates, having backup institutions / alternate courses can help in case your first choice runs into difficulties under the new rules.
Here’s a checklist and guidance (with 2025-updates) for Indian students applying for a Canada study permit under the new rules. Use this as your roadmap so you don’t miss anything.
Checklist: Documents & Requirements
| Item | What to Prepare / Notes |
|---|---|
| Letter of Acceptance (LOA) | From a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). It should include program name, start & end dates, tuition fee amount. |
| Provincial / Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL / TAL) | Most applicants must include this. It confirms you are within the province’s allotted international student quota. Exemptions apply (e.g. K-12 students, extensions at same DLI & same level) |
| Proof of Identity / Passport | Valid passport / travel document. Copy of the biographical page. |
| Proof of Financial Support | You must show enough funds to cover:
• Tuition fees • Living expenses (housing, food, etc.) • Transportation (return trips) Methods: bank statements (last 4 months), student/education loan letter, proof of scholarship, bank draft in convertible currency etc. Updated requirement for 2025: living cost proof requirement increased to CAD 22,895 for a single student (excluding tuition & travel). |
| Medical / Health Examination | If your country requires, you’ll need to undergo a medical exam by an IRCC-approved physician. |
| Police / Background Checks | If required, you may need to submit a police certificate or proof of good conduct / no criminal record. |
| Biometrics | You’ll likely be asked to give fingerprints & photo (unless exemption applies). |
| Application Forms | For Indians, key forms include:
• IMM 1294 (Application for Study Permit) • IMM 5483 (Document Checklist) • Family Information (IMM 5707) • Any other forms per visa-office instructions (IMM 5818, IMM 5957 etc.) |
| Passport-sized Photographs | As per IRCC specifications. |
| Statement of Purpose / Letter of Explanation | Explain your study plan, why that institution & course, how you’ll support yourself, intent to return etc. (Often recommended even if not strictly listed) |
| English / French Language Test (if required by institution) | IRCC itself may not strictly mandate IELTS/TOEFL, but most Canadian institutions will require proof of English or French proficiency. |
🔍 Additional / 2025-Specific Rules & Tips
- Cap on Study Permits (437,000)
For 2025, IRCC has capped new study permits at 437,000 (a ~10% drop from 2024).
Because of this, even having complete documents doesn’t guarantee issuance—quota constraints may come into play. - Graduate / Master’s / Doctoral Students Must Use PAL
Previously, master’s / PhD students were sometimes exempt from the attestation requirement, but in 2025 they are included under PAL / TAL requirement. - Changing Schools / DLIs Requires New Study Permit
From 8 November 2024, and fully in effect by 2025, most students wishing to transfer from one DLI to another must apply for a new study permit before making the switch. You can’t just notify IRCC and move. - Field of Study Requirement for PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit)
- New rule: for non-degree programs, to qualify for PGWP you must graduate from an eligible field of study linked to labor shortage / priority sectors.
- On July 4, 2025, IRCC reinstated some previously removed fields, so the list of eligible fields was adjusted.
- Importantly: If you applied for your study permit before June 25, 2025 and your field was eligible then, you remain eligible even if it was later removed.
- Higher Rejection Rates / More Scrutiny (Especially Indian Applicants)
- Reports suggest Canada is rejecting a high percentage of Indian student visa applications in 2025 under stricter rules. Be extra careful about consistency, clarity in financials, and legitimacy of your LOA / sponsor documents.
- Fraud checks are stricter: IRCC will more closely verify institution authenticity, transcripts, bank documents etc.
- Validity of Permits
- A study permit is usually valid for the duration of your study program + extra 90 days to allow you to leave Canada or apply for extension.
- If your permit will expire before you finish your program, you must apply to extend it.
- You cannot extend to move to a de-designated institution (if the DLI loses its status) to begin a new program.
- Timing & Submission Strategy
- Apply as early as possible. Processing delays and backlogs are growing (especially with high volume).
- For school / program changes, leave ample lead time because of the requirement for a new permit.
- Keep all documents authentic, clearly organized, and ready to submit extra evidence if asked.
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