Canada Study Permit from Kenya: Requirements, Proof of Funds and Steps (2027)
Canada calls its student visa a study permit. Kenyan students apply online through IRCC, give biometrics at the visa application centre in Nairobi and usually wait several weeks for a decision. Canada now caps the number of study permits it issues each year, so a complete, well-evidenced file matters more than ever.
Quick answer
Fees: CAD 150 study permit fee plus CAD 85 biometrics, CAD 235 in total, about KES 22,000.
Proof of funds: CAD 23,448 for living costs for applications from 1 September 2026, plus first-year tuition and travel.
PAL: most applicants need a Provincial Attestation Letter from the province where they will study.
Acceptance: you need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Step 1: Get your letter of acceptance and PAL
Apply to a DLI. After you accept your offer, the school arranges your PAL with the province (in Quebec, the CAQ plays a similar role). Ask your school whether your study level needs a PAL, because some graduate students are exempt. Applying without one when it is required leads to a refusal.
Step 2: Prepare your proof of funds
You must show you can pay your first year's tuition plus CAD 23,448 for living costs, about KES 2.18 million, plus return travel. Officers look closely at where the money comes from.
Bank statements for the last four to six months showing a steady balance, not a sudden deposit
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian bank, which is optional but strong evidence
Proof of any tuition deposit you have already paid
Sponsor documents: affidavit of support, payslips, business records and KRA tax returns
Education loan or scholarship letters
Read proof of funds for student visas from Kenya for how to present money from a sponsor.
Step 3: Write a clear study plan
Your letter of explanation should say why you chose this programme and Canada, how it builds on your studies or work, and what you will do afterwards. A programme that doesn't fit your background, with no explanation, is a common reason for refusal.
Step 4: Apply online, then biometrics and medicals
Create an IRCC account and complete the study permit application.
Upload your acceptance letter, PAL, passport, proof of funds, study plan and academic documents.
Pay the CAD 235 and book biometrics at the visa application centre in Nairobi within 30 days of your instruction letter.
Complete an immigration medical exam with an IRCC panel physician if you are asked to.
Common refusal reasons
The officer is not satisfied you will leave Canada at the end of your studies.
Funds that are unexplained, recently deposited or too low.
An unclear purpose of study, or a programme that doesn't match your history.
A missing PAL.
Working while you study
Eligible students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes and full-time during scheduled breaks. Some programmes lead to a Post-Graduation Work Permit, so check that your programme and field of study qualify before you apply.
Get help with your study permit
MultiWorld helps Kenyan students choose Canadian colleges and universities, get the PAL and build a strong study permit file. Start with a free eligibility check, read our guide to studying in Canada from Kenya or see master's in Canada from Kenya.
Fees and rules checked in November 2026. KES amounts use about KES 93 to the Canadian dollar. Always confirm current requirements on the Government of Canada study permit page before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much proof of funds do I need for a Canada study permit?
CAD 23,448 for living costs for applications from 1 September 2026, plus your first-year tuition and travel costs.
Do I need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
Most college and undergraduate applicants need a PAL from the province where they will study. Ask your school whether your study level is exempt.
Can I work while studying in Canada?
Eligible students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes and full-time during scheduled breaks.
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