Canada is the most popular study destination for Pakistani students after the UK, and for good reason: tuition is lower than in the US, the study permit leads to a post-graduation work permit of up to three years, and there is a clear route from study to permanent residence. This guide explains how to study in Canada from Pakistan in 2027 — which universities to pick, what it costs, how the study permit works, and what happens after you graduate.
Why Canada works for Pakistani students
Canada has more than 100 universities, and its immigration system is designed to keep graduates. A Pakistani student who completes a degree in Canada can work for up to three years on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and that Canadian work experience is worth a large number of points in Express Entry. The country is also comparatively welcoming: there is a large Pakistani community, halal food is easy to find, and most cities have mosques and Pakistani student societies. The trade-off is the weather and the cost — average international undergraduate tuition was CAD 41,746 a year in 2025/26, and Ontario, the most popular province, averaged CAD 49,802.
Costs: tuition, living and proof of funds
| Cost | Figure (2026-27, confirm before applying) |
|---|---|
| Average international undergraduate tuition | CAD 41,746 a year (Statistics Canada, 2025/26) |
| Average international postgraduate tuition | CAD 24,028 a year (Statistics Canada, 2025/26) |
| Cheapest examples | Memorial University CAD 22,500 a year; University of New Brunswick Arts CAD 20,903; Université de Montréal about CAD 29,877 |
| Study permit fee | CAD 150 |
| Biometrics fee | CAD 85 |
| Proof of funds (single applicant) | CAD 23,448 a year, from 1 September 2026 (plus first-year tuition) |
| Work while studying | Up to 24 hours a week off campus during term |
Your proof of funds must cover the first year of tuition plus CAD 23,448 in living costs, and the money must have sat in your account for at least four months. A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 20,635 from a participating Canadian bank is an alternative way to show living costs, and it is accepted by IRCC as proof of funds.
Choosing a university and programme
Start with the programme, not the ranking. The strongest Canadian choices for Pakistani students are computer science and engineering (Waterloo, Toronto, UBC, McGill, Alberta), business (Toronto, UBC Sauder, McGill Desautels, Western Ivey), health sciences (McMaster, Toronto, Ottawa) and data science. But the best university is the one whose programme matches your grades and your budget: a degree at Memorial or the University of New Brunswick costs roughly half what the same degree costs at Toronto or UBC, and the PGWP is the same length either way. Check whether your programme is PGWP-eligible — most university degree programmes are, but some college programmes are not, and the field-of-study rules changed in November 2024.
How to apply to study in Canada from Pakistan
Most Canadian universities take applications directly on their own websites; Ontario universities also use the OUAC portal. The usual deadlines for September 2027 entry fall between 15 January and 1 March 2027, with some universities accepting applications until April. You will need your Matric and FSc transcripts, an English test (IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 is the usual minimum; TOEFL 89 is the common equivalent), a statement of purpose for some programmes, and reference letters for graduate study. Apply to at least four or five universities: Canadian admissions are competitive, and a single application is a gamble.
The study permit: what you need
The Student Direct Stream (SDS), which gave faster processing to Pakistani applicants, closed on 8 November 2024. Everyone now applies through the regular study-permit stream, and processing from Pakistan takes about six weeks. Your application needs an acceptance letter, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province — your university will tell you how to get it — proof of funds, a valid passport, and biometrics at a Visa Application Centre in Pakistan. You must also show that you will leave Canada when your permit ends, which is usually done through your statement of purpose and your ties to Pakistan. Apply as soon as you have your acceptance letter; do not wait until summer.
After you study in Canada from Pakistan: PGWP and permanent residence
A PGWP lasts up to three years, depending on the length of your programme, and you must apply within 180 days of completing your studies. The language requirement is CLB 7 for a university degree and CLB 5 for a college programme. After a year of skilled Canadian work experience, you can apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class, and a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your Express Entry score — enough, in practice, to guarantee an invitation. Study in Canada from Pakistan is therefore not just a degree: it is the first step of an immigration plan, and it should be planned that way from the start.
Timeline for September 2027 entry
- November–December 2026: shortlist universities, take IELTS/TOEFL, prepare documents.
- January–March 2027: submit university applications before their deadlines.
- March–May 2027: receive offers, accept one, pay the deposit, get your PAL.
- May–June 2027: apply for the study permit with proof of funds and biometrics.
- July–August 2027: receive the permit, book flights, arrange housing.
- September 2027: arrive in Canada and start classes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Canada from Pakistan? Budget CAD 41,746 a year on average for tuition, plus CAD 23,448 a year in living costs and CAD 150 for the study permit. Cheaper universities such as Memorial (CAD 22,500) and the University of New Brunswick (CAD 20,903 for Arts) cut the bill roughly in half.
Can I work while studying in Canada? Yes — up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, and full-time during scheduled breaks.
Is IELTS required for a Canadian study permit? There is no single IRCC English requirement for a study permit, but your university will require IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for admission, and a strong score helps the visa officer believe you are a genuine student.
Can I stay in Canada after my degree? Yes. A PGWP gives up to three years of open work, and a year of skilled work qualifies you for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class.
Related guides on Pakunii
Canada Study Permit Guide 2027 · Canada Undergraduate Admission 2027 · Canada Tuition Fees by Province 2027 · Canada PR Pathways for Graduates 2027
Sources and verification: IRCC (study permit CAD 150, biometrics CAD 85, proof of funds CAD 23,448 single from 1 September 2026, 24 hours/week work, PGWP up to 3 years, CLB 7 degree / CLB 5 college, SDS closed 8 November 2024, processing from Pakistan about 6 weeks). Statistics Canada 2025/26 average international tuition (UG CAD 41,746, PG CAD 24,028, Ontario CAD 49,802). Memorial CAD 22,500, UNB Arts CAD 20,903, UdeM CAD 29,877 — see the university profiles on this site. Programme-level PGWP eligibility and 2027 deadlines to be confirmed on each university's website.