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Documents Required for Canada Student Visa Checklist

Last updated30th Mar 2026
6 mins read
35.9K views
Ankit Dogra
Published by Ankit Dogra

Canada & UAE Marketing Specialist | Manager - Client Relations & SES

Think you can successfully receive your Canadian student permit since you have received your Letter of Acceptance and your finances are sorted? Think again! Many such applicants have seen their student permit applications rejected because they did not possess the documents required for Canada student visa. 

This Canadian student visa checklist has been designed to help you understand the list of documents you need to submit for your student permit this year. This checklist will allow you to get one step closer to a successful application and subsequently, a much-awaited approval of your student permit and commence your higher studies in Canada.

Let's check out all the documents required for study permit in Canada.

Documents Required for Canada Student Visa Checklist (General)

Here's a checklist you should consider when applying for the Canadian student permit this year.

DocumentMandatoryNotes
Letter of Acceptance (LOA)YesFrom a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL)Yes (in Most Cases)From DLI after accepting the admission offer and paying tuition fees
Valid PassportYesMust cover the full study period
Passport-sized PhotosYesAs per IRCC photo specs
Visa Application Form (IMM 1294)YesCompleted and signed online
Family Info Form (IMM 5645)YesFor applicants with dependents
Tuition Fee Receipt (1 year)YesProof of paid fees or bank receipt
Proof of Funds (GIC or bank)YesMinimum CAD $22,895 (as of 2025)
SOP / Letter of ExplanationYesExplain study intent and post-study plans
Medical Exam Receipt (IME)YesFrom an IRCC-approved panel physician
Police Clearance CertificateYesFrom your home country (if required)
IELTS Academic / PTE Academic / TOEFL iBT Score ReportYesLanguage proof (min IELTS 6.0)
Biometrics Appointment ConfirmationYesRequired after application submission

In addition to these documents, applicants from certain countries may need to submit additional documents. This list of documents can be received from your local visa office. Before sending in your Canadian student permit application form, verify if you possess the correct and complete list of documents with the help of AECC counsellors.

How to Prove Financial Support for Canada Visa?

All international applicants are required to submit proof of sufficient funds to cover the following expenses:

  1. Tuition fees
  2. Living expenses (min. CAD $22,895 per year)
  3. Return travel costs

To prove you possess sufficient funds to cover the above-mentioned expenses for at least the first year of study in Canada, you can submit the following documents:

  • Proof that you have paid the first year of your tuition and housing fees. Additional documents will be required to prove you have the funds to cover other living expenses.
  • proof of a Canadian bank account in the student's name, if you have transferred money to Canada.
  • Bank balance certificate (past 4-6 months)
  • GIC receipt
  • A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars.
  • Education loan letter from a recognised bank
  • Income tax returns or property documents (for family sponsors)

Also Read:

Need help collecting and compiling the necessary documents to apply for your Canadian student permit? Connect with AECC Counsellors who will provide you with the exact Canadian student permit checklist you need to successfully apply and receive your student permit.

What to Include in Your SOP (Statement of Purpose)

A statement of purpose (SOP) is the best document to help solidify your candidature for the Canadian student permit. A well-crafted SOP can help the visa official understand your reasons and motive behind choosing a particular Canadian university, programme or even the country for your higher studies. Listed here are a few points that should be mentioned in your SOP to study in Canada

  • Why you chose Canada and the university
  • Course details and future plans
  • How it relates to your past education/work
  • Financial support explanation
  • Commitment to return or lawful stay after studies

Final Tips Before You Submit

Creating your own checklist of the documents required for student permit in Canada is the most important tip that you should follow. However, as an expert in helping students achieve their study abroad dreams and aspirations, here are some final tips that you should heed when submitting the Canadian student permit documents, as highlighted below.

  • Ensure your finances as per the updated IRCC requirements. Check the IRCC page regularly to ensure you have the right information or connect with us.
  • For Master's and PhD applicants, make use of the IRCC's PAL exception and apply for the student permit even before you receive your PAL.
  • Ensure that you upload the LOA in the designated slot. Do not add it alongside other documents as your proof of finances and scholarship documents.
  • Mandatorily submit your Letter of explanation, even though it is an optional document to submit. Carefully craft your SOP to highlight how your choice to study in Canada is a stepping stone to boost your career back home. Prepare your SOP with expert guidance. It can make a big difference
  • If you are required to pass a pre-requisite course, you will receive your student permit for the duration of the pre-requisite course and an additional 90 days. After clearing the course, you will be required to submit a Student Permit extension from within Canada to enter your main programme.
  • Ensure all your documents can be verified through official contact information like emails, phone numbers and/or physical address of the institutions.
  • You must factor in the increasing student permit backlogs. Once you have received your LOA and PAL/TAL, you must immediately apply for the student permit to maximise the time frame left before you need to enter Canada and start your studies.
  • Always double-check expiry dates on your passport and documents
  • Make sure your GIC and tuition payments are from recognised institutions
  • Get your IELTS/ PTE Academic scores early to avoid delays

This Canada student visa checklist is just one of the few checklists you will need to maintain to ensure a successful student permit application this year. Submitting the documents is just one crucial part of the entire application process. Other parts include filling out the application form correctly and completely, and preparing for the student permit interviews.

You can get a checklist for the documents required for Canada student visa from our expert team of counsellors at AECC. Our team is dedicated to helping students apply for the Canada student permit with complete document support, mock visa interviews, and personalised counselling.

Canada Study Visa Document Checklist FAQs

Ankit Dogra
Published by Ankit Dogra

Canada & UAE Marketing Specialist | Manager - Client Relations & SES

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With over a decade of experience in the overseas education sector, Ankit Dogra is a marketing and student recruitment specialist with deep expertise in the Canada and UAE markets. He has a proven history of success at top multinational companies like AECC, ApplyBoard, and IDP Education.

What makes Ankit's perspective unique is his holistic understanding of the entire student journey. Beyond just admissions, he leads the Student Essential Services (SES) vertical, which includes crucial support like education loans, accommodation, GIC accounts, and money transfers. This means he doesn't just help students get into university; he helps them build their new life abroad.

As a Manager at AECC, Ankit is responsible for growing student enrollment numbers from the South Asia region for Canada and the UAE. His extensive background in digital marketing, certified by a Digital Marketing Course, allows him to provide the most current and effective advice for students navigating the modern, online world of university applications.

Ankit can help you with

  • Navigating Beyond Admissions: Get expert advice on the "next steps" after your acceptance letter, including securing an education loan, finding accommodation, and setting up your finances.
  • Understanding Canada & the UAE: Benefit from his focused expertise in the Canadian and UAE education markets to make informed choices about your future.
  • Building a Digital-First Application: Use his certified digital marketing knowledge to understand how to present yourself effectively online to universities and admissions teams.
  • Making a Smooth Transition: Leverage his experience with Student Essential Services to ensure every aspect of your move abroad is planned and stress-free.

Ankit holds an MBA in Marketing, which, combined with his extensive hands-on experience, makes him a powerful guide for any student's international education journey. 

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