Canada study permit from Cameroon
Canada · About 34 weeks with us, as an indication: it depends on your file and on the authorities.
To take a program longer than six months in Canada, you need a study permit. From Cameroon, you apply online once you have been admitted to a designated learning institution (DLI).
The file rests on three pillars: your admission, your funding and your study plan. The officer also checks that you will leave Canada when your permit ends. For Québec, there is one more step: the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
We help you build a consistent path, gather the documents and write a clear letter of explanation. The application is submitted in the student's name, from their IRCC account.
Who is it for?
- Students admitted to a college or university in Canada.
- Bachelor's or master's graduates aiming for a master's or a PhD.
- Parents preparing a child's studies in Canada.
- French-speaking students aiming for Québec or a francophone community outside Québec.
The main conditions
- Be admitted to a designated learning institution (DLI) and hold its letter of acceptance.
- Include a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), unless an IRCC exception applies, such as some master's and doctoral programs at a public DLI.
- For Québec: first get the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI).
- Prove enough money for tuition, living costs and the trip home, according to the official chart.
- Have no criminal record and provide a police certificate if asked.
- Take the immigration medical exam, usually required of Cameroon residents for a stay longer than six months.
- Convince the officer that you will leave Canada when your permit ends.
How long does it take?
How long it takes depends on IRCC processing times, which change often, and on the CAQ for Québec: check the official processing times page (in the sources) and apply well before your start date.
The steps
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Initial consultation
Documents to prepare
- Valid passport
- Academic transcripts
- Language test results
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Acceptance from a DLI
Documents to prepare
- Letter of acceptance
- Proof of tuition payment
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Provincial attestation letter (PAL / TAL)
Documents to prepare
- PAL / TAL
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Financial documents
Documents to prepare
- Bank statements
- Guaranteed investment certificate (GIC)
- Sponsor's proof of funds
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IRCC account and application
Documents to prepare
- Form IMM 1294
- Letter of explanation
- Study plan
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Biometrics and medical exam
Documents to prepare
- Biometrics confirmation
- Medical exam result
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Processing
-
Decision
Documents to prepare
- Port of entry letter
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Travel to Canada
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Study permit received
Documents to prepare
- Study permit
Fees are discussed at the appointment, depending on your situation.
What we check with you
- The link between your background, the chosen program and your career plan: the heart of your letter of explanation.
- Where your funds come from and how regular they are: several months of statements, your sponsor's letter and documents, proof of your relationship.
- The PAL or CAQ included from the start: IRCC asks for it with the application, not afterwards.
- Your passport validity and consistent dates between admission, start date and application.
- Common refusal reasons: a program unrelated to your background, poorly documented funds, doubts about your return, missing documents.
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Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need for a Canada study permit?
The DLI's letter of acceptance, the PAL/TAL or the CAQ for Québec, proof of financial support, your passport and a letter of explanation. Depending on your case, a police certificate and the medical exam are added. The steps above list the documents we ask you for.
How do I get a CAQ to study in Québec?
As soon as you receive your admission letter from a designated Québec institution, you apply to the MIFI for temporary selection for studies. You receive a CAQ attestation letter, which you then include with your study permit application. For Québec, the CAQ replaces the provincial attestation letter.
What proof of funds is accepted for a study permit?
IRCC accepts several kinds: six months of bank statements, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian institution, a student loan, a scholarship, a sponsor's letter with their documents, a receipt for tuition already paid. The amount follows the official chart, which is different for Québec. We help you present clear, traceable funds.
Do I have to pay tuition before applying?
To get a PAL, you usually need to accept your offer and pay part or all of your tuition. The payment receipt also strengthens your proof of funds. Check with your institution before paying.
Where do I do biometrics and the medical exam?
Biometrics are taken at the Canada Visa Application Centre in Yaoundé, by appointment, within 30 days of your instruction letter. The medical exam is done by an IRCC panel physician: the official list shows approved doctors by country.
What should I do after a study permit refusal?
Read the officer's decision notes, included with most refusals since July 2025. They say what did not convince the officer. Reapply only with new information that answers those points. Our guide on refusals explains what to do.