Study in Canada from Sri Lanka: Cost and Proof of Funds

Key takeaways

IRCC data: 2,440 study permits for Sri Lankan citizens became effective in 2025, down from 5,150 in 2023
Proof of funds: $23,448 for living costs (about US$16,431 at the Bank of Canada rate on October 9, 2026), plus tuition and travel
Study permit fee $150 plus biometrics $85; a medical exam is required for stays over 6 months
Master’s and PhD programs at public schools do not need a PAL/TAL from January 1, 2026
Full-time students may work up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes

How many Sri Lankan students come to Canada?

Year	Permits for Sri Lankan citizens	Share of all permits
2022	3,570	0.7%
2023	5,150	0.8%
2024	3,495	0.7%
2025	2,440	0.6%
2026 (January to July)	990	0.6%

Source: IRCC open data, study permit holders by country of citizenship and year the permit became effective (data to July 31, 2026). A permit “becomes effective” when it is issued, so the count includes new students and extensions. IRCC rounds values to the nearest 5.

On December 31, 2024, 7,710 Sri Lankan citizens held a valid study permit. At the end of 2019 the number was 1,480, so the group grew fast before the cap and then fell.

What are the main rules in 2026?

The fast-track streams are gone. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) and the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) ended at 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2024. Everyone now applies through the regular study permit stream. IRCC says the regular stream accepts a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) as proof of funds.
There is a cap. Most new college and undergraduate students need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). See the study permit cap and PAL rules.
Students in degree-granting master’s and PhD programs at public schools are exempt from the PAL/TAL from January 1, 2026. The exemption does not cover private schools.
Proof of funds went up. For applications from September 1, 2026 (outside Quebec), one student must show $23,448 for living costs, plus first-year tuition and travel.

Sri Lanka was not a Student Direct Stream country, so the main changes for Sri Lankan students are the cap, the PAL/TAL and the higher proof of funds.

What does a first year cost?

Figures in US dollars use the Bank of Canada rate for October 9, 2026 (US$1 = $1.4271). To get Sri Lankan rupees, multiply by the current rate published by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Rates change daily.

Route (first year)	Tuition	Plus living minimum	Total CAD	Total USD (approx.)
College diploma (Conestoga, 2 terms, 2026/2027)	$15,477	$23,448	$38,925	US$27,276
Graduate certificate (Conestoga, 2 terms, 2026/2027)	$16,809	$23,448	$40,257	US$28,209
Graduate degree (Canada average, 2026/2027)	$24,693	$23,448	$48,141	US$33,733
Bachelor’s degree (Canada average, 2026/2027)	$42,062	$23,448	$65,510	US$45,904

Add the study permit fee ($150), biometrics ($85), travel, a medical exam, health insurance and school fees. Averages are from Statistics Canada table 37-10-0045-01. The living minimum is IRCC’s figure, not a full budget: see student cost of living by city.

Which programs make sense from Sri Lanka?

There is no single best route. It depends on your current qualifications, budget and plans. This table compares the main options on facts you can check.

Route	Who it suits	PAL/TAL	Main thing to check
College diploma or certificate	Students after A-Levels who want a shorter, cheaper, job-focused program	Needed	The program’s field of study for PGWP eligibility
Graduate certificate	Graduates who want a 1-year applied program	Needed	PGWP length depends on program length
Bachelor’s degree	Students after A-Levels who can fund 4 years	Needed	The total cost over 4 years
Master’s or PhD at a public university	Graduates with a strong degree	Not needed (from January 1, 2026)	Admission rules and funding offers

See master’s and PhD in Canada, college vs university and the PGWP eligibility checker.

What documents will I need?

Every applicant uses IRCC’s Document Checklist for a study permit (IMM 5483). IRCC also lists extra visa office instructions by country on its document checklist page. Check whether any instructions are listed for Sri Lanka before you apply. The online application also builds a personal checklist for you.

Most applicants need:

A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI), confirmed by the school to IRCC
A PAL/TAL, unless exempt
A passport valid for your program, and proof of identity
Proof of funds: for example 6 months of bank statements, an education loan, a GIC, proof of paid tuition, or a letter from the person paying for you
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo), at a visa application centre
An immigration medical exam, because Sri Lanka is on IRCC’s list for stays over 6 months
Certified English or French translations of documents in Sinhala, Tamil or other languages

Use our study permit checklist to track each item.

What are the steps, from choosing a school to arriving?

Choose a school and program. Check that the school is on IRCC’s DLI list and whether the program can lead to a PGWP.
Apply for admission. Apply to the school directly or through an agent you have checked. Pay any application fee only to the school.
Get your letter of acceptance and PAL/TAL. The school confirms your letter to IRCC after you apply for your permit. Most college and undergraduate students also need a PAL/TAL, which the school usually requests.
Gather proof of funds. Plan for first-year tuition, $23,448 for living costs and travel.
Book your medical exam with an IRCC panel physician, if it applies to you.
Apply online. Pay the $150 permit fee and the $85 biometrics fee. Upload the general checklist documents and any visa office checklist.
Give biometrics. IRCC says you have 30 days from the date on the request letter.
Wait for a decision. Check current processing times on IRCC’s website. Do not book flights you cannot change before you are approved.

Master’s and PhD applicants to public schools can skip the PAL/TAL step. Everyone else should ask the school early how and when it requests the letter, because provinces have a limited number each year.

How do I pay tuition from Sri Lanka?

Sri Lankan banks need documents to send education payments abroad. The steps are in paying Canadian tuition from Sri Lanka and bringing money from Sri Lanka. Pay only to the school or its named payment partner. Never pay an agent’s personal account. Read study in Canada scams before you sign with any agent.

Can I work while I study?

Full-time students at a DLI may work up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. You need a permit that allows work and a social insurance number. IRCC requires you to show you can pay your costs without working. See working while you study.

Guides for students from other countries: India, Nigeria, the Philippines and China.

Common questions

How much money do I need to study in Canada from Sri Lanka?

IRCC requires $23,448 for living costs for one student (applications from September 1, 2026, outside Quebec), plus first-year tuition and travel. That is about US$16,431 at the October 9, 2026 Bank of Canada rate, before tuition.

How many Sri Lankans study in Canada?

IRCC data shows 7,710 Sri Lankan citizens held a valid study permit on December 31, 2024. In 2025, 2,440 permits for Sri Lankan citizens became effective.

Do I need a PAL for a master’s from Sri Lanka?

Not if the master’s program is at a public designated learning institution, from January 1, 2026. Private-school programs and college or bachelor’s programs still need a PAL/TAL.

Do Sri Lankan students need a medical exam?

Yes, if you plan to stay more than 6 months. Sri Lanka is on IRCC’s list of countries that require an immigration medical exam.

Can I work full time while I study?

Not during classes. The limit is 24 hours a week off campus. You may work unlimited hours during scheduled breaks.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 10, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Studying in Canada from Sri Lanka: cost, proof of funds and which programs fit