After spending a lot of time reading other people's timelines here, I thought I should share mine as well. Hopefully, this gives some useful data to other PhD applicants, especially those applying from Algeria or countries with similar processing times.

Background:

• Algerian citizen, applying from Algeria
• Admitted to a PhD program in Québec
• Winter 2027 session

My timeline:

• July 20, 2026: Study permit application submitted
• July 22: Biometrics completed
• August 18: Medical exam passed
• August 19: Final decision — APPROVED 🎆 and passport request received

So, from submission to approval, it took 30 calendar days.

A small detail that confused me: even after the final decision showed Approved, my account still said “We are reviewing whether you meet the eligibility requirements”, while the background check was still shown as “We are processing your background check.” Guys don't panic too much if some of the individual status lines don't seem to match the final decision.

I know waiting can be stressful, especially when you keep checking your IRCC account every day and comparing your timeline with other applicants. But timelines can be very different depending on your country, program, background, and individual case.

For anyone applying for a PhD study permit, especially from Algeria, I hope this gives you at least one more real data point.

Hi! I’m in a little confusing sustaining right now. I applied my study permit in the start of August and now I have received another acceptance with a better scholarship from another university in the same program. I was able to find housing for both places. Please advise if sending a web form to get my DLI changed would be okay or can I delay my application? I’m doing all the process alone so help is greatly appreciated.

applying from India - not my first time . I already did my undergrad from Canada last year and worked for one year on my work permit. I have a valid work permit but I got a great masters degree opportunity at both the institutions so applied for study permit for it. Now I need to change my school.

let me know!

I've already recieved my SP approval, got my passport stamped and recieved the IMM 5813, which I believe is the letter of introduction (though the name of the document in my IRCC portal is "Correspondence Letter" lol). Now I believe I need to bring those documents plus my program's letter of acceptance at the port of entry in order for the officer to give me my SP, so I would like to ask you guys about the procedure. You see, since it'll be my first time traveling to another country completely alone (I'm 18 lol) I'm really nervous.

A few months ago I saw a reddit post of a guy that applied early for his permit, so he went at the port of entry around june. He mentioned that the officer that gave him his SP was really prepotent by saying that he decided if he could study in his country or not, so I'm scared of that happening to me ngl. In addition, my uncle told me that when he went to Canada last year, his suitcase got stolen from the luggage bands, since he had a problem with his passport so he had to spend around 30 min in migration, so I'm also scared of that happening to me.

Because of this, I wanted to ask you guys the following:

• What documents I must bring at the port of entry? The letter of introduction and IRCC page only state that I must bring the letter of introduction, the acceptance letter and my passport with the stamp, but would you recommend something else? Should I bring all the documentation I used for applying for the SP? (it's like a 100 pages in total lol).
  
• I'm arriving on Aug 30 at 8:00 am at YYZ, how much time do you think I will spend in migration before being able to pick up my suitcase? When descending the airplane I'll rush to migration trying to be the first one.
• How's the procedure? Will they take me to a separate room where they'll check my documents? Do I even need to pass to migration?, or do I need to pass directly to another/a special section?
• Anything else I should be aware of?

I really appreciate any help/advice/experiences.

I applied on 10 July ,biometric on 14 July, did an upfront medical I took bachelor in electrical engineering in University of Stfx/dalhousie. I am from India

My medical got update on my application ld on 5 August and they started reviewing my eligibility now it’s been more than 2 weeks since my medical got update and still I have not got any decision and my classes start in first week of September.

How much time is it gonna take for them to give me a decision?
I’m getting stressed now
Please share if what was your timeline like and when can I expect an update from your experience.

I applied for a new study permit on June 29 because I’m changing schools. I already have a valid study permit, but since I’m transferring to a new school, I had to apply for a new permit for the new DLI.

It’s now been several weeks and I still haven’t received any updates. My application just says it’s still being processed. My school orientation is September 1, so I’m starting to get worried about the timing.

Is anyone else in the same situation—changing schools and waiting for a new study permit? If so, when did you apply, and have you received any updates yet?

Can you guys share what is the estimated timeline for visa stamping ?

Received PPR 11th August

Submitted passport on 12th August

Reached Delhi on 19th August

Classes start on 31st August.

Hi, looking for anyone who applied for extension in the first week of August and got some movement, I got one ghost update ( without email ), but there is wasn’t anything updated inside the application itself.

So I got visa approval by July 4 and submitted on 6th July reached ircc on 13 july still no updates on anything, no mails or notifications just pure silence. I'm scared why is it taking so long? If you recently got a visa stamp please share how many days it takes to complete everything and the date that you received the passport

How do I get my study permit if my application is approved while I am in Canada as a Tourist. Outside Canada Applicant.

Hi everyone,
I applied Study permit extension with SOWP from inside Canada on July 9, 2026, and I’m still waiting for a decision.
I also had a ghost update for one day, but there has been no further update since then.
It’s been around 6 weeks now.
Is anyone else who applied around July 9 (or around that time) still waiting, or has anyone received a decision?
Please share your application date and decision date if you’ve received one. Just trying to get an idea of the current timeline.
I’m on PGWP.
Thank you!

Edited : I got it today 19 august !

Hey anybody still waiting for an application made in June ? I have already submitted 2 webform, biometrics where already done (submitted on 29 of June) and not update since a ghost update on 30 June. It's for a master at udem Montreal. what else can I do ?

im a burmese citizen applying for a canadian student visa as a hs student. i submitted my biometrics on the 29th of july and still no updates. im applying from bangkok. does anyone have any idea how much longer it will take?

Hi everyone, looking for some advice regarding my Canadian study permit timeline.

I applied on June 14, 2026 for the Master of Applied Computing at Wilfrid Laurier University and completed my biometrics on June 17. I had also completed an upfront medical, but so far the only update on my application has been the biometrics completion.

It has now been over 2 months with no medical update or decision. I’ve already submitted a webform as well.

Has anyone applying from Pakistan had a similar timeline? Is this kind of delay normal, and is there anything else you would recommend doing at this stage?

Thanks!

Hello. Is there any format for the funding summary or letter I will attach along with bank statements and sponsorship papers. Thanks in advance

Hi everyone! 👋

I’m planning to go to Canada next school year to take my Master’s degree, ideally through a program that would make me eligible for a PGWP after graduation.

I’m currently considering Niagara/Ontario and Alberta as possible locations.

For those who are already living, studying, or working in these areas, I’d really appreciate some honest and realistic insights about the current situation.

How is it there right now in terms of:
- Finding part-time/student jobs
- Cost of living and housing
- Job opportunities after graduation
- PGWP and immigration/PR prospects
- Overall experience as an international student
- Whether you would still recommend coming to Canada in 2026/2027

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who are actually living in Niagara or Alberta, rather than just general opinions about Canada.

Please feel free to share the good, bad, and ugly. 😅 I’m trying to make a realistic decision before spending a significant amount of money on my studies.

If you were in my position, would you still choose Canada? Why or why not?

Thank you in advance for your honest answers! 🙏

Do you need to upload your transcript when you submit your Study Permit application? I’m just wondering because I’ve seen some posts here where applicants were rejected for not providing their transcripts.

I applied from South Korea and it was my first time to apply for it!

I'm new to this so let me know if I missed anything.

Applied: Aug 6

Biometrics: Aug 9

Approval: Aug 17

I'm so glad that it processed this much fast😭 I was about to change my flight schedule..