Canada Study Visa for Nigerians in 2026: Requirements, Fees, Proof of Funds and Step-by-Step Application Guide

📌 Quick answer (checked 1 November 2026): Nigerians apply for a Canadian study permit online through IRCC. The government fees are CAD 150 for the study permit plus CAD 85 for biometrics. For any application made on or after 1 September 2026, you must show CAD 23,448 for one year of living costs (outside Quebec), plus your first-year tuition and travel. The old figure of CAD 22,895 no longer applies. Most applicants also need a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL), but master’s and PhD students at public institutions have been exempt since 1 January 2026. IRCC’s posted processing time for study permits from Nigeria was 10 weeks on 29 October 2026. Biometrics are taken at the two VFS Global Canada centres in Lagos and Abuja. The SDS and Nigeria Student Express fast tracks closed on 8 November 2024.

Canada’s rules have changed a lot since 2024: there is a national cap on study permits, proof of funds rose again in September 2026, and the fast-track streams are gone. This guide covers what IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) requires today, what it costs in Canadian dollars, how to work out the naira figure yourself, and how to apply step by step.

Canada study permit at a glance (November 2026)

What changed in 2026

1. Proof of funds went up on 1 September 2026

IRCC updates the living-cost figure from time to time. If you applied between 1 January 2025 and 31 August 2026, you needed CAD 22,895 for a single applicant. For applications on or after 1 September 2026, the figure is CAD 23,448. Many guides still quote the old number, so make sure you plan with the new one. IRCC also sets higher amounts if family members come with you:

Source: IRCC, “Proof of financial support”, page modified 28 August 2026. If you are going to Quebec, IRCC sends you to Quebec’s immigration ministry (MIFI) for the Quebec amount, so check MIFI’s current figure for the CAQ.

2. Master’s and PhD students no longer need a PAL (public institutions)

Since 1 January 2026, students on a master’s or doctoral degree programme at a public designated learning institution (DLI) do not need a PAL/TAL. Undergraduate, college diploma and most other post-secondary applicants still need one. If you are exempt, IRCC says you must still give proof of your exemption with your application.

3. The 2026 cap, and what we know about 2027

IRCC published the 2026 cap on 25 November 2025. It allows up to 408,000 study permits in 2026: 155,000 for new students and 253,000 extensions. That is 7% lower than 2025’s target of 437,000. Of the 309,670 application spaces, IRCC expects to issue 180,000 permits to PAL/TAL-required applicants, shared out among provinces by population. It set a separate 2026 target of 49,000 for PAL-exempt master’s and PhD students.

Two things follow from this:

• A PAL/TAL issued for 2026 is valid until 31 December 2026 (or an earlier expiry date printed on it). IRCC says you cannot apply with a letter issued in an earlier cap year. If you are holding a 2026 PAL and planning to apply in 2027, check with your school first.
• 2027 allocations had not been published on 1 November 2026. IRCC has said more reductions are needed to bring temporary residents below 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2027. Expect tight numbers for January and September 2027 intakes, and treat any “2027 cap figure” you see online as unconfirmed until IRCC posts it.

Documents IRCC asks for

IRCC’s document checklist for applicants outside Canada (page modified 6 October 2026) includes:

• Letter of acceptance from a DLI. It is always required, and IRCC says your school must validate it.
• PAL/TAL in most cases. Quebec students need a CAQ instead.
• Proof of funds for you and any family members coming with you (see below).
• Proof of identity: a copy of a valid passport and two recent passport-size photos.
• Letter of explanation (recommended): why you want to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as a student.
• Medical exam, if needed. You may need one if you will stay more than six months, have recently spent time in certain countries, or will work in certain jobs. Use only an IRCC-approved panel physician.
• Police certificate, if requested. IRCC may ask for one. If you think you will need it, apply early. NaijaSabi’s Police Clearance Certificate (POSSAP) guide explains the Nigerian process.

Your passport should be valid long enough to cover your studies, because IRCC may issue a shorter permit if your passport expires first. If you need to renew, see our Nigerian passport renewal guide.

English or French test results are normally set by your school for admission, so check your DLI’s own minimum scores.

What counts as proof of funds

IRCC accepts, among others:

• Your bank statements for the past 6 months, from a Canadian or foreign bank. They must include the month you apply or the month before, and show where any income came from.
• A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution. You can still use one in the regular stream.
• A receipt from your DLI showing first-year tuition (and housing) already paid.
• A student or education loan from a bank, or a scholarship or Government of Canada-funded programme.
• A letter from the person supporting you, giving their job, their relationship to you, their dependants and the amount, plus their ID or business registration.
• Recent pay stubs, pension documents or proof of rental income.

Practical point: the six-month statement rule exists so officers can see where money came from. A large deposit with no explanation just before you apply weakens your case. Keep the paperwork for every big inflow, such as a land sale agreement, business records or a loan offer letter.

How to work out your figure in naira (worked example)

The Central Bank of Nigeria publishes its official rate against the US dollar (NFEM rate). On 30 October 2026 it was ₦1,346.2565/US$. The CBN rates page does not publish a naira–Canadian dollar rate, so NaijaSabi does not give naira conversions for CAD amounts. Use the CAD rate your own bank or transfer provider quotes you on the day.

Illustrative arithmetic only. The tuition figure below is made up. Replace it with the amount on your letter of acceptance.

Third-party costs are paid directly to the provider, not through IRCC. These include the medical exam, any language test, the police certificate and VFS service fees. Get current quotes from each provider. NaijaSabi has not listed prices here because we could not confirm them from official sources.

Step-by-step: how to apply from Nigeria

1. Get admission at a DLI. Check that the school is on IRCC’s Designated Learning Institutions list. Accept your offer and make sure the school validates your letter of acceptance.
2. Get your PAL/TAL (unless exempt). The school or province arranges this. You do not apply to the province yourself. Make sure the letter is for the right cap year.
3. Gather your funds evidence. You need six months of statements, a GIC if you are using one, a tuition receipt, sponsor letters and loan or scholarship letters.
4. Do the medical exam if it applies to you, with an IRCC panel physician. Request a police certificate early if you expect to need one.
5. Apply online. Create or sign in to your IRCC secure account. Read Guide 5269 and the visa office instructions, then upload your documents. IRCC says online is mandatory except in limited cases, such as a disability that prevents it.
6. Pay the fees online: CAD 150 for the study permit and CAD 85 for biometrics. You need a valid credit or debit card that works for international payments.
7. Give biometrics at VFS Lagos or Abuja. Book on the VFS Global Canada (Nigeria) site as soon as your biometric instruction letter arrives. IRCC says you must do this within 30 days of the letter’s date. IRCC starts processing only after it receives your biometrics, so any delay here delays everything. If you gave Canadian biometrics in the last 10 years, you may not need to give them again.
8. Track and respond. Watch your IRCC account and answer any request for documents quickly.
9. Decision and travel. If you are approved, IRCC issues your documents. A Nigerian national’s visitor visa is issued automatically with the study permit approval, with no separate fee. Carry everything IRCC issued, plus your LOA and funds evidence, because the airline and the Canadian border officer will ask for them.

Timeline planner

The current posted time is 10 weeks (29 October 2026). It is not a guarantee, because IRCC updates these figures regularly. Build in time before you apply for admission, the PAL and documents, and time after approval for flights and housing. As a working rule, aim to submit at least four to five months before your programme starts. For a September 2027 start, that means filing by about April 2027. Check the live processing time on canada.ca the week you apply.

VFS Global Canada centres in Nigeria

Confirm the exact street address on your appointment letter or the VFS centre page before you travel to the centre. We could not verify the addresses on the official page when we checked, so we have not printed them. Bring your passport and biometric instruction letter.

Why applications from Nigeria get refused, and how to avoid it

• Funds that do not add up. This means a total below tuition + CAD 23,448 + travel, or money whose source isn’t shown in six months of statements.
• Using the old proof-of-funds figure. Anything filed from 1 September 2026 is judged against CAD 23,448, not CAD 22,895.
• No PAL/TAL, or the wrong year’s letter, when you are not exempt.
• A weak letter of explanation. It should explain why this programme, at this school, fits your background and plans.
• Late biometrics. Processing does not start until IRCC receives them.

Working while studying and after graduation

Eligible students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during academic sessions. During scheduled breaks such as summer, winter holidays or reading week, there is no limit on off-campus hours (IRCC, modified 15 April 2026). After graduation, a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can be valid for up to 3 years for programmes of two years or more, and for master’s programmes of at least eight months. Not every programme qualifies. Since 1 November 2024, most PGWP applicants must also submit language test results. Check your programme’s PGWP eligibility before you accept an offer.

Comparing options? See NaijaSabi’s UK Student Visa guide for Nigerians, our UK visa from Nigeria guide and the Canada visitor visa guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Canada study permit fee for Nigerians in 2026?

CAD 150 for the study permit plus CAD 85 for biometrics, a total of CAD 235, paid online to IRCC. Medical exams, police certificates, language tests and VFS services are paid separately to those providers.

How much proof of funds do I need for Canada now?

For applications made on or after 1 September 2026, one applicant studying outside Quebec needs CAD 23,448 for a year’s living costs, plus first-year tuition and travel. For Quebec, check MIFI’s figure.

Do I still need a PAL in 2026?

Most college and undergraduate applicants do. Master’s and PhD students at public DLIs have been exempt since 1 January 2026, but must show proof of the exemption. A 2026 PAL/TAL is valid until 31 December 2026.

How long does a Canada study permit take from Nigeria?

IRCC’s posted time was 10 weeks on 29 October 2026. Processing starts only after IRCC receives your biometrics, and the posted time changes regularly.

Is SDS or Nigeria Student Express still available?

No. Both ended at 2:00 p.m. ET on 8 November 2024. All new applications go through the regular stream, where a GIC is still accepted as proof of funds.

Where do I do biometrics for Canada in Nigeria?

At the VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in Lagos or Abuja (Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00). Book online within 30 days of your biometric instruction letter.

Can I work while studying in Canada?

Yes, if you are eligible. You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks.

Sources

1. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), “Proof of financial support” (study permit), modified 28 August 2026
2. IRCC, “Provincial or territorial attestation letter” and “2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap”, modified 2 September 2026 and published 25 November 2025
3. IRCC, “Fee list” and “Study permit: How to apply”, modified 21 September 2026 and 2 September 2026; processing-times data, updated 29 October 2026
4. IRCC, “End of the Student Direct Stream and Nigeria Student Express”, 8 November 2024
5. Central Bank of Nigeria, “Exchange Rates” (NFEM ₦/US$), 30 October 2026; VFS Global, “Canada Visa Application Centres – Nigeria”, checked 1 November 2026

This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Confirm every requirement on canada.ca before you apply.

Last updated: 1 November 2026 · NaijaSabi.