Understanding your Iranian credential
There is no automatic conversion that guarantees admission to every Canadian university. The name and length of the credential, your grades and the program’s prerequisites all matter. The following examples are institution-specific reference points, not a ranking or a national equivalency framework.
| Your background | What the institution says | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Iranian secondary school diploma | The University of Alberta distinguishes between graduates from 2019 onward, for whom it lists the national Grade 12 diploma and transcript, and those who graduated before 2019, for whom it lists the pre-university certificate and transcript. | Also check the prerequisite subjects for your chosen program. |
| Undergraduate study plan at Université Laval | For Iran, Université Laval indicates 12 years of pre-university schooling and 1 year of post-secondary study. | A 30-credit preparatory program over 2 terms may be considered under certain conditions for non-quota programs. |
| Master’s study plan at UBC Vancouver | The Iran profile lists a Karshenasi of at least 4 years and an overall average of 16/20. | These are UBC’s general requirements; the program may add requirements. |
| Doctoral study plan at UBC Vancouver | The profile lists a Karshenasi Arshad and an overall average of 16/20. | Meeting the threshold does not guarantee admission. |
To compare your options, note the original name of each credential, the year it was awarded, the length of study and your grades. If your background does not clearly fit a category, ask the institution how it will assess it rather than calculating a general equivalency yourself.
Choose your language proof before booking a test
Proof of English or French depends on the institution, level of study and sometimes the program. Before paying for a test, check the accepted test and version, the required score, the validity of results and any possible exemptions.
For undergraduate studies at UBC Vancouver, IELTS Academic is one possible option: the university specifies an overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component. This threshold does not apply to all Canadian universities.
For graduate studies, UBC has a temporary measure of particular relevance to applicants from Iran: people currently in Iran who cannot access other accepted English tests may use the Oxford ELLT. Check whether this measure is still in effect for your application. It is not a general IRCC or other-university rule.
At Université Laval, applicants whose previous studies were not in French may be asked to take the TCF, if applicable after submitting an admission application. Some DELF or TEF results may be accepted under certain conditions: results mentioned by Laval must, in particular, be less than 2 years old and include a written expression component.
Documents and translations: prepare two checklists
The university assesses your academic background; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, assesses your study permit application. To avoid delays, prepare a checklist for each recipient: the required documents, translations and accepted submission methods may not be the same.
For a study permit, the federal guide requires documents written in another language to be translated into English or French. An affidavit, or sworn statement from the translator, may be required depending on the translator’s qualifications. Applicants and their family members cannot translate documents themselves for submission to IRCC.
The IRCC “Iran” selection refers to the Ankara visa office’s additional checklist, IMM 5816. Its section for people residing in Iran requests, among other things, a copy of the Shenasname and an official translation. It also provides for military documents for the Iranian men over 18 to whom the requirement applies.
For Iranian nationals or people residing in Iran who plan to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree, this section lists, among other things, a detailed CV, the field and study plan, research supervisors’ contact information, publications and funding sources. The first page also mentions IELTS, TOEFL, DELF or TEF results that are less than 2 years old.
Read the full checklist together with the general guide and check the instructions that apply to your application. An immigration requirement does not replace a university requirement, or vice versa.
Admission, attestation and permit: separate decisions
A study permit application generally includes a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, proof of identity and proof of financial resources. Additional documents may be requested. Acceptance by an institution is not a study permit and does not guarantee that one will be issued.
A provincial or territorial attestation letter, or PAL/TAL, is required in many cases. Since January 1, 2026, an exemption applies in particular to programs leading to a master’s or doctoral degree at a designated public institution. It does not automatically extend to all graduate certificates.
In Quebec, when a Quebec Acceptance Certificate, or CAQ, is required, its attestation of issuance serves as the PAL in the applicable cases. Check its validity and the wording requested by IRCC. A federal PAL/TAL exemption does not automatically remove the Quebec process: most people who are exempt and wish to study in Quebec must still obtain a CAQ, subject to applicable exceptions.
Proof of funds: distinguish the threshold from your full budget
To prepare your finances, separate tuition, living expenses and transportation. IRCC requires you to demonstrate the necessary resources without relying on work in Canada. For a program lasting more than 1 year, you must show resources for the first year and explain how you will finance the rest.
The figures below apply to one person. They vary, in particular, depending on the application date and the number of people concerned.
| Destination and application date | Annual amount | Expenses to account for separately |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Quebec, from September 1, 2026 | 23,448 CAD for living expenses | Tuition and transportation are additional |
| Quebec, from January 1, 2026 | 24,617 CAD for basic needs | Tuition and round-trip transportation from the country of origin are additional |
The two categories do not cover exactly the same items: in Quebec, basic needs include, among other things, initial settlement, everyday transportation and health and hospitalization insurance. These figures are therefore neither a ranking of the cost of living nor a personalized budget.
Among the possible forms of proof, IRCC cites bank statements and documents about the source of income. If foreign-exchange controls apply, IRCC requires you to show that exporting the funds will be authorized. Also check which local documents apply, without assuming that a banking option works for every application.
Finally, distinguish a scholarship you are considering from assistance that has actually been awarded and documented. Even when assistance covers part of your tuition, consider how you will fund the other expenses.
Biometrics, fees and processing times: build two timelines
If you need to provide biometrics, follow IRCC’s instruction letter before booking an appointment. The federal directory consulted does not list a visa application centre, or VAC, in Iran; it lists centres in Ankara and Istanbul, among other locations. Before booking travel, check the centre’s services and the entry requirements for the third country.
The listed federal fees are 150 CAD per person for a study permit and 85 CAD for individual biometrics when required. Budget separately for translations, tests, travel and other applicable expenses.
Then organize two timelines:
- Application and funding: institutional and scholarship deadlines, and the availability of transcripts and language test results.
- Immigration: required attestations, study permit application submission and any biometrics appointment.
For study permit processing, consult IRCC’s official tool and select the relevant category and country. The estimate can change and does not guarantee a decision before the start of the academic term.
Scholarships: two opportunities with different conditions
The University of Toronto offers the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship, a financial-need-based award. One category is for international students from Iran admitted to undergraduate or graduate studies. You must be admitted to Toronto before applying for the scholarship.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the listed deadline is December 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The amount varies, and an award is not guaranteed. Check the conditions and dates for the year that applies to your study plan.
At UBC Vancouver, the International Tuition Award is not restricted to students from Iran. It may provide up to 3,200 CAD per year to certain international students enrolled full time in an eligible research-based master’s or doctoral program. Eligible students are considered automatically; external tuition funding may reduce the award or make a student ineligible.
When comparing awards, look at the intended recipients, level of study, expenses covered, duration and rules about combining funding. Also check whether a separate application is required.
Universities and programs: build your comparison
These StudyCanada profiles can help you start exploring the institutions used as examples in this guide:
- University of Alberta: compare the secondary-school documents listed according to the year the Iranian diploma was awarded.
- The University of British Columbia: review general graduate requirements and the language requirements for your chosen level of study.
- Université Laval: explore academic requirements, possible preparatory studies and proof of French.
- University of Toronto: continue your research on the institution and the scholarship described above.
These profiles are neither a ranking nor proof that applications are open. For each program that interests you, note the required credential, prerequisites, language, documents, deadline and funding. Then confirm current conditions with the institution. Academic assessment, admission, an award and the study permit decision remain separate steps.