Why Canada is the Top Study Destination for Indian Students
Canada remains a major destination for Indian students, but the picture changed sharply: study permits issued to Indian nationals fell roughly 50% in 2025 to about 94,000, down from a 2023 peak near 278,000, as caps and tighter financial rules took effect. Around 94,000 Indian students held study permits in 2025. Plan for a competitive process rather than an easy one.
Key Advantages
- A permanent residency pathway exists, but 2026 targets are lower and CRS cut-offs higher than in previous years
- Affordable education compared to the US and UK
- World-class universities with strong industry connections
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years — requires a language test for all applicants, and an eligible field of study for non-degree graduates
Top Canadian Universities for Indian Students
| University | QS Ranking | Popular Programs | Tuition (CAD/year) |
|---|
| University of Toronto | #32 | CS, Engineering, Business | 48,000-70,000 |
| UBC | #45 | Business, Engineering, CS | 53,000-67,000 |
| McGill University | #30 | Medicine, Law, Engineering | 42,000-52,000 |
| University of Waterloo | #113 | CS, Engineering, Co-op | 60,000-75,000 |
| McMaster University | #174 | Health Sciences, Business | 50,000-57,000 |
Study Permit Process
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Letter of Acceptance | From a DLI (Designated Learning Institution) |
| Provincial Attestation Letter | PAL/TAL — mandatory since Jan 2024; Master's and PhD students at public DLIs exempt from Jan 2026 |
| Proof of Funds | CAD 22,895 living costs for a single applicant outside Quebec (Quebec: CAD 24,617 from Jan 2026), plus tuition and travel |
| First Year Tuition | Proof of payment or funds |
| English test | Set by your institution — IRCC does not impose one at study permit stage |
Processing Time
- Regular stream: roughly 5 weeks from India as of mid-2026
- Note: SDS was discontinued in November 2024 — every applicant now uses the regular stream
- Cap: 408,000 study permits for 2026, with limited PAL/TAL spaces
Cost of Studying in Canada
Tuition by Program
| Program | Annual Tuition (CAD) | Annual Tuition (INR) |
|---|
| Undergraduate | 35,000-50,000 | 24-34 lakhs |
| Masters | 22,000-50,000 | 15-34 lakhs |
| MBA | 40,000-80,000 | 27-54 lakhs |
Living Expenses
| City | Monthly Cost (CAD) |
|---|
| Toronto | 1,900-2,800 |
| Vancouver | 1,900-2,600 |
| Montreal | 2,050-2,500 (Quebec requires CAD 24,617/yr from Jan 2026) |
PR Pathway
Express Entry Timeline
- Complete a degree programme → PGWP of up to 3 years (non-degree graduates need an eligible field of study; a language test applies to everyone)
- Work in Canada — category-based Express Entry draws now ask for 12 months of Canadian experience
- Apply through Express Entry
- Reality check: PR admissions were cut to 365,000 for 2026 and CEC cut-offs have run around 475-511 CRS, so PR is competitive and not guaranteed
Last reviewed: August 2026
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