Canada remains one of the best places in the world to study, with globally ranked institutions, the right to work while you study, and a real pathway from the classroom to permanent residence. But the study permit process has changed a lot in the last two years — caps, attestation letters, higher funding requirements, and tighter post-graduation rules mean a weak application gets refused more easily than it used to.
That is where we come in. As a study permit consultant in Mississauga, NorthPass helps international students and their families get every step right — from choosing a Designated Learning Institution that protects your future work options, to preparing a financial package and study plan that stand up to IRCC scrutiny.
Studying in Canada offers international students many life-changing advantages:
eligible students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during the academic term (and full-time during scheduled breaks), building Canadian experience as you learn.
after graduating from an eligible program, you can apply for a work permit valid for up to three years.
many graduates go on to PR through the Canadian Experience Class or a Provincial Nominee Program.
Canadian degrees and diplomas are respected by employers worldwide.
Canada is consistently ranked among the best countries for international students to live and feel at home.
Getting into Canada is about more than filling in a form — it is about making the right choices early. Here is what we do:
we help you choose an institution and program that fit your goals and protect your PGWP eligibility.
acceptance letter, PAL/TAL, proof of funds, and a study plan that tells a convincing, honest story.
we make sure your application meets current requirements for your country and program.
we map out your work-permit and permanent-residence options from day one, not after you graduate.
if you have been refused before, we rebuild the file around the officer's concerns.
Finding the right college or university (DLI)
Gathering required documents (acceptance letter, proof of funds, etc.)
Ensuring compliance with IRCC requirements
Advising on post-study work and PR pathways
Whether you are a student visa consultant client in Mississauga or applying from overseas, you get licensed, honest guidance that looks at your whole journey — study, work, and beyond.
To study in Canada you generally need a study permit. Here is what that involves this year:
Note: Requirements vary by country of residence, and the rules change regularly. We help you understand exactly what applies to you before you apply.
The earlier you get the right advice, the stronger your application — and the better your long-term options. Book a consultation with a licensed study permit consultant in Mississauga and Oakville, and we will help you choose the right school, prepare a solid application, and plan your path from student to permanent resident.
A study permit is the document that allows you to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Most international students need one for any program longer than six months. It is not the same as a visa — many students also need a visitor visa or eTA to physically enter Canada, which is usually issued alongside the permit. As a study permit consultant in Mississauga, we confirm exactly what you need based on your nationality and program, so nothing is missed before you apply.
For 2026 you generally need: a letter of acceptance from a DLI, a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) if you are a college or undergraduate applicant, proof you can cover living costs (a single applicant outside Quebec must currently show CAD $22,895 plus first-year tuition and travel), and supporting documents like a study plan and, where required, a medical exam and police certificate. Master’s and PhD students at public DLIs are now exempt from the PAL requirement. Because IRCC updates these figures and rules regularly, we always confirm the current requirements for your situation during your consultation.
Most college and undergraduate applicants do. The PAL (or TAL in the territories) is a letter from the province confirming your spot counts toward its share of Canada’s national study permit cap. As of January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt, along with K-12 students and certain other groups. A PAL issued in 2026 is only valid through the end of that year — you cannot reuse one from a previous cap year. Because provincial allocations can fill up, applying early matters, and we help you get this step right.
As a single applicant studying outside Quebec, you must currently show CAD $22,895 in living-cost funds for one year, on top of your first-year tuition and your travel costs. You add a set amount for each accompanying family member, and Quebec sets its own separate figure. IRCC adjusts this threshold each year, so treat that number as a snapshot and confirm the live figure on canada.ca. Just as important as the amount is how you document it — funds should show a consistent history, not a single last-minute deposit. We advise on exactly how to present your proof of funds so it holds up.
Yes. As of 2026, eligible international students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic sessions — an increase from the old 20-hour limit — and full-time during scheduled breaks. There is no cap on on-campus work hours. The 24-hour limit applies across all your jobs combined, and exceeding it can put your status and future applications at risk, so it is worth tracking carefully. We make sure you understand the current work rules before you arrive.
A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets you work in Canada after you finish your studies — for up to three years, depending on your program. This is often the bridge to permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class or a PNP. The catch is that not every program or institution qualifies: your DLI must be PGWP-eligible, certain fields of study apply for college and non-degree programs, and most applicants now need to meet a language requirement. This is exactly why your choice of school and program should be made before you pay a deposit — we advise on PGWP eligibility from the very start.
Yes. As a student visa consultant serving Mississauga and Oakville, we work with students and families across the GTA, as well as applicants applying from overseas. Our office is in Mississauga, and we offer in-person, phone, and video consultations. From choosing the right DLI to preparing your financial documents and study plan, we support you at every stage — and we keep an eye on the bigger picture, including your post-graduation work and PR options.
Often, yes. Study permits are commonly refused for things like weak proof of funds, an unconvincing study plan, doubts about ties to your home country, or a missing or invalid PAL. A refusal is not automatically the end — but reapplying without fixing the original problem usually leads to another refusal. We review the refusal reasons carefully, rebuild the application with evidence that directly addresses the officer’s concerns, and advise honestly on whether to reapply or consider other options.
