Canada Study Permit from Nigeria: 2026 Requirements, PAL and Proof of Funds in Naira

Last checked against official sources: 5 October 2026

Canada is still one of the most searched study destinations in Nigeria, but it is not the Canada of 2022. The government capped study permits in 2024, ended the faster Nigeria Student Express in November 2024, tightened work permit rules for graduates and spouses, and raised the money you must show. This guide puts the current official rules in one place, converts the key amounts to naira, and explains which programmes still give you the best chance of staying to work after graduation.

This is general information, not advice on your personal case. Always confirm every detail on the official IRCC pages linked below before you pay any school or agent.

Canada study permit at a glance (2026)

Question	Official answer
How many study permits in 2026?	IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000, including 155,000 to newly arriving students. That is 7% lower than the 2025 target.
Do I need a PAL/TAL?	Usually yes. Master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from 1 January 2026, along with a few other groups.
Living-cost proof (1 person)	CAN$23,448 for applications on or after 1 September 2026 (CAN$22,895 before that). Tuition and travel are extra.
Fees	Study permit CAN$150 + biometrics CAN$85.
Medical exam	Usually needed for Nigerians staying more than 6 months.
Work while studying	Up to 24 hours a week off campus during term; unlimited during scheduled breaks, if eligible.
Faster stream for Nigerians?	No. The Nigeria Student Express ended on 8 November 2024. Everyone uses the regular process.

Step 1: Choose the right programme and school

Your school must be a designated learning institution (DLI), which means a provincial or territorial government has approved it to host international students. Use IRCC’s official DLI list from the study permit pages before you pay any deposit.

Think about what happens after you graduate before you choose. The programme you pick decides three big things:

• Whether you can get a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates have no field-of-study requirement. Most college (non-degree) graduates must study a field linked to an occupation in long-term shortage. See IRCC PGWP eligibility.
• Whether you need a PAL/TAL. Master’s and doctoral programmes at public DLIs are exempt in 2026.
• Whether your spouse can work. Only some programmes allow it (see Step 7).

Step 2: Get your letter of acceptance and PAL/TAL

Once a DLI accepts you, it gives you a letter of acceptance. If you need a PAL/TAL, the school arranges it with the province. It confirms you have one of the province’s limited study spaces.

• You must submit the PAL/TAL with your study permit application, not after.
• It is linked to that school and is usually only valid for the year it was issued (until 31 December 2026 for this cap year).
• If your application is refused and you reapply, check whether you need a new PAL/TAL.

Who doesn’t need a PAL/TAL in 2026 (per IRCC and the PAL/TAL page): master’s and doctoral degree students at public DLIs, primary and secondary school students, and a few special programmes. Everyone else, including most undergraduate and college students, needs one.

Step 3: Prove you can pay (the part most Nigerians get refused on)

IRCC says you must prove you have enough money, without working in Canada, for your tuition, your living expenses and your transport to and from Canada. You show the first year in full, and explain how you will pay for the rest of your programme.

Who is coming	Living costs required (per year)	About in naira
Student alone	CAN$23,448	₦22.2 million
Student + 1 family member	CAN$29,192	₦27.6 million
Student + 2 family members	CAN$35,888	₦34.0 million

Worked example: if your first-year tuition is CAN$20,000, a single student needs to show about CAN$20,000 + CAN$23,448 = CAN$43,448 (about ₦41.1 million), plus the cost of your flight. Use the real tuition on your letter of acceptance, not this example.

Documents IRCC lists as examples include:

• Proof you’ve paid first-year tuition (and housing, if paid), such as a receipt from your DLI.
• A guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution, or proof of a Canadian bank account in your name.
• Bank statements for the past 6 months, showing where the money came from (salary, business income, savings transfers).
• A student or education loan from a bank, or a scholarship letter.
• If a parent or sponsor is paying: a letter stating their job, relationship to you, number of dependants and amount of support, with their ID or business registration.

Step 4: Get your medical exam and police certificate ready

IRCC says you need an immigration medical exam if you plan to stay more than 6 months and have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more in the past year. Nigeria is on that list, so most Nigerian students need one. It must be done by an IRCC-approved panel physician, not your own doctor. See IRCC: medical exams for students.

You may also be asked for a police certificate. In Nigeria this is usually the Police Character Certificate. Follow the instructions in your application checklist.

Step 5: Apply online and give biometrics

1. Create your IRCC account and apply online. See IRCC: how to apply for a study permit.
2. Upload your letter of acceptance, PAL/TAL (if needed), proof of funds, passport, and any documents in your personalised checklist.
3. Pay CAN$150 (study permit) and CAN$85 (biometrics), about ₦222,000 together.
4. Give your fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre when you get your biometrics instruction letter.
5. Do your medical exam if asked, then wait for a decision. Check the official processing-times tool on IRCC for the current wait from Nigeria.

You don’t need an agent. Only IRCC decides, so nobody can honestly guarantee a study permit.

Step 6: Working while you study

• During term: up to 24 hours a week off campus if you meet the conditions (IRCC).
• During scheduled breaks (summer, winter, reading week): unlimited hours.
• Don’t plan to pay your tuition from part-time work. IRCC assesses your funds as if you won’t work at all.

Step 7: Can your spouse come and work?

Since 21 January 2025, your spouse or common-law partner can usually get an open work permit only if you are studying one of these, per IRCC:

• A master’s degree of 16 months or longer.
• A doctoral degree.
• Certain professional degrees at a university: medicine, dentistry, law, pharmacy, nursing, education, engineering, optometry or veterinary medicine.
• An eligible programme listed by IRCC.

If you’re a couple planning to japa together, this rule should shape which programme you choose.

Step 8: After graduation – the PGWP

The post-graduation work permit lets you work in Canada after your studies and gain the Canadian experience that helps with permanent residence. Key 2026 rules, per IRCC:

• University degree graduates: English or French at CLB 7 in all four skills. No field-of-study requirement for bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees.
• College and other non-university graduates: CLB 5, and most must have studied a field linked to a long-term shortage occupation.
• Many private college programmes delivered for public colleges are not eligible (see Step 1).

Is studying in Canada right for you?

• Good fit: you can genuinely show tuition plus about ₦22 million for living costs from a clear, long-term source, and you’re choosing a degree (ideally a master’s at a public university) that leads to a PGWP.
• Think again: if the money depends on loans you can’t repay, or your only offer is a short diploma at a private college with no clear PGWP path.
• Compare: if you already have work experience, read our UK Skilled Worker visa guide and Germany Opportunity Card guide. Working abroad can cost far less than studying. Considering the USA instead? Read our US visa restrictions guide for Nigerians first.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need for a Canada study permit from Nigeria in 2026?

Your first-year tuition, plus CAN$23,448 for living costs (for applications on or after 1 September 2026), plus travel. For a single student that’s about ₦22.2 million on top of tuition.

Do I need a PAL to study in Canada in 2026?

Most students do. Master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs, and primary and secondary students, are exempt from 1 January 2026.

Is the Nigeria Student Express still available?

No. IRCC ended the Nigeria Student Express and the Student Direct Stream on 8 November 2024.

Is a GIC compulsory for Nigerian students?

No. A GIC is one of several ways to show proof of funds, along with tuition receipts, bank statements, loans and scholarships.

How many hours can international students work in Canada?

Up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, if you meet the conditions.

Can my husband or wife work in Canada while I study?

Only if you’re in a master’s of 16 months or more, a PhD, certain professional degrees, or an eligible programme listed by IRCC.

Your next step

Shortlist programmes that lead to a PGWP, check that each school is a DLI, and calculate your real total (tuition + CAN$23,448 + flight) in naira. Then read the IRCC study permit pages again on the day you apply.

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AbroadPath Africa is an independent information website, not a visa agency, education agent or immigration consultant, and is not connected to the Government of Canada. Only IRCC decides study permit applications. See our Disclaimer.