Studying in Canada from Pakistan: Equivalencies, Documents, Timelines and Proof of Funds

Credentials: Start with the Curriculum You Actually Completed

When choosing a program, start by noting the exact name of your credential, its duration and the subjects you studied. A university can then assess your academic background according to its own criteria and the program’s prerequisites.

These examples do not allow you to draw conclusions about all Canadian universities. For graduate studies, review your full academic background and the requirements of your chosen institution.

Documents: Separate Admission, Authentication and Study Permit Requirements

Prepare two document checklists: one for the university and another for your permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). A transcript used for admission does not necessarily replace the identity or financial documents required for a permit.

The additional checklist for the Islamabad office, IMM 5829 E, mentions, among other items, a national identity card, school documents, explanations for interruptions in studies and certified translations of documents that are neither in English nor in French. Read it together with IRCC’s updated general instructions and those that apply to your application.

Authentication is a separate process. For university credentials, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission describes a procedure that includes an online application, uploading documents, verification with the university and, after review, an electronic certificate. This attestation is not a Canadian admission decision. Check whether it is required for your application before starting the process.

Language: Choose the Right Test or Check Whether You Are Exempt

Language requirements depend on the institution and level of study. Before booking an exam, check the accepted test version, overall score, minimum scores for each component and other ways you may be able to demonstrate your proficiency.

For undergraduate studies at UBC, IELTS Academic is one possible option: the university specifies a minimum overall score of 6.5, with no component score below 6.0. IELTS General is not accepted to meet this requirement. Other language pathways are available.

For graduate studies at UBC Vancouver, university-level education delivered primarily in English may mean that you do not have to submit a test result. However, the program may still request one. Your nationality or having studied in English therefore does not, on its own, guarantee an exemption. The scores cited are specific to UBC, not universal admission or permit thresholds.

Universities and Programs

These three StudyCanada profiles are starting points for comparing institutions. They are not rankings and do not establish eligibility for a program.

• University of Alberta: its official page on Pakistan details documents for the national curriculum and the subjects to be considered for undergraduate studies.
• The University of British Columbia: its official Pakistan profile for graduate studies in Vancouver distinguishes several degree pathways and discusses language requirements.
• McGill University: its official entrance scholarship pages offer a funding option for undergraduate studies.

For each program you are interested in, consult the university’s current requirements directly: required level, prerequisite subjects, language, documents and deadlines.

Study Permits: The Current Process and Attestations

The Student Direct Stream, or SDS, closed on November 8, 2024. New applications follow the regular process, so former SDS processing times are not an applicable timeline.

A study permit application generally requires a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, proof of financial support and a provincial or territorial attestation letter — PAL or TAL. Exceptions to the latter requirement exist.

Since January 1, 2026, programs leading to a master’s or doctoral degree at a designated public institution are among those exempt from the PAL or TAL requirement. This exemption does not automatically apply to all graduate certificates.

In Quebec, when a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) is required, its issuance attestation serves as the PAL or TAL: normally, these are not two separate attestations to provide. Most people exempt from the PAL or TAL requirement must nevertheless obtain a CAQ, subject to provincial exceptions. Check the rules that apply to your situation.

Acceptance by an institution and the decision on a study permit remain separate.

Proof of Funds: Distinguish Between the Thresholds

The amount you must demonstrate depends, among other things, on your destination, the date you apply and the number of people concerned—not solely on Pakistani nationality.

The amounts do not cover exactly the same expenses: the Quebec amount includes, in particular, establishment costs and insurance. Neither figure represents the total cost of studies on its own. IRCC requires applicants to demonstrate resources for the first year and explain how they will fund the rest if the program lasts longer. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds without relying on employment in Canada.

For bank documents, the federal financial support page lists six months of statements among the possible supporting documents. The Islamabad additional checklist, by contrast, asks for 12 months of statements and explanations for large deposits. Read the local instructions together with the general rules.

Note: the version of IMM 5829 E consulted still contains an outdated living-expenses amount that is inconsistent with the current national threshold. For the amount outside Quebec, refer to the updated federal financial table, while still following local document requirements.

Biometrics, Medical Exams and Fees

Biometrics—fingerprints and a photo—are generally required for people aged 14 to 79, subject to exemptions and the validity of a previous collection. IRCC allows 30 days from the date of its instruction letter to provide them. This is not the processing time for the permit decision.

IRCC lists centres in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. Check available services and appointments before travelling.

A medical exam may also be required. Pakistan is on the list of countries concerned: for a planned stay in Canada of more than six months, the rule applies in particular if you have spent six consecutive months in one or more countries concerned during the year before arriving. Other situations may also trigger this requirement. Any required exam must be performed by a designated medical practitioner.

The listed federal fees are 150 CAD for a study permit and 85 CAD for individual biometrics when required and subject to a fee. Budget separately for any other costs, such as translation, travel, a medical exam or provincial procedures.

Timelines: Build Two Schedules

Keep university deadlines separate from study permit processing. IRCC’s official tool provides a variable estimate, not a guaranteed decision date. Select the category for a study permit application made from outside Canada and the relevant country.

Scholarship deadlines may come before the general admission deadline. For undergraduate studies in the session starting in September 2027, UBC announces:

For International Scholars, plan to submit both applications before November 15: different official UBC pages list different time zones for the deadline. These dates are specific to UBC and undergraduate studies. For graduate studies, check the deadline for the program you are considering.

In your schedule, plan separately for academic results, any language test, the application, scholarships, attestations and the permit. A university deadline is neither a guarantee of admission nor an assurance of a departure date.

Scholarships: Check Eligibility for Each Award

An international award may be open to someone from Pakistan without being restricted to that country. Compare the criteria, application process and deadline before counting a scholarship as part of your funding plan.

At UBC, International Scholars considers academic records and financial need, among other factors, and requires a nomination. Other criteria and some exclusions apply. At McGill, a non-renewable entrance scholarship of 3,000 CAD is considered without a separate application for eligible applicants who meet the academic requirements. Consideration does not guarantee that an award will be granted.

By contrast, Pakistan is not on the list of countries eligible for the Study in Canada Scholarships for the 2026–2027 cycle consulted, for which the application period has closed. This finding concerns this exchange program and this specific cycle, not all Canadian scholarships.

To move forward, start with your exact credential, check the program requirements, and then gather the applicable documents and proof of funds. Admission, a scholarship or a bank balance does not, on its own, guarantee that a permit will be issued.