Canada — Study (Funded PhD)

Main requirements

A PhD admission at a public DLI, usually with a supervisor's backing. Per the official source, doctoral students at public DLIs need no PAL from 1 January 2026. IRCC targets processing doctoral study permits and family members (online applications from outside Canada) within 14 days and reports that 96% of files without extra security screening were finalised in about 2 days on average.

Documents

Passport, admission letter, funding letter (if any), translated master's and bachelor's documents, research CV, statement of purpose and references.

Language

The university sets the minimum. A PGWP after the PhD needs CLB 7.

Costs and proof of funds

The funds rule is the same: first-year tuition + CAD 23,448 (per the official source, from 1 September 2026), but scholarships and funding count as proof. With full funding, personal costs are mostly government fees (CAD 150 + 85), the biometrics trip, flight and first-month expenses.

Steps and timeline

Find a supervisor and topic; apply; admission and funding letter; study permit application; biometrics outside Iran; visa and arrival. Finding a supervisor usually takes the longest.

Notes for Iranian applicants

The 14-day speed excludes files with extra security screening, and IRCC says Iran-linked files get comprehensive security assessments whose complexity may lengthen processing; plan on the general ~20 weeks or more. Biometrics and passport submission are outside Iran as with other routes.

After arrival (work while studying, post-study stay, PR path)

Part-time work up to 24 hours a week in term. Spouses of doctoral students can get an open work permit. After a PhD (2+ year program) a PGWP of up to 3 years, no field-of-study rule. After a year of skilled Canadian work, CEC under Express Entry opens; a 'Researchers with Canadian work experience' category was added in 2026. Ontario's PhD Graduate stream closed in late June 2026.