Documents you'll need
Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
Issued by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Confirm the DLI number appears on the letter — IRCC requires it. For Quebec, you'll also need a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ).
Proof of Funds
Show tuition for year one plus living costs (currently CAD $20,635/yr outside Quebec for a single applicant) plus return travel. Acceptable: GIC, bank statements (6 months), education loan letter, sponsor affidavit + sponsor's bank statements.
Study Plan / Statement of Purpose
A short, honest letter explaining program choice, school choice, how it fits your background, who is funding, and your ties to your home country. Specific reasoning beats generic statements.
Academic & Identity Documents
International passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay), academic transcripts and certificates, English test (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL/CELPIP) where required, and any past visa refusals disclosed truthfully.
Medical & Biometrics
Upfront medical exam with an IRCC-panel physician (recommended for most African applicants). Biometrics ($85 CAD) at a Visa Application Centre after IRCC sends your BIL letter.
The 7-step process
- 1
Confirm DLI admission
Receive your Letter of Acceptance from a DLI. Verify the program is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if that matters to you — rules tightened in 2024.
- 2
Organise proof of funds
Open a GIC with a participating Canadian bank (Scotiabank, RBC, ICICI, CIBC, others) or assemble 6 months of bank statements plus sponsor documentation. Funds should be settled, not freshly deposited.
- 3
Get a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL)
Since January 2024, most undergraduate and college applicants need a PAL from the province (or TAL from Quebec) before IRCC accepts the study permit application. Your DLI usually issues this.
- 4
Draft a focused study plan
Address: why this program, why this school, why Canada, how it builds on prior studies/work, total cost and who pays, what you'll do after graduation in your home country.
- 5
Submit the online application
Apply through the IRCC Secure Account. Upload LOA, PAL/CAQ, passport bio page, proof of funds, study plan, photos, transcripts, and medical receipt. Pay $150 CAD study permit fee.
- 6
Biometrics & processing
Book biometrics within 30 days of the request letter. Processing times for Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and most African visa offices currently range 8–14 weeks — apply 4–5 months before your program start date.
- 7
Port-of-entry arrival
Carry your Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction, passport with eTA/visa, LOA, proof of funds, and accommodation details. The CBSA officer issues the actual study permit on arrival.
How to write a study plan that lands
The strongest study plans answer five questions in plain language:
- Why this exact program — connect it to your academic record or work history.
- Why this school over similar ones in Canada or your home country.
- Total cost (tuition + living + travel) and exactly who is paying.
- What you'll do with the qualification in your home country after graduation.
- Any gaps, refusals, or career changes — addressed openly, not avoided.
Common pitfalls that cause refusals
- Funds deposited days before applying — officers flag unsourced large transfers.
- Generic study plans copy-pasted from templates with no link to your background.
- Choosing a program unrelated to your prior studies without explaining the pivot.
- Missing PAL/CAQ for program levels that now require it.
- Hiding a previous visa refusal (UK, US, Schengen) — disclose and explain.
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What we do — and what we don't
CollegevarsityHub focuses on education consulting, school and program selection, admission application support, document coaching, and pre-arrival guidance. We do not provide immigration or legal advice, and we do not represent clients before immigration authorities. Visa and immigration matters should be handled by authorized professionals where required.
We do not guarantee admission, scholarships, study permits, or visa outcomes — those decisions rest with schools and immigration authorities.