What is the Process to Apply in Canada from Nepal?
You are not the only one in case you are planning to apply in Canada out of Nepal. IRCC has granted study permits to over 27,000 Nepalese nationals between January 2023 and March 2025 and thousands more are applying annually to get work permits and permanent residency.
It is a guide that contains all the routes that will be followed in Canada as a Nepali citizen. You will learn exactly the documents, costs, and procedures needed to go ahead with the required study permits and work permits, to visit visas and PR, etc.
Overview: Ways to Apply in Canada from Nepal
In querying how to apply in Canada as a Nepalese citizen, four major types of visas can be applied in Canada by the citizens of Nepal. Both have different purposes and have their own requirements. Take your goals, qualifications, and the time you will be attaining it and then select a route.
If studying is your goal, start with our full Study in Canada from Nepal guide.
| Pathway | Purpose | Key Document |
| Study Permit | Study at a Canadian institution | Letter of Acceptance (LOA) |
| Work Permit | Work for a Canadian employer | Job offer or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) |
| Visitor Visa | Short-term tourism or family visit | Proof of ties to Nepal |
| Permanent Residency (PR) | Live and work permanently | Express Entry profile or PNP nomination |
How to Apply Canada student visa from Nepal
The most common application of the same by the Nepali students is the Nepali student visa to Canada (study permit). Nepali students who want to apply in Canada for a study permit must follow these steps.
- Choose an Intake and Institute
Find a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that meets your academic objectives and financial means. Compare programs and tuition by researching on our lists of the best colleges and best universities in Canada.
In Canada, there are three seasons of intake, Fall (September), Winter (January), and Spring (May). Fall intake boasts the most program choices, thus check intakes in Canada and file a long time before your favourite deadline.
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Get Your LOA, PAL and Language Score.
You have just sent your application to your institution, you are now provided with a Letter of Acceptance (LOA). Beginning January 2024 you will also be required to have a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in the province you will be studying.
Besides, in most of the institutions, you must have IELTS of 6.0 or other PTE to be granted the LOA.
In order to achieve your target band in a cost effective preparation, our IELTS preparation guide and PTE preparation course will offer you well-organised coaching in case you are still in the preparation phase.
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Gather Study Permit Documents
When you apply in Canada for a study permit, the IRCC requires:
- Valid MRP passport (at least 6 months validity beyond your intended stay)
- Letter of Acceptance from your DLI
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
- Proof of funds: minimum CAD 20,635 per year, plus tuition and travel costs
- IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL results
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Medical examination certificate
- Police clearance certificate from Nepal
- Non-English documents must include a certified translation with the translator’s full name, date, and signature.
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Submit Online and Enroll Biometrics
Make an online application using your IRCC secure account at ircc.canada.ca. Fill out the IMM 5257 form, submit your documents and pay a study permit fee of CAD 150.
Once the application has been submitted, make a biometrics appointment (CAD 85) at the VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu. The average processing time is 4 – 12 weeks, so make sure to process it way before your intake date.
How to apply for work permit in Canada form Nepal
Nepali nationals have the opportunity to apply to Canada either temporary or open work permit according to their case.
Temporary Work Permit (Closed Work Permit)
A closed work permit binds you to one employer. To ensure that there are no Canadian nationals or permanent immigrants who can be hired to work at the post, your employer in Canada has to apply to the positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The LMIA is then approved after which you use it in Canada to a closed work permit portal at the IRCC. Your passport, job offer letter, positive LMIA, evidence of qualification and biometrics enrolment are important documents.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Canada The Nepali students have the option of applying to the PGWP, and may work in any employer, on the condition that they graduate in a qualified Canadian institution, which is a public institution. Remarkably, the field of PGWP directly counts the work experience to Express Entry and PR.
However, new limitations on the usage of the private college graduates on the PGWP will take place starting September 2025. So, the selection of a university is important. Identify the friendliest Universities of Canada to international students.
How to Apply in Canada for Permanent Residency from Nepal
The long-term aspiration of many Nepali applicants is PR. The best known is Express Entry that has three programs, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
In order to be applicable in Canada via Express Entry:
- Verify the eligibility using the IRCC Come to Canada tool.
- Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) done by WES in case you have not studied in Canada.
- Achieve a CLB approved language test score of 7 or higher. IELTS preparation guide will assist you to achieve that standard in less time.
- Create your Express Entry profile and get a Comprehensive Ranking System score (CRS).
- After a draw you wait to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and within 60 days, submit your complete PR application.
In January 2023 to March 2025, 4,335 Nepalese nationals were accorded a permanent residency in Canada under the economic pathways. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was the most approved with 1,620. Provincial nomination is an addition of 600 CRS points that is virtually a sure ITA.
How to Apply in Canada for a Visitor Visa from Nepal
Canada immigration process between Nepal and Nepal citizens is known as a temporary Resident Visa (TRV) which permits Nepal citizens to visit Canada to visit, do business a bit or visit their family. To apply for a visitor visa in Canada, you can either apply in the IRCC portal or Visa Application Centre (VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre) in Kathmandu.
The necessary documents are a duly filled IMM 5257 form, valid MRP passport, 6 months bank statement, evidence of property or assets (Lalpurja), a letter of invitation by your host in Canada and clear evidence of close connection with Nepal like employment or owning property.
IRCC needs to be convinced that you have good financial and family ties, to be able to get a visitor visa.
Canada Visa Fees and Processing Times
| Visa Type | Application Fee | Biometrics Fee | Processing Time |
| Study Permit | CAD 150 | CAD 85 | 4 – 12 weeks |
| Work Permit (LMIA-based) | CAD 155 | CAD 85 | 5 – 27 weeks |
| Visitor Visa | CAD 100 | CAD 85 | 2 – 5 weeks |
| PR via Express Entry | CAD 1,365 | CAD 85 | ~6 months |
Make payments online via IRCC. When you submit your application to VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre, Kathmandu, there will be an extra service fee, which must be paid by Manager Cheque.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Would I be allowed to apply to PR in Canada without employment opportunities?
Yes. The Federal Skilled Worker Program of Express Entry does not require a work offer. Nevertheless, a good job offer will earn you a lot of CRS points and enhance your opportunities.
2. What IELTS score is needed to apply in Canada?
Most programs require a minimum CLB 7 especially when applying under Canada student visa program and PR programs.
3. Will I be able to work in Canada as a student?
Yes. DLI permit holders of full-time study permit may work a maximum of 24 hours/week off-campus during the academic session without an extra work permit.
4. What are the most suitable courses to Nepali students in Canada?
Some of the most sought after ones include Data Science, Business Administration, Nursing, Engineering, and IT. Explore the entire list of courses in Canada and identify those which fit your objectives.
5. Do I need IELTS to apply for a Canadian work permit?
Canada has no need for those who are applying to be granted a work permit to write the IELTS or any other English or French language exam.
6. How long does it take to apply in Canada from Nepal?
The time it takes to apply in Canada from Nepal depends on the visa type you are applying for. Typically from 4 weeks to up to 6 months.
