Study in Canada from Pakistan
Canada requires proof of C$23,448 in living funds on top of first-year tuition, a study permit fee of C$150, and usually IELTS 6.0 to 6.5. Most applicants also need a Provincial Attestation Letter, though since 1 January 2026 master's and doctoral applicants at public institutions are exempt. Tuition runs C$20,000 to C$38,000 across three intakes, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit now depends on what you studied, not only where.
Canada at a glance
Updated Sept 2026| Main intakes | September (Fall) · January (Winter) · May (Summer, limited) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition | C$20,000 – C$38,000 per year |
| Proof of funds — single applicant | C$23,448 for living costs, from 1 September 2026 |
| Proof of funds — with a spouse | C$29,192 for two people |
| Plus | First-year tuition and travel costs, on top of the living-cost figure |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.0 overall for most undergraduate programmes, 6.5 for Masters |
| Visa type | Study permit |
| Study permit fee | C$150, plus C$85 biometrics |
| Provincial Attestation Letter | Required for most applicants — master's and doctoral at public institutions exempt from 1 Jan 2026 |
| Work during study | Permitted, within the hours set by current regulations |
| After graduation | Post-Graduation Work Permit, up to 3 years; field-of-study rules apply to non-degree programmes only |
What Canadian institutions want from a Pakistani applicant
After FSc / HSSC
Direct entry to a bachelor's degree at most universities with 60–70% in FSc, and to college diploma programmes below that. Canada is more open to direct FSc entry than the UK.
Designated Learning Institution
Your institution must be a DLI with a valid number, and must be able to issue you a PAL. Check the DLI list before you pay any deposit — this is the single most common way students waste money.
After a Pakistani bachelor's
A 4-year HEC-recognised degree with roughly 65% or a 3.0 CGPA for most Masters programmes. Many students instead take a one- or two-year postgraduate college diploma, which is cheaper and historically led to a work permit.
Financial evidence
A GIC from a participating Canadian bank is the cleanest way to show living funds. It also gives you money on arrival, released to you in instalments.
What it costs
Per year| Item | Local currency | Approx. PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition — college diploma | C$16,000 – C$22,000 | PKR 3.3m – 4.5m |
| Tuition — university bachelor's | C$20,000 – C$38,000 | PKR 4.1m – 7.8m |
| Living costs (proof of funds) | C$23,448 | PKR 4.8m |
| Study permit + biometrics | C$235 | PKR 48,000 |
| Health insurance | C$600 – C$900 | PKR 123,000 – 184,000 |
PKR conversions are approximate and move with the exchange rate. Use them for planning, not for budgeting to the rupee.
Getting your study permit
7 stages- Confirm the institution is a Designated Learning Institution. Check whether you need a Provincial Attestation Letter — since 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral applicants at public institutions do not.
- Apply, receive a Letter of Acceptance, and pay the tuition deposit the institution requires.
- Obtain the PAL or TAL from the institution — your study permit application will be returned without it.
- Buy a Guaranteed Investment Certificate, or assemble equivalent proof of funds.
- Complete the online study permit application, upload documents and pay C$150 plus C$85 biometrics.
- Give biometrics at the visa application centre.
- Complete an upfront medical examination with a panel physician — required for Pakistani applicants.
Working after your degree
The Post-Graduation Work Permit runs up to three years depending on programme length. The field-of-study restriction introduced in November 2024 is the part that matters most when choosing a programme, and it is narrower than most students think: it applies to non-degree programmes — college diplomas and certificates — and not to bachelor's, master's or doctoral graduates, who are exempt regardless of subject. The eligible field list was substantially revised in June 2025, when 119 fields in healthcare, education and the trades were added and 178 were removed. No changes are planned for 2026. If you are considering a college diploma and your plan depends on working in Canada afterwards, check that the specific programme's field is on the current list before you enrol.
Before you apply
Two things decide whether a Canada application works: whether your documents are attested correctly, and whether your English score meets both the university and the visa requirement. Get those wrong and nothing else you do matters.
- The Pakistani attestation chain — IBCC, HEC, MOFA and embassy, in order
- Undergraduate document checklist
- Postgraduate document checklist
- English test requirements by country
Canada — common questions
5 answersWhat is a PAL and do Pakistani students need one?
How much money do I need to show for a Canadian study permit?
Is a college diploma in Canada worth it compared with a university degree?
Can I work while studying in Canada?
Which Canadian intake is best to apply for?
Check these figures yourself
Official sources- IRCC — Study permitEligibility, PAL and how to apply
- IRCC — Proof of financial supportThe current cost-of-living requirement
- IRCC — PGWP field of studyWhich programmes qualify for a work permit
Every figure on this page was taken from these sources on 14 September 2026. Governments revise fees, thresholds and rules without notice, and we would rather you verified a number than took ours on trust. If you find something out of date here, tell us and we will correct it.
Compare with other destinations
4 moreIs Canada the right choice for you?
Bring your transcripts and your English score. We will tell you in one sitting whether this destination is realistic for your profile, and what it would cost you end to end.
Assessment $100. Credited against your fee if you go ahead with us.