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Study Permit Refused: Reapply, Seek Review or Rethink

There's no appeal from a study permit refusal. The options are a new application (which needs a new provincial or territorial attestation letter in most cases) or judicial review in the Federal Court within 60 days from outside Canada or 15 days from inside. Students in Canada also need to check their status.

A study permit refusal hits hard: tuition may be paid, the intake date is fixed, and the school's deferral window is often short. The rules on what comes next changed several times in 2024–2026, including the attestation letter (PAL/TAL) and the funds figure.

This guide sets out why study permits are refused, what each option involves and costs, and what a refusal means for someone already in Canada. It explains how the rules work; it doesn't tell anyone what to do with their own file.

What the officer must be satisfied of

Regulation 216(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations says an officer shall issue a study permit if it is established that the applicant, among other things, "will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay", meets the study permit requirements, meets any medical requirement, and has been accepted at a designated learning institution (DLI). For post-secondary DLIs, the school must also have confirmed the acceptance to IRCC.

Regulation 220 adds money: no study permit unless the applicant has "sufficient and available financial resources, without working in Canada", to pay tuition, support themselves and accompanying family, and pay travel to and from Canada.

Regulation 216(3) covers Quebec: no study permit for study in Quebec without a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) where Quebec law requires one.

A refusal letter states which of these requirements the officer wasn't satisfied of.

Read the letter and the officer's notes

Since 29 July 2025, IRCC includes the officer's decision note with refusal letters for most temporary resident applications, study permits and study permit extensions included (IRCC transparency page, page date 27 August 2026). IRCC may remove portions of a note to protect sensitive information.

The note usually shows what the officer weighed: the study plan, the link between the program and past study or work, the funding documents, or ties outside Canada. Both of the options below start from it.

The 2026 funds figure

IRCC's financial-support page (page date 28 August 2026) sets the living-cost amount for study outside Quebec. For applications received on or after 1 September 2026, per year, excluding tuition and travel:

  • 1 person: $23,448
  • 2: $29,192
  • 3: $35,888
  • 4: $43,572
  • 5: $49,419
  • 6: $55,736
  • 7: $62,054
  • each additional person: $6,318

Applications from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2026 used the lower table ($22,895 for one person). A reapplication filed now is assessed against the current figures. IRCC says the amounts "do not include tuition and transportation costs". Its examples of proof include tuition and housing receipts, bank loans or scholarships, the past six months of bank statements showing the source of income, GICs, and a supporter's letter with pay stubs. For study in Quebec, the amounts are set by Quebec's immigration ministry.

Option 1: a new application, and a new PAL/TAL

IRCC's help centre says you can apply again at any time unless your letter says otherwise, and that you "should only re-apply if either your situation has changed significantly, or you have new information to submit that will address the reason you were refused."

The attestation letter is the trap. IRCC's PAL/TAL page (page date 2 September 2026): "You can't reapply with the same PAL/TAL if your study permit application was approved or refused." The same PAL/TAL can only be reused if it's still valid and the earlier application was either withdrawn voluntarily before a decision or never accepted for processing.

Some students don't need a PAL/TAL at all. IRCC's list includes preschool, primary and secondary school; master's or doctoral degree-granting programs at a public DLI starting 1 January 2026; and several other specific groups. IRCC says that in most other cases "you need to accept your offer and pay your tuition fees, either in part or in full, to get your PAL/TAL", so schools' deferral and refund rules matter at this point.

Fees as at the IRCC fee list of 21 September 2026: study permit $150; biometrics $85 if required (biometrics given in the last 10 years generally don't need repeating).

Option 2: judicial review in the Federal Court

IRCC: "there's no formal process to appeal decisions on temporary residence applications." If you believe "the decision is unreasonable or that there was an error in law or fairness", you can apply for leave and judicial review.

  • Deadline: 60 days for a matter arising outside Canada, 15 days for one arising in Canada, after you're notified (IRPA s.72(2)(b)).
  • Fee: $50 to file the application for leave (rule 23 of the Federal Courts immigration rules).
  • Who files: the applicant in person or a lawyer (Federal Courts Rules, r.119).
  • Result: if successful, the refusal is set aside and the application goes back for a new decision. The Court doesn't issue a study permit.

The Court reviews the decision on the evidence the officer had. New bank statements or a new study plan don't belong in the court file; they belong in a new application. Because the hearing can come months after filing, some students also look at whether their intake can be deferred.

If you're already in Canada

A refused extension from inside Canada raises a status question, not just a permit question.

  • While an extension is pending: Regulation 183(5) extends the authorized stay until a decision if it's refused, and Regulation 189 lets a student keep studying under the old conditions until the decision, if they stayed in Canada and applied before the permit expired.
  • After a refusal: Regulation 182 allows an application to restore status within 90 days after losing it, if the person still meets the initial requirements and complied with other conditions. Restoring status as a student costs $396.25 (restoration $246.25 plus a new study permit $150, IRCC fee list as at 21 September 2026).
  • IRCC's help centre: if you had legal status and lost it, "you have a small amount of time to re-apply. See your decision letter for details."

A decision made in Canada also means the 15-day judicial review deadline, not 60.

When people bring in a regulated adviser

People often look for licensed help after a second refusal, when a refusal mentions misrepresentation, when they're in Canada and status is running out, or when the 15-day court deadline applies. RISIAs (international student advisers licensed by the College, often working at schools) can advise on study permits but, per the College, can't represent you or complete forms. RCICs and lawyers can represent you on a new application; only a lawyer (or you yourself) can act in the Federal Court.

Migratio's directory lists only advisers who signed up with us and show "Entitled to Practise: Yes" on the live CICC register, or are in good standing with a law society, each linked to the official register. Migratio is not an immigration consultant and doesn't give immigration advice.

Questions people ask

Can I appeal a study permit refusal in Canada?

No. IRCC says there's no formal appeal for temporary residence decisions. The options are a new application or an application for leave and judicial review in the Federal Court.

Do I need a new PAL after my study permit was refused?

In most cases, yes. IRCC says you can't reapply with the same PAL/TAL if the application was approved or refused. Reuse is only allowed if the letter is still valid and the earlier application was withdrawn before a decision or not accepted for processing.

How much money do I need to show for a study permit in 2026?

For applications on or after 1 September 2026, outside Quebec, $23,448 a year for one person, plus tuition and travel. Higher amounts apply for family members (IRCC, page date 28 August 2026).

How long do I have to apply for judicial review of a study permit refusal?

60 days if the matter arose outside Canada, 15 days if it arose in Canada, after you're notified (IRPA s.72(2)(b)).

My study permit extension was refused inside Canada. What happens to my status?

Regulation 182 allows an application to restore status within 90 days of losing it, if the requirements are met. The fee is $396.25 (restoration plus a new study permit). Your decision letter sets out the details.

Will I get the reasons for my study permit refusal?

Since 29 July 2025, IRCC includes the officer's decision note with refusal letters for most study permit applications and extensions. Portions may be removed.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-09.

Related guides

  • Judicial Review of an IRCC Refusal: The 15-Day and 60-Day Deadlines — To challenge an IRCC decision in the Federal Court you first need leave. The application must be filed within 15 days if the matter arose in Canada, or 60 days if it arose outside Canada, after you're notified (IRPA s.72). Any appeal right, such as an IAD appeal, must be used first.
  • Study Permit Proof of Funds: $23,448 From September 2026 — For study permit applications made outside Quebec on or after 1 September 2026, IRCC's living-expense amount is $23,448 for one person, $29,192 for two and $35,888 for three, excluding tuition and travel. IRCC's page (dated 28 August 2026) also shows the earlier amounts for applications from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2026. Quebec has its own requirements.
  • Provincial attestation letter (PAL/TAL): what it is, who needs one and how it is issued — A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) is a letter from the province or territory where you plan to study. IRCC says it is usually required with a study permit application, must be valid on the day you apply, and cannot be sent in afterwards. Some groups are exempt, and Quebec uses a different document. Each province runs its own process through its schools.
  • Restoration of Status in Canada: The 90-Day Window — If you lose temporary resident status, IRPR s.182 lets an officer restore it if you apply within 90 days and meet the conditions. IRCC's fees are $246.25 for a visitor, $396.25 for a student and $401.25 for a worker (restoration plus permit), and you may not work or study until the restoration and any permit are approved.
  • Maintained Status in Canada: Working and Studying While You Wait — If you apply to extend your stay before it expires and IRCC hasn't decided by the expiry date, IRPR s.183(5) extends your authorized stay until the day of the decision and you keep your status and conditions. You can keep working or studying only under the same conditions, you must stay in Canada, and the right ends on the day a refusal is made.
  • IMM 1294, Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada: what it asks and where applications go wrong — IMM 1294 is the form for a study permit applied for outside Canada, completed by each person who needs one. The IRCC fee list shows $150 per person for a study permit, plus $85 for biometrics where required, and IRCC's guide says fees are not refunded. Every Background Information question must be answered or the application is treated as incomplete and returned.