Study in Canada — Undergraduate

You apply directly to Canadian universities (Ontario uses a central portal). Undergraduates also need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) for the study permit, because Canada caps international student numbers.

Canada offers good universities, a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years, and a large Indian community.

• ✓PGWP: up to 3 years after a programme of 2 years or longer; a master's gets 3 years even if shorter than 2 years.
• ✓Lester B. Pearson Scholarship (University of Toronto): full tuition, books, fees and residence for 4 years. About 37 scholars a year; your school must nominate you.
• ✓UBC International Scholars Program (need plus merit), and automatic merit awards at UBC.

• •Class 12 results and English scores as each university sets.
• •A PAL/TAL from the province for undergraduate study permits (master's and PhD at public institutions don't need one from 1 January 2026).
• •Proof of living-cost funds: CAD 23,448 for applications from 1 September 2026, plus tuition and travel.
• •For the PGWP: language test results are required (since 1 November 2024).

• •Majors across sciences, engineering, business and arts; many universities offer paid co-op internships.

1. 1Apply to universities (deadlines are usually January to March for September entry).
2. 2After admission, the university helps you get the PAL/TAL (valid only until 31 December of its year).
3. 3Apply for the study permit (fee CAD 150) with your funds proof.

Always confirm dates, eligibility and fees on the official site — rules change each year.

• →Pick universities, not just a city, and check co-op options.
• →Only use a university's own portal or a verified channel (University of Toronto says it doesn't work with agents).

• !Tuition is high: average international undergraduate tuition was CAD 41,746 in 2025/26 (Ontario CAD 49,802), Statistics Canada.
• !The 2026 cap is 408,000 study permits in total, and caps keep tightening.
• !Fraud: in 2023 Canada investigated over 2,000 fake admission-letter cases, 89% involving Indian nationals. Verify every letter with the university.

• •Canadian degrees and co-op experience are valued by global employers in India.

• •PGWP work in Canada; permanent residence is possible but competitive.