Study in Canada from South Asia

Most applicants need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) from the province where they'll study. The key 2026 change: from 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions no longer need a PAL/TAL. If you're applying for a postgraduate degree at a public university, you skip that step — a genuine advantage for the Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi master's applicants who make up most of this corridor.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit is why most people pick Canada, and eligibility depends on more than just your institution. Here's the reassuring part for this corridor: bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates are exempt from the field-of-study rules altogether and can work in any field after graduating. IRCC also froze the list of PGWP-eligible fields of study for all of 2026 — around 1,100 fields, unchanged for the year — so there are no mid-year surprises. The field-of-study restriction mainly bites for non-degree graduates: if you're considering a college diploma or certificate rather than a degree, it must fall in a priority sector such as healthcare, STEM or the trades. Before accepting any non-degree offer, get written confirmation that the specific program leads to a PGWP — this is the most expensive mistake in the Canadian corridor.

One easing: from 1 April 2026 post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for a required placement — one less form and one less delay on co-op degrees.

You show tuition plus first-year living costs, on top of the permit fee and biometrics. The cost-of-living threshold has been raised repeatedly, so use IRCC's current figure rather than an older blog number, and hold the funds in a form an officer accepts. Model it in your own currency with the cost calculator.