Quick answer: to study in Canada from Bangladesh, get admission to a designated learning institution, get a provincial attestation letter (PAL) if you need one, show proof of funds (first-year tuition plus CA$23,448 for living costs from September 1, 2026), then apply for a study permit online. You’ll give biometrics at a Canada visa application centre in Bangladesh and, because Bangladesh is on IRCC’s list, you’ll usually need a medical exam. Start 10 to 12 months before your intake.
Canada has become one of the most popular study destinations for Bangladeshi students, and the number of study permits issued to Bangladeshis grew from 1,365 in 2015 to 9,535 in 2023. Since then, Canada has capped international student numbers and closed the fast-track Student Direct Stream, so a careful, complete application matters more than ever. This guide walks through each step, with the details that apply specifically to students in Bangladesh.
Disclosure: Tour Guide BD, a Bangladesh-based education partner mentioned in this guide, is affiliated with this website. You never have to use an agent, and you can always apply to universities and to IRCC directly.
This guide is general information based on official sources. Your own requirements depend on your situation, and IRCC makes every decision, so check the official pages before you apply.
Step-by-step timeline for Bangladeshi students
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 12 months before | Shortlist programs and schools, check entry requirements, and book an English test |
| 9 to 11 months before | Apply to universities or colleges before their application deadlines |
| 6 to 8 months before | Accept an offer, pay any deposit, get your PAL, and open a student file with your bank |
| 5 to 6 months before | Prepare your proof of funds and letter of explanation, then apply for your study permit |
| After you apply | Give biometrics, do your medical exam, and send your passport when asked |
| 1 to 2 months before | Book flights, arrange housing and plan your arrival |
Canadian schools have three main intakes: September (Fall, the largest), January (Winter) and May (Summer or Spring). For a September start, many students apply between October and March.
Step 1: Choose a program and a designated learning institution
You can only get a study permit for a school on IRCC’s designated learning institution (DLI) list. Think about more than rankings:
- Cost: tuition for international students varies widely between schools and provinces. See our guide to the cost of studying in Canada.
- Work rights after graduation: not every program leads to a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Check our PGWP eligibility checklist before you commit.
- School type: universities, colleges and private career colleges work differently. Read about the types of post-secondary schools in Canada.
- Location: smaller cities often have lower rent and living costs than Toronto or Vancouver.
Step 2: Meet the academic and English requirements
Most Canadian universities assess Bangladeshi applicants on their HSC results for undergraduate programs, and on their bachelor’s degree and CGPA for graduate programs. Requirements vary by school and program, so always check the program page.
- English tests: most schools accept IELTS Academic, and many also accept TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or other tests. Some waive the test for students who studied in English. See do you need IELTS to study in Canada?.
- Documents: SSC and HSC certificates and mark sheets, or your degree certificate and transcripts, plus your passport.
- Study gap: a gap after HSC or your degree isn’t a problem in itself, but be ready to explain it with evidence of work or other activity.
Step 3: Apply to schools and save on application fees
Most Canadian universities charge international applicants CA$100 to CA$170 per application. Some offer waivers. For example, international applicants to the University of Regina and the University of Winnipeg can be considered for a free application by selecting Tour Guide BD as their agent. See our full guide to universities in Canada with no application fee.
Step 4: Get your provincial attestation letter (PAL)
Most college and undergraduate students need a PAL from the province where they’ll study. Your school requests it for you, often after you accept your offer or pay a deposit. Since January 1, 2026, students in master’s and doctoral programs at public institutions don’t need one. Read our PAL guide for the details.
Step 5: Open a student file and arrange your funds
To send tuition and living costs from Bangladesh, you’ll usually open a student file at an authorized dealer (AD) branch of a Bangladeshi bank. Student files are regulated by Bangladesh Bank, and banks use them to send money to your school and, for living costs, to your own account abroad.
- Banks commonly ask for your offer letter, your passport, your educational certificates, your NID or birth certificate, the school’s refund policy and your sponsor’s details. Requirements vary by bank.
- You can usually open a file once you have your offer letter, before you get your study permit.
- You can only have one student file open at a time, and it must be renewed every year with proof of enrolment.
- Money for tuition goes to the school’s account, not to a relative’s account in Canada.
Ask your bank about its documents and processing time early. Delays in sending a deposit can delay your PAL or your letter of acceptance.
Step 6: Prepare your proof of funds
IRCC wants to see that you can pay for your first year without working. For applications from September 1, 2026, that means your first-year tuition plus CA$23,448 for living costs for one person, plus more for each family member who comes with you, and travel costs.
Bangladeshi applicants commonly use a mix of:
- bank statements and fixed deposits in your or your sponsors’ names, usually covering several months
- proof of tuition already paid to your school
- an education loan letter from a bank
- a scholarship letter, if you have one
- your sponsors’ proof of income, such as salary certificates, business documents and income tax returns
Officers look at where the money came from, not just the balance. Explain any large or recent deposits with documents, such as a property sale deed or a fixed deposit maturity. See the full study permit document checklist.
Step 7: Apply for your study permit online
Apply online through your IRCC account. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) closed on November 8, 2024, so students from Bangladesh now apply through the regular study permit process. Your application usually includes:
- letter of acceptance from your DLI
- PAL (unless you’re exempt)
- passport
- proof of funds
- a letter of explanation, or study plan, that explains your choice of program and your plans after graduation. See how to write one.
- the study permit fee of CA$150 and biometrics fee of CA$85
Check current study permit processing times before you apply. They change often, and applying early gives you time to respond if IRCC asks for more documents.
Step 8: Give biometrics and do your medical exam
After you apply, IRCC sends you a biometric instruction letter. Book an appointment at a Canada visa application centre (VAC) in Bangladesh through VFS Global’s Bangladesh website. When booking, you’ll be asked to upload your biometric instruction letter. You have 30 days to give your biometrics after you get the letter.
Bangladesh is on IRCC’s list of countries that require an immigration medical exam. If you’ve lived in Bangladesh for 6 months or more in a row in the past year and you’ll stay in Canada for more than 6 months, you’ll need a medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician. You can do it before you apply (an upfront exam) or wait for instructions from IRCC.
Common reasons study permits from Bangladesh are refused
- Funds that aren’t convincing: balances that appear suddenly, unclear sponsors or income that doesn’t match the amounts shown.
- A weak study plan: a program that doesn’t fit your education or career, or no clear reason to study in Canada.
- Doubts that you’ll leave Canada: officers consider your family, job prospects and other ties in Bangladesh.
- Missing or inconsistent documents: names, dates and amounts that don’t match across documents.
- Fake documents: never submit altered bank statements or letters. Misrepresentation can lead to a five-year ban.
If you’ve been refused before, read the reasons carefully and fix them before you reapply. For advice on a refusal, use a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
After you arrive
Once you’re in Canada, you must follow your study permit conditions, including staying enrolled and making progress in your program. Most students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes. See how many hours international students can work.
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS mandatory to study in Canada from Bangladesh?
Not for the study permit itself, now that the Student Direct Stream has closed. But most schools require proof of English, usually IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or another accepted test, unless they grant a waiver.
How much money do I need to show for a Canadian study permit from Bangladesh?
Your first-year tuition plus CA$23,448 for living costs for one person, for applications from September 1, 2026. You’ll need more if family members come with you.
Where do Bangladeshi students give biometrics for Canada?
At a Canada visa application centre in Bangladesh run by VFS Global. Book through VFS Global’s Bangladesh website after you get your biometric instruction letter.
Do Bangladeshi students need a medical exam for a Canadian study permit?
Usually yes. Bangladesh is on IRCC’s list of countries requiring an immigration medical exam for people staying more than 6 months.
Can I study in Canada with a study gap?
Yes. Schools and IRCC look at your whole profile. Explain the gap in your letter of explanation and support it with documents, such as work experience letters.
Related guides
- Study in Canada: step-by-step guide
- Study permit document checklist
- Provincial attestation letter (PAL) guide
- Universities in Canada with no application fee
- Cost of studying in Canada
Official sources
- IRCC: Documents for a study permit
- IRCC: Proof of financial support
- IRCC: Provincial or territorial attestation letter
- IRCC: Countries requiring a medical exam for temporary residents
- VFS Global: Canada visa application centres in Bangladesh
- Standard Chartered Bangladesh: Student file
- The Daily Star: Student files and studying abroad