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The Accra visa office adds its own checklist to the standard study permit list. It asks for a one-page study plan built around set questions, and for proof that your money has a reliable source.
Written by NextMovePath editorial teamLast updated:
| IRCC processing time from Ghana | 5 weeks (Study permit (applying from outside Canada))IRCC's current estimate, as of September 28, 2026. Source: IRCC processing times |
|---|---|
| Living costs you must show (1 person, outside Quebec) | CAN$23,448 per year plus tuition and travel, about GHS 193,000 at September 2026 ratesSource: IRCC: Study permit proof of financial support |
| When to apply (Accra checklist) | May or June for September intake; September or October for January intakeSource: IRCC Accra visa office: Additional document checklist, study permit (IMM 5815) |
| Study plan | One page answering the Accra office’s listed questions; add a CV if out of school over two yearsSource: IRCC Accra visa office: Additional document checklist, study permit (IMM 5815) |
| Visa application centre | AccraSource: IRCC: Find a visa application centre |
For applications from September 1, 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show CAN$23,448 for one year of living costs, plus first-year tuition and travel. At about GHS 8.23 per Canadian dollar, living costs alone are roughly GHS 193,000. The Accra checklist PDF still quotes the older figure, so use IRCC’s current amount.
Bank statements or a bank book, plus documents that show a reliable source, such as a sponsor’s letter of undertaking and financial documents, a scholarship letter, investments or rental income. IRCC now asks for six months of statements with the source of deposits shown. Include proof of any tuition already paid.
The Accra office lists the questions: why this program in Canada, your overall educational goal, why not a similar program at home, what research you did on local options, how it improves your job prospects in Ghana, and your ties to Ghana. Out of school more than two years? Add your CV.
Yes. The Accra checklist lets you apply with a conditional letter of acceptance, on the understanding that you submit the unconditional letter before the permit can be issued. You must show you meet the conditions. Your current school letter and last year’s transcript are also required.
The Accra office recommends applying in May or June for a September start and in September or October for a January start. Applying late leaves little room for a biometrics appointment in Accra, a medical exam if requested, or a second attempt if the first application is refused.
These are the grounds IRCC officers most often write in refusal letters for this kind of application. They are typical grounds, not statistics. Fix them before you apply, not after.
Tell us where you are in the process. A member of our team will tell you what is missing or weak in your Ghana application, before IRCC does.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and document lists change often. Confirm current requirements on canada.ca or with a licensed Canadian immigration representative (RCIC or lawyer) before you apply.