Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Canada Student Visa
The Canada student visa requirements start with obtaining a Study Permit issued by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). A study permit is not a visa which once approved, you will also receive either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) based on your passport and eligibility.
Eligibility Requirements
Before preparing your documents, make sure you meet the basic Canada student visa requirements. Failing to meet even one condition can result in a refused application.
|
Requirement |
Details |
|
Acceptance Letter |
From a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) only |
|
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) |
Required from your intended province of study |
|
Valid Passport |
Must cover full duration of study program |
|
Clean Criminal Record |
Police clearance certificate from Nepal Police |
|
Good Health |
Medical exam by IRCC-approved physician required |
|
Financial Proof |
Minimum CAD 22,895 living costs + full tuition |
|
Intent to Return |
Must demonstrate strong ties to Nepal post-study |
Academic Requirements
Academic eligibility is a key part of the Canada student visa requirements. Canadian institutions set their own thresholds, but these are the general minimum benchmarks for Nepali students.
|
Program Level |
Minimum Academic Requirement |
|
Diploma |
50 -60% in SEE or equivalent |
|
Bachelor’s |
60 -65% in +2 or equivalent |
|
Master’s |
Bachelor’s degree with min. 60% or 2.8 GPA |
|
PhD |
Master’s degree with strong research background |
English Proficiency Requirements
All Nepali students must submit a valid English language test score unless their previous education was in English. Scores must be recent as most institutions accept results within the last 2 years.
|
Test |
Minimum Score |
|
IELTS Academic |
6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) |
|
PTE Academic |
58+ |
|
TOEFL iBT |
80+ |
|
Duolingo English Test |
105+ |
Minimum scores vary by institution and program level. Some programs require higher scores.
Required Documents Checklist
Incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons for study permit delays and refusals. Ensure every document below is ready before submitting your application.
Documents
- Letter of Acceptance (DLI)
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
- Valid Passport
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Academic Transcripts & Certificates
- English Proficiency Score
- Proof of Financial Support
- Medical Exam Report
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Tuition Fee Deposit Receipt
- Digital Photograph
- Study Permit & Biometric Fee Payment
- Proof of Financial Support
- Medical Exam Report
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Tuition Fee Deposit Receipt
- Digital Photograph
- Study Permit & Biometric Fee Payment
Visa Fees
The Canada student visa involves three separate fees. Pay these at the time of application and biometric fees are paid separately after your application is submitted.
|
Fee Type |
CAD |
NPR |
|
Study Permit |
150 |
15,000 |
|
Biometrics |
85 |
8,500 |
|
Medical Exam |
100 -150 |
10,000 -15,000 |
|
Total |
335 -385 |
33,500 -38,500 |
Processing Time
Canada study permit applications from Nepal typically take 8 -12 weeks to process. Processing times can vary during peak intake seasons, that is January and September intakes tend to be the busiest. Apply at least 3 -4 months before your intended start date to stay on schedule.
