Studying in Canada from India: what Indian applicants should know

India supplies the largest share of study permit holders in Canada, and Indian applicants file through a New Delhi checklist with its own document list and timing advice. The fast-track Student Direct Stream that many Indian students used has ended. This guide covers what is different for an Indian passport, with sources.

A year costs from: ~US$26,000 all-in
Next intakes you can make: May 2027, September 2027
Published visa figure, Indian applicants: About 41% of Indian applicants were approved (Jan–Apr 2026). Source
Work after graduating: Post-graduation work permit of up to 3 years, depending on programme length and field

What is different from India

The Student Direct Stream ended on 8 November 2024

IRCC ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express as of 2:00 p.m. ET on 8 November 2024. Eligible applications received before that time were processed under the old streams; later ones go through the regular study permit stream, which accepts a Guaranteed Investment Certificate as one type of proof of funds. Older advice that relies on SDS timelines or rules no longer applies. Source

India has its own New Delhi document checklist (IMM 5818)

IRCC publishes a New Delhi Visa Office checklist for study permit applicants in India (version 02-2026). It asks for income tax returns for you and your parents for the past two years, a reference letter from whoever funds your studies, and mark sheets for the entire programme; consolidated mark sheets are not acceptable. It also says to disclose any agent or representative who helped you on the study permit questionnaire. Source

Apply at least three months before travel, with listed cut-off dates

The same New Delhi checklist strongly recommends applying at least three months before travel and says applications received after 1 April for May entry, 1 August for September entry or 1 December for January entry are unlikely to be processed in time and may be refused. Source

Living-cost funds for applications from 1 September 2026

IRCC states that a single applicant studying outside Quebec needs CAD 23,448 for living costs for applications on or after 1 September 2026, in addition to tuition and travel. Examples of accepted evidence include bank statements for the past 6 months covering the month of application or the one before, a bank education loan, and a Canadian GIC. Check the IRCC page for the current amount. Source

Approval rates for Indian applicants have been low

ApplyBoard, using IRCC refusal data, reports that Indian study permit applicants had an approval rate of about 41 percent in January to April 2026, up from about 30 percent in 2025, and that in over 90 percent of refusals for Indian applicants the officer was not satisfied the applicant would leave Canada after studies. This is ApplyBoard's analysis, not an IRCC statistic; it is not a prediction for any individual. Source

Indian students are the largest group, but numbers have fallen

CBIE's tally of all study permit holders at the end of 2025 shows India at 31 percent, ahead of China at 12 percent. CBIE also reports that the total number of international students in Canada fell by 33 percent between 2023 and 2025. Source

Most undergraduate and college applicants need a provincial attestation letter first

IRCC says that in most cases you must accept your offer and pay tuition, in part or in full, to get a provincial or territorial attestation letter (Quebec uses a CAQ instead). Build this step into your timeline before you can submit the study permit application. Source

Your steps, in order

Confirm your offer is from a designated learning institution and ask the school how its attestation letter works.
Open IRCC's India application package page and download the New Delhi checklist (IMM 5818) and the general checklist.
Collect your mark sheets for the whole programme (not consolidated ones) and income tax returns for you and your parents for two years.
Prepare the funding reference letter and 6 months of bank statements showing the source of funds; add a GIC or education loan if you use one.
Compare the New Delhi dates (1 April, 1 August, 1 December) with your intake and apply at least three months ahead.
Write the study plan so it explains why this programme and why it fits your plans, since intent is the main stated refusal reason.
Submit online and give biometrics when IRCC asks; check IRCC's processing-times tool for current waits.

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Questions Indian students ask

Can I still use the Student Direct Stream from India?

No. IRCC ended it on 8 November 2024. All Indian applicants now use the regular study permit stream.

Do my parents' tax returns matter?

The New Delhi checklist asks for income tax returns for you and your parents for the past two years, so prepare them.

How long will my study permit take?

IRCC publishes current processing times by country on its tool, and they change. Do not rely on older blog figures.

Does a GIC guarantee approval?

No. A GIC is one accepted type of evidence, and the officer assesses the whole application.

Facts checked 18 October 2026. Rules change often — the official source linked beside each fact always wins over this page. We never promise admission or a visa.