Canada Study Permit for Nepali Students 2026: Step‑by‑Step Guide to Updated Financial Requirements, SDS Changes & Processing Times

What’s new for Nepali applicants in 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced three updates that affect every Nepali student planning to study in Canada this year. The Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) amount for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) is set at CAD 10,000, the SDS now requires a valid provincial attestation letter (PAL) for all provinces except Quebec (which uses its own Certificat d’acceptation du Québec – CAQ), and the SDS eligibility checklist has been tightened to include a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.0 overall with each band ≥ 6.0. If you apply through the regular study‑permit stream, the PAL is still required (except Quebec) but there is no universal IRCC language minimum – you must meet the language standard set by your designated learning institution.

Document checklist tailored for Nepal

• Valid passport – at least six months beyond your intended stay.
• Letter of acceptance (LOA) from a designated learning institution (DLI).
• Provincial attestation letter (PAL) issued by the province where your DLI is located (Quebec applicants submit a CAQ instead).
• Proof of funds – bank statements for the last four months, GIC certificate (CAD 10,000), and any scholarship or sponsor letters.
• Language test results – IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic meeting the SDS or regular‑stream minimums.
• Medical exam receipt from an IRCC‑approved panel physician in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
• Police clearance certificate from Nepal Police (issued within the last six months).
• Recent passport‑size photographs meeting IRCC specifications.

Proof‑of‑funds template

IRCC expects a clear, single‑page summary. Below is a format that works for most officers:

Proof of Funds – [Applicant Full Name]
Passport No.: __________
Date of Birth: __________

1. GIC
Institution: __________
Certificate No.: __________
Amount: CAD 10,000
Date Issued: __________

2. Bank Statements (last 4 months)
Bank Name: __________
Account No.: __________
Currency: NPR (converted at IRCC rate)
Closing Balance (most recent): __________

3. Scholarship / Sponsor Letter
Sponsor Name: __________
Relationship: __________
Amount Committed (CAD): __________
Letter Date: __________

Total Available Funds (CAD): __________

All documents in Nepali must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Keep the original statements and translations together; officers may request the originals at the visa application centre.

Step‑by‑step application process

1. Create an IRCC secure account (GCKey or Sign‑In Partner) and start a new study‑permit application.
2. Complete the IMM 1294 form online – double‑check that the DLI number matches your LOA.
3. Upload every document from the checklist. The portal will flag missing items before you can submit.
4. Pay the CAD 150 processing fee plus the CAD 85 biometrics fee (if you have not given biometrics in the last ten years).
5. Book a biometrics appointment at VFS Global Kathmandu. Bring the appointment letter, passport, and the biometrics instruction page.
6. After submission, track the status through the IRCC portal. VFS Global also sends email updates when the passport is ready for collection.

Processing‑time snapshot

IRCC publishes weekly estimates on its processing‑times tool. As of early September 2026 the tool shows roughly 8‑10 weeks for SDS applications and 12‑14 weeks for the regular stream, but actual times can stretch longer during peak intake periods. Factors that commonly add weeks include incomplete financial evidence, a missing PAL (or CAQ for Quebec), or a medical exam that requires additional tests.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Insufficient funds – make sure the GIC plus liquid savings cover tuition for the first year plus CAD 10,000 for living expenses.
• Missing or expired PAL/CAQ – request the letter from the provincial ministry (or Quebec’s MIDI) as soon as you receive the LOA; most provinces issue it within two weeks.
• Outdated forms – always download the latest IMM 1294 from the IRCC website; older PDFs are rejected automatically.
• Language scores below the threshold – retake the test before you submit; a single band under 6.0 can move you from SDS to the regular stream.

Official resources to keep handy

Bookmark the IRCC study‑permit page, the Canadian Embassy in Nepal’s visa section, and the VFS Global Nepal site. All three publish alerts the moment a fee, form, or policy changes.

After approval – what to do next

You will receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction. Print a colour copy and keep it with your passport. At the Canadian border present the POE letter, your passport, LOA, and proof of funds. The officer will issue the actual study permit. Once in Canada, maintain full‑time enrolment, keep your address updated with IRCC, and renew the permit at least 30 days before expiry if you plan to continue studying.

Staying organized and using the latest official checklists will save you weeks of back‑and‑forth. Good luck with your application.