How do you apply for a Canada study permit from Bangalore?
A Canada study permit application from Bangalore has six steps. Four of them happen online, and two happen in the city: your biometrics and, later, your passport. IRCC says every study permit applicant must apply online, whether they are inside or outside Canada.
- 1
Get your letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI), which is a school approved to host international students. Post-secondary schools must validate this letter with IRCC.
- 2
Get a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) if you need one. Quebec uses its own Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead.
- 3
Book your medical exam with an IRCC panel physician. You can do it before you apply and upload the confirmation, which saves time later.
- 4
Apply online through your IRCC secure account. Upload your documents and pay CAD 150 for the permit plus CAD 85 for biometrics.
- 5
Give your biometrics at VFS Global's Bengaluru centre. Book an appointment as soon as your biometric instruction letter arrives, because you have 30 days from the date on it.
- 6
Send your passport only when IRCC asks. After approval, IRCC gives you a port of entry letter of introduction to show the border officer when you land.
How much does a Canada study permit cost?
The Canada study permit costs CAD 235 in government fees: CAD 150 for the permit and CAD 85 for biometrics, both paid online to IRCC, according to IRCC's fee list. The proof of funds is separate. You do not pay it to anyone, but you must show you have it.
| Cost | Amount (as of October 2026) | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Study permit | CAD 150 | IRCC, online |
| Biometrics | CAD 85 per person; CAD 170 maximum for a family applying together | IRCC, online |
| Medical exam | Set by the clinic | The panel physician |
| Optional VFS services | Check VFS Global's Canada page for India | VFS Global |
| Living costs you must show | CAD 23,448 for one student outside Quebec | Not paid; shown as funds |
IRCC's living-cost figure of CAD 23,448 applies to applications made on or after 1 September 2026, for one student living outside Quebec. It does not cover tuition or travel, so you show your first year's tuition on top of it. IRCC's proof of funds page lists the higher amounts for family members.
Do you need a PAL for a Canada study permit in 2026?
Most Canada study permit applicants still need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) in 2026. A PAL is a letter from the province or territory where you will study, and IRCC says it is usually required to apply. Ask your college or university how its province issues them.
- Master's and PhD students at public schools: Since 1 January 2026, you do not need a PAL for a degree-granting master's or doctoral programme at a public DLI. You still need your letter of acceptance, and Quebec's own rules still apply.
- Quebec: You need a CAQ from Quebec instead of a PAL.
- Other exemptions: These include school students up to Grade 12 and exchange students who pay no tuition to the Canadian school.
- Proof of exemption: If you do not send a PAL, you must show that you meet an exemption.
Where do you give Canada biometrics in Bangalore?
Canada biometrics for Bangalore students are given at VFS Global's Bengaluru visa application centre (VAC). Bangalore appears on IRCC's list of visa application centres, so you do not need to travel to another city.
- Appointment first: IRCC says you need to book an appointment to give biometrics. Book through VFS Global's Canada page for India.
- What to bring: Carry your biometric instruction letter and the passport you used in your application.
- Who decides: VACs are private companies under contract with the Government of Canada. They play no role in decisions; IRCC officers decide every application.
- Address and hours: VFS Global lists its Canada centre at Sobha Pearl, 8th Floor, Commissariat Road, near Mayo Hall, Ashok Nagar, Bangalore 560025. It is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00, and biometrics are by appointment only. Check the page again before you go, as centres sometimes move. Our VFS Global Bangalore guide covers what happens on the day.
Do Indian students need a medical exam for Canada?
Indian students who will study in Canada for more than six months need an immigration medical exam. India is on IRCC's country list of places where the exam is required, and the exam must be done by a doctor on IRCC's panel physician list.
Medical results are valid for 12 months. If you do the exam before you apply, upload the confirmation with your application. Our guide to visa medical tests in Bangalore explains how to book with a panel physician. IRCC may also ask for a police certificate, which our police clearance guide covers.
What documents do you need for a Canada study permit?
The Canada study permit document list has four items every applicant needs and a few that depend on your situation. IRCC's document page sets out the full list.
| Document | Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Letter of acceptance | Always | From your DLI; post-secondary schools validate it with IRCC |
| PAL/TAL or CAQ | Most applicants | CAQ if you study in Quebec |
| Passport and two photos | Always | Copy of a valid passport plus two recent passport-size photos |
| Proof of funds | Always | Tuition plus CAD 23,448 living costs for one student outside Quebec |
| Letter of explanation | Recommended | Why you chose Canada and that you understand your duties as a student |
| Medical exam | Yes for India, if staying over 6 months | With an IRCC panel physician |
| Police certificate | If asked | Apply early if you think you need one |
Applying from Bangalore: what students in Karnataka should know
Students in Bangalore can finish every in-person step of a Canada study permit within the city. Use these points to plan the local part well.
- Keep 30 days free: Your biometrics window starts on the date of your letter, not the day you read it. Avoid booking travel or exams in the weeks after you apply.
- Passport first: Your Canadian documents are linked to the passport you apply with. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it at a Bangalore Passport Seva Kendra before you apply. Our Passport Seva Kendra guide explains how.
- Passport requests: IRCC says you can only hand your passport to a VAC after you receive its request letter or email. Some VACs also accept passports by courier, so check the options on VFS's page.
- Funds from Karnataka banks: Make sure your bank statements or education loan letters show enough to cover tuition plus CAD 23,448 once converted.
- Talk to us in Hebbal: Falcon Nova's office is on the 7th floor of Kirloskar Business Park, beside the Hebbal flyover. You can book free counselling there or online; see our Hebbal office page.
Not sure if you need a PAL, or whether your funds are enough? Book a free counselling session and we'll go through your documents against IRCC's checklist with you.
What should you do next?
Your next step for a Canada study permit is to secure your letter of acceptance, then check whether you need a PAL. Book your medical early, gather your funds evidence, and keep your passport valid. Then you can apply the week your documents are ready. You can also read about studying in Canada as you compare schools.
Apply for Your Canada Study Permit with a Clear Plan
Canada's study permit rewards students who apply with complete documents: the right PAL, funds that match IRCC's figures, and a medical done on time. Falcon Nova Consultants has helped hundreds of Indian students prepare their study abroad applications. Book your free counselling session in Hebbal or online, and we'll check your study permit documents with you before you submit.
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