Canada Student Visa 2026: Study Permit Process, PAL, GIC & Documents Guide

Canada student visa process — if you are an Indian student planning to study in Canada in 2026, the rules have changed more in the last 18 months than in the previous decade. The Canada student visa process (officially called the "study permit") now involves a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), a GIC of CAD $22,895, stricter document requirements, and an entirely new processing timeline after the discontinuation of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) on November 8, 2024. The study permit cap for 2026 is set at 408,000 — down 7% from 2025 — making each application more competitive than ever. But here is the reality: Indian students who understand the new process and prepare meticulously still have an excellent approval rate. In this comprehensive 2026 guide, EEC — with 27+ years of experience and 50,000+ students placed — walks you through every step of the Canada student visa process: from the DLI acceptance letter to the study permit stamp in your passport. Whether you are applying for a master's programme, a college diploma, or a bachelor's degree after 12th, every Indian student must follow this updated process.

Study Permit Overview — What Changed for Indian Students in 2026

The Canada study permit is not a "visa" in the traditional sense — it is an authorisation document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows you to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). The actual visa (travel document) is the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), which is issued alongside the study permit. For Indian students in 2026, the study permit landscape has undergone seismic shifts:

These changes represent Canada's effort to control international student volumes while maintaining quality. For Indian students, the practical impact is twofold: applications take longer and require more documentation, but the approval rate for well-prepared applicants remains strong. The key is thoroughness — incomplete applications are the number one cause of rejections and delays under the new regular processing stream. EEC has adapted its entire Canada visa process to these 2026 rules, and our students benefit from meticulous document preparation that anticipates every IRCC requirement.

SDS Discontinued — What It Means for Indian Students

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was a fast-track study permit processing stream available to Indian students (and nationals of 13 other countries) that promised 20-45 day processing times. On November 8, 2024, IRCC permanently discontinued SDS. This is one of the most significant policy changes affecting Indian students in recent years. Here is what changed and what it means for your 2026 application:

The loss of SDS means Indian students must now plan 3-4 months in advance instead of 1-2 months. If you are targeting the September 2026 intake, your study permit application should be submitted by late May or early June at the latest. For the January 2026 intake, applications needed to be in by September-October 2025. The extended processing time also means that any request for additional documents from IRCC can push your timeline beyond the course start date — which is why submitting a flawless, complete application the first time is critical.

Step-by-Step Canada Study Permit Process for 2026

The Canada student visa process follows a structured sequence. Indian students who follow each step correctly — and submit every document in the required format — have strong approval odds. Here is the complete step-by-step process for 2026:

The entire Canada student visa process — from receiving your LOA to landing in Canada — takes approximately 4-6 months when accounting for PAL processing, GIC setup, medical exams, and IRCC processing time. Indian students targeting the September 2026 intake should ideally begin their DLI applications by January-February and have their study permit application submitted by May-June. EEC manages every step — from DLI selection to airport briefing — ensuring no deadline is missed and no document is incomplete.

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) — The New Gatekeeping Document

The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is the most significant new requirement in the Canada student visa process. Introduced alongside the study permit cap in January 2024, the PAL is a letter from the province where your DLI is located, confirming that your study permit application counts within that province's allocated share of the national cap. Without a valid PAL, your study permit application will be returned unprocessed by IRCC.

Who Needs a PAL in 2026?

The PAL is typically issued by the provincial government or the DLI itself (depending on the province). Processing times vary: Ontario PALs take 2-4 weeks, BC takes 1-3 weeks, Alberta is 1-2 weeks. Indian students applying to smaller provinces like Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or Nova Scotia often receive PALs faster due to lower application volumes. The critical point is that PAL supply is limited — once a province exhausts its allocation, no more PALs are issued for that intake cycle. This makes early application essential for Indian students in 2026.

GIC Requirement — CAD $22,895 for 2026

The Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is a deposit of CAD $22,895 (approximately ₹15.3 lakh at current exchange rates) in a Canadian bank. This money proves to IRCC that you can cover your living expenses for the first year in Canada. After arrival, the GIC amount is released to you in monthly installments (typically CAD $1,700-1,900/month), essentially serving as your living allowance. Here are the key details Indian students need to know:

The GIC amount increased from CAD $10,000 in 2023 to CAD $22,895 in 2024 — a significant jump that caught many Indian families off guard. Despite being a large upfront cost, the GIC is not an expense — it is your own money that comes back to you in monthly installments throughout the year. Think of it as a forced savings plan that doubles as visa documentation. For Indian students worried about the total cost of studying in Canada, the GIC should be viewed separately from tuition fees — it is a refundable deposit, not a payment. Students using an education loan for Canada can include GIC in their loan amount, and many banks offer specific GIC-inclusive loan packages.

Documents Checklist for Canada Study Permit in 2026

The regular processing stream scrutinises every document more thoroughly than SDS ever did. IRCC officers review your application holistically — financials, academic background, Statement of Purpose (SOP), and ties to India. Here is the complete documents checklist for Indian students applying for a Canada study permit in 2026:

Study Permit Cap — 408,000 for 2026

In January 2024, Canada introduced a cap on study permits — the first time in the country's history that international student numbers were explicitly limited. For 2026, the cap is set at 408,000 study permits, reduced from 437,000 in 2025 (a 7% decrease). Of these 408,000, approximately 180,000 require Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL), with the remainder allocated to exempt categories (master's, doctoral, K-12, and permit renewals).

The cap's impact on Indian students is significant: India has historically been the largest source country for Canadian study permits, accounting for approximately 35-40% of all international students. With the cap reducing overall numbers, provincial allocations become the bottleneck — Ontario and BC absorb the largest shares, but these provinces also receive the most applications from Indian students, creating intense competition. Indian students applying to colleges in smaller provinces may face less competition for PAL allocation but should verify that the programme is PGWP-eligible and the province has an active PNP for PR pathways.

Spouse & Dependent Rules — Updated for 2026

One of the most impactful changes for Indian students in 2026 is the restriction on spousal open work permits. Prior to January 2025, the spouse of virtually any international student in Canada could obtain an open work permit (OWP) — allowing them to work full-time for any employer. This was a major financial and lifestyle advantage for Indian families. The new rules, effective since January 21, 2025, are far more restrictive:

For Indian families who relied on spousal income to help cover Canadian living expenses, this is a significant change. If your spouse's ability to work in Canada is a priority, you must enrol in a master's programme of 16+ months or a doctoral programme. Some Indian students are opting for 2-year master's programmes specifically to qualify for both spousal OWP and a 3-year PGWP — a strategic choice that EEC counsellors frequently recommend. For students with academic backlogs who may not qualify for master's programmes immediately, alternative pathways exist but require careful planning.

Dependent Children Rules

Dependent children (under 22, unmarried) of international students can still accompany the primary student to Canada regardless of the student's programme level. Children can attend Canadian schools (free public schooling in most provinces) and do not require a separate study permit for primary or secondary education. However, the additional financial burden must be reflected in your study permit application — IRCC expects proof of funds beyond the standard GIC requirement.

“EEC guided us through every change — the PAL requirement, the new GIC amount, the spouse work permit rules. My wife and I applied for a 16-month master's programme at the University of Windsor specifically because EEC told us it would qualify for both spousal OWP and a 3-year PGWP. We landed in Canada in September 2025 and both of us are now working. Their strategic planning saved our family financially.”

— Deepak & Nidhi R., MSc Management, University of Windsor — Spouse OWP approved through EEC guidance

The Canada student visa process in 2026 rewards preparation over assumptions. Every change — SDS discontinuation, PAL requirements, the study permit cap, and spouse work permit restrictions — makes professional guidance more valuable than ever for Indian students. The students who succeed are those who apply early, submit flawless documentation, choose their province and programme strategically, and understand the downstream implications of every decision (from PGWP eligibility to PR pathway optimization). With EEC's 27-year track record and 50,000+ Indian students placed, you are not just getting visa filing assistance — you are getting a complete immigration strategy from study permit to course selection to permanent residency. Book your free consultation today and let EEC handle the complexity so you can focus on your Canadian dream. Visit your nearest EEC centre to speak with a Canada visa specialist in person.

Frequently Asked Questions: Canada Student Visa