Complete Canada Study Permit Document Checklist 2025

Mandatory Documents for All Applicants

Every study permit application requires these core documents, regardless of your country of origin or chosen program. Getting these right forms the foundation of a strong application.

Letter of Acceptance (LOA)

Your Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is the cornerstone of your application. Not all acceptance letters meet IRCC requirements.

What immigration officers look for:

• DLI number clearly stated
• Program start and end dates
• Tuition fees and payment deadlines
• Academic prerequisites confirmation
• Official letterhead and authorized signature

Real mistake we’ve seen: Students submitting conditional acceptance letters without meeting the conditions first. If your letter says “conditional upon English proficiency test scores,” you must submit those scores before applying for your study permit.

What this means for you: Contact your school’s international office to confirm your letter includes all required elements. Some schools issue preliminary letters that aren’t sufficient for IRCC.

Proof of Financial Support

Financial documentation is where most applications fail. IRCC wants proof you can afford tuition, living expenses, and return transportation without working illegally in Canada.

Required amounts (2025):

• Tuition fees (full amount for first year)
• Living expenses: $15,000/year (or $20,000/year if studying in Quebec)
• Return transportation costs
• Additional $4,000 for each accompanying family member

Acceptable proof includes:

• Bank statements (last 4-6 months)
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
• Scholarship letters
• Education loan approval letters
• Affidavit of Support from sponsor

If you’re using a sponsor: They must provide their bank statements, employment letter, tax returns, and a notarized Affidavit of Support explaining their relationship to you and commitment to funding your education.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Showing large, unexplained bank deposits right before application. Officers flag sudden money movements as potential fraud. Your financial history should show consistent, explainable income sources.

Identity Documents and Photographs

Required documents:

• Valid passport (must be valid for duration of intended stay)
• Birth certificate
• Two passport-sized photographs meeting IRCC specifications

Photo specifications:

• 35mm x 45mm
• Taken within last 6 months
• White or neutral background
• No shadows on face or background
• Head covering only for religious purposes

What this means for you: Don’t use phone photos or photo booth pictures. Professional passport photos from certified photographers save processing delays.

Language Proficiency Certificates

You must prove English or French proficiency through approved tests, unless exempted.

Accepted tests and minimum scores:

• IELTS Academic: Varies by program (typically 6.0-7.0 overall)
• TOEFL iBT: Varies by program (typically 80-100)
• PTE Academic: Varies by program
• CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

Exemptions apply if you:

• Completed previous education in English/French
• Are from certain English-speaking countries
• Have been accepted to a French-language program in Quebec

Real mistake we’ve seen: Submitting IELTS General instead of IELTS Academic. Make sure you take the correct test version for study permit applications.

If you’re applying from India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh: Higher language scores often strengthen applications from these countries due to historical fraud concerns.

Country-Specific Additional Requirements

Immigration officers apply different scrutiny levels based on your country of origin. If you’re from a country with high refusal rates, additional documentation is typically required.

High-Risk Country Additional Documents

If you’re applying from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Ghana:

Educational credential assessment (ECA) may be required:

• WES (World Education Services) evaluation
• ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service)
• IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service)

Enhanced financial documentation:

• Detailed explanation of fund sources
• Property valuations if using real estate as financial proof
• Business registration documents if self-employed sponsor
• Income tax returns for last 3 years (you and sponsors)

Family ties documentation:

• Marriage certificates
• Birth certificates of children
• Property ownership documents
• Employment contracts showing ties to home country

What this means for you: Don’t view additional requirements as discrimination—they’re risk mitigation based on historical data. Strong documentation from these countries often leads to faster approvals.

Medical Examination Requirements

Medical exams are required if you’re:

• From certain countries (includes most African, Asian, and some South American countries)
• Studying programs involving clinical rotations
• Planning to stay longer than 6 months

Process:

1. Find an IRCC-approved panel physician in your country
2. Schedule exam after receiving instructions (don’t do it early—results expire)
3. Physician uploads results directly to IRCC
4. You receive confirmation receipt

Real mistake we’ve seen: Getting medical exams too early. Results expire after 12 months, and you may need to repeat the exam if your application takes longer than expected.

Police Certificates by Country

Police certificates are required from every country where you’ve lived for 6+ consecutive months since age 18.

Processing times vary:

• India: 2-4 weeks (through Passport Seva Kendra)
• Nigeria: 4-6 weeks (through Nigeria Police Force)
• Pakistan: 3-5 weeks (through local police stations)
• UAE: 1-2 weeks (through MOHRE or local police)

What this means for you: Start this process early. Some countries require you to be physically present to apply, which can complicate timeline planning.

If you’re currently living outside your home country: You typically need police certificates from both your home country and current country of residence.

Financial Documentation Requirements

Financial proof is the most scrutinized part of your application. Officers want to see not just that you have money, but that it’s legitimately yours and sufficient for your entire stay.

Bank Statements and Specifications

What officers look for:

• Consistent balance over 4-6 months
• Regular salary deposits or business income
• No large, unexplained deposits
• Account holder name matching applicant or sponsor

Bank statement requirements:

• Official bank letterhead
• Branch stamp and authorized signature
• Account holder details
• 6-month transaction history
• Current balance and average balance
• Bank contact information

Real mistake we’ve seen: Borrowing money from friends/family to show higher balances, then returning it after getting statements. Officers can spot these patterns, and it’s considered misrepresentation.

Scholarship Documentation

If you’ve received scholarships or financial aid:

Required documents:

• Official scholarship award letter
• Payment schedule and amounts
• Scholarship terms and conditions
• Confirmation of scholarship validity

What this means for you: Scholarships significantly strengthen applications, but you still need to show funds for expenses not covered by the scholarship.

Sponsor Financial Evidence

If someone else is funding your education:

Sponsor must provide:

• Employment letter with salary details
• Bank statements (6 months)
• Income tax returns (3 years)
• Property ownership documents
• Business registration (if self-employed)
• Notarized Affidavit of Support

Relationship documentation required:

• Birth certificates showing family relationship
• Marriage certificates
• Adoption papers (if applicable)

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Include a detailed letter from your sponsor explaining their motivation for supporting your education and their financial capacity to do so throughout your program.

Proof of Funds Calculations

Calculate your total required funds:

1. First-year tuition fees (full amount)
2. Living expenses ($15,000 or $20,000 in Quebec)
3. Return transportation ($2,000-5,000 depending on origin)
4. Additional family member costs ($4,000 each)

Real mistake we’ve seen: Only showing funds for the first semester instead of the full first year. Officers want to see you can afford the entire first year without working.

Document Preparation Best Practices

How you prepare and present your documents can be as important as having the right documents. Poor document quality and organization create unnecessary delays.

Translation Requirements

All documents not in English or French must be translated by certified translators.

Translation requirements:

• Certified translator with official stamp
• Translator’s credentials and contact information
• Both original and translated versions submitted
• Affidavit from translator confirming accuracy

What this means for you: Don’t use online translation services or have friends translate documents. Only certified translations are accepted.

Certification and Notarization

Documents requiring notarization:

• Affidavit of Support
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (if applicable)
• Any affidavits or sworn statements

Documents requiring certification:

• Copies of original documents (passport, birth certificate, etc.)
• Educational transcripts and certificates
• Police certificates (some countries)

Real mistake we’ve seen: Submitting photocopies without proper certification. Officers can’t verify authenticity of uncertified copies.

Digital Submission Standards

File requirements:

• PDF format only
• Maximum 4MB per file
• Clear, legible scans
• All pages included
• Proper orientation

Scanning best practices:

• Use 300 DPI minimum resolution
• Ensure good lighting
• Scan in color for official documents
• Check every page is readable before uploading

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Create a master document list with file names and descriptions to ensure you don’t miss anything during upload.

Submission Process and Organization

The final step—submitting your documents—requires careful attention to IRCC’s technical requirements and organization standards.

Document Upload Procedures

Through IRCC online portal:

1. Create account and start application
2. Complete all forms thoroughly
3. Upload documents in specified categories
4. Pay fees and submit
5. Print confirmation receipt

What this means for you: Don’t rush the upload process. Double-check every document before submitting—you can’t easily add missing documents later.

File Naming Conventions

Use clear, descriptive names:

• “Passport_LastName_FirstName.pdf”
• “BankStatement_January2025_LastName.pdf”
• “LetterOfAcceptance_UniversityName_LastName.pdf”

Real mistake we’ve seen: Using generic names like “Document1.pdf” or “Scan.pdf” makes it difficult for officers to review your application efficiently.

Quality Requirements for Scans

Before submitting, verify:

• All text is clearly readable
• No pages are cut off or skewed
• Colors appear accurate
• File size meets requirements
• All required pages are included

If you’re applying from a country with frequent power outages or internet issues: Consider submitting from a reliable location with stable internet to avoid upload errors that could delay your application.

Resources from AVID

📎 Complete Document Checklist

Country-specific checklist with timeline and preparation tips

[Download Checklist →]

📝 Sample Statement of Purpose Template

Proven template with examples from successful applications

[Get Template →]

📄 Document Quality Verification Guide

Step-by-step guide to ensure your documents meet IRCC standards

[Access Guide →]

🧠 Common Study Permit FAQs

Answers to the questions we hear most from applicants