A Canadian student visa must be typically requested before traveling to Canada as a student. A study permit application may sometimes be made from inside Canada. You may be able to apply in certain circumstances at the port of entry when you enter Canada. Make sure you are aware of the options you have.

You must get a Canadian study permit, which acts as a Canadian student visa while you are there, to be able to enroll in classes. If your course or program is six months or less in length, you do not require a Canadian study permit. However, it could be a good idea to apply for a Canadian student visa before you go to Canada. if you change your mind and wish to enroll in another program, you’ll have to leave the country and go through the visa application process.

If you want to continue your studies after receiving a Canadian student visa, you may apply to have it renewed from inside the country. A study permit enables you to work part-time on campus if you are a full-time student enrolled in a recognized higher education institution. You could also be able to obtain employment after graduation, work off-campus, participate in your program’s co-op or internship, or remain in Canada as a permanent resident.

Canada Student Visa Guide: Requirements, Fees, Study Permit, Application, Process

A Canadian student visa may be obtained by following the steps below:

1. A standard admission letter from an accredited higher education institution is the first requirement. A CAQ, or certificate of admission, is required of all students enrolled at Quebec universities. Before you may apply for a study permit, you must get this. This information is available online, on a form that may be printed out, or by asking your institution for a physical form; your university will also provide assistance on this topic.
2. The next step is to get an application package for a Canadian student visa. You may do this by visiting the CIC website, getting in touch with your neighborhood visa office, the Canadian embassy in your country of origin, or any of these organizations. If you are from one of the authorized countries, you may also need to apply for a temporary residency visa; however, this won’t cause too much trouble as it will be handled at the same time as your study permit application.
3. You need to complete a few self-reflection questions on the CIC website to get your application packet. Your eligibility to submit an online application for a Canadian student permit and the supporting documentation you’ll need to provide are determined by the answers to these questions.
4. If your application is approved, you will be given a personal checklist code that is good for 60 days. You must use this number to submit your online application. Print off the page with your code so you have it for reference in the future. A list of the materials you must provide with your application, an estimate of the tuition costs, application guidance, and instructions for the next stage is also provided on this page.
5. After deciding to apply, register for a MyCIC account and input your unique checklist code. As soon as that happens, you’ll have your document checklist, which you can use to upload and email your paperwork to CIC. To achieve this, you will need a scanner or a printer.
6. You may send your finished application to CIC after you have all of your required paperwork available, including the application form, and your fee has been paid.
7. Some candidates may need to show up for an interview at the regional visa office.

What documents are needed for a Canadian student visa?

Once you have received the letter of acceptance to the college, you should apply for a student visa. If you want to enroll in the September intake, you should start the visa application process around June. The following documents are required to apply for a student visa to Canada.

 

1. A current passport

To apply for a study permit, you would need a current passport. It is crucial that you have a passport whose validity spans the duration of your desired stay in Canada, according to the Canadian High Commission. For instance, your passport must be valid until September 2025 if you intend to study there for two years starting in September 2023.

 

2. Documentation of acceptance by an authorized educational institution

You would need the letter of acceptance from the college or institute you intend to attend. A university that has been approved by the Immigration Department is known as a Designated Learning Institute. (A list is provided here for your convenience.) If you were to file for Quebec, you would additionally require a CAQ that would have been properly notified.

 

 

3. Evidence of Funds

You would need to present financial documentation when applying for your Canadian student visa. You would have to demonstrate that you would have enough money to cover both your tuition and living expenses under the current requirements. According to Canadian Immigration, you’ll need at least CAD 10,000 for each year of your stay. In addition to the aforementioned two requirements, the student must demonstrate that he or she has the resources necessary for a return trip. Money can be demonstrated using the following methods:

 

1. a bank account in Canada
2. Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) issued by a Canadian financial institution that is participating.
3. Student loans or loans for education
4. months’ worth of bank statements
5. money order (it should be convertible to Canadian dollars)
6. Proof of housing and tuition payments
7. a letter from the person or institution who gave you the money
8. evidence of funds coming from Canada (in case of a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program)

 

Below provides an idea of funds required for applicants (outside Quebec):

Primary applicant

 

CAD 10,000

First family member

 

CAD 4,000

 

Every additional member

CAD 3,000

Below is a table that provides funds required for applicants (in Quebec):

1 person (under 18 years)	CAD 6,569
1 person (18 years or above)	CAD 13,134
2 persons (18 years or above)	CAD 19,264
2 persons (18 years or above) + 1 person (under 18 years)	CAD 21,579
2 persons (18 years or above) + 2 persons (under 18 years)	CAD 23,290

4. Medical Checkup for Immigration

 

Indian students studying abroad in Canada are required to take an immigration medical examination from credentialed physicians. Students would need to schedule an appointment with one of the recommended doctors and go in for a checkup, ideally one week before beginning their visa application. This is done to provide the doctor adequate time to verify and upload the required paperwork. It is generally advisable to make an appointment in advance with the nearby institution or practitioner listed on the list of doctors who have been appointed.

The panel doctor will do a thorough physical examination and could recommend blood work and a chest x-ray for you. The doctor will submit the findings from your examination to CIC.

5. English Language Proficiency Exam Score

 

Though not compulsory to have English Language Proficiency at the time of application, we strongly advise that you have appeared for and get your ELPS before you start your Visa Application Process. As it is, you would have had to submit your English language proficiency score to confirm your admission to the Canadian University.TOEFL, IELTS, etc. are all acceptable.

6. A Statement of Purpose

When applying for a Canadian student visa, you would be required to submit an essay, showing the purpose of your trip to Canada and the reason you have chosen the particular institution. This would be prompted as an optional document in the checklist but we recommend that you submit the same.

7. Your Passport Size Photographs

If you are going for an offline application, you would need two passport-sized photographs that suit the given standards. but for an online application, you must provide a digital copy of the photograph which should not be more than 4MB. Other requirements are standard neutral facial expression, plain background as well as no headgear (unless for religious purposes). Note:

• The size of the image should be at least 35 mm x 45 mm
• The image should be recent (not older than 6 months)
• Your name and date of birth must be written on the back of each photo

      8. Your credit or your parent’s card

In case you are making an online application, you would also need a credit card to pay the application fee. The Visa Application Fee for Indian students in Canada is CAD 150. Please be reminded that the system only accepts credit cards and not debit cards. And, it is nota must that it is your credit card, you can use your parent’s cards as well, provided you have explicit permission to do so.

Apart from the above mentioned, if applying online, you would need access to a digital scanner. However, if you are applying offline, you should have original copies of all the above-mentioned documents. It is very important to know that while applying online, you would be asked to download a few documents, fill them out, print them, sign them, and then upload them.  The availability of the scanner must be arranged accordingly. The system also allows you to upload a good-quality digital image. So, recommend a scanner for a camera.

During the personal interview, additional documents may be requested by the interviewer. These may be documents to prove evidence of academic or financial status. These may include:

• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
• Scores from tests, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
• Your intent to depart from Canada upon completion of the course of study
• How you will pay all educational, living, and travel costs

 

Read Also: How to Get Permanent Residency in the USA for International Students

Requesting a Canadian Student Visa

Obtaining a paper application from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website will allow you to apply for a Canadian study permit online. It’s usually a good idea to verify the processing timeframes well in advance for paper applications, which normally take roughly twice as long. You’ll need a credit or debit card to apply online, as well as the capacity to convert your supporting papers into an electronic format (i.e. using a scanner or camera). Specific instructions on the documentation you must submit will be provided by the visa office in your nation; this will depend on where you are. The closest visa application center is where you may go for support if you need it (VAC).

 

Added criteria for Canadian student visas

There may additionally be some, all, or none of the following extra criteria for Canadian student visas.

Those who are applying from Europe, the Middle East, or Africa may have to supply biometric information (photographs and fingerprints).

Before submitting their application, certain candidates may additionally need to have a medical test and/or a police check. If you have a criminal past, you won’t be able to receive a study permit; you may be required to provide a Police Clearance Certificate as evidence.

Unless you are from the US or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you must show that you have a current passport that will enable you to go back to your home country after your course is over. Additionally, you must provide two photographs the size of a passport, each with your name and birthdate visible.

Proof of finances for assistance is another need for Canadian student visas. Currently, this is estimated to be an additional CA $10,000 (about US $7,650) each year (or CA $11,000 (around US $8,400) if you’re applying to study in Quebec) on top of your tuition costs. Be sure you have enough cash on hand to cover your return home transportation costs.

You can show that you have this money by presenting any of the following documents: bank statements, proof of a Canadian account in your name if the funds have been transferred, a bank draft in a convertible currency, proof that you have paid your tuition and living expenses, a letter from the person or organization giving you the funds, or documentation showing that you are receiving funding from within Canada if you are receiving a scholarship or are enrolled in a program that is funded by Canada.

Using the Student Direct Stream to submit an application

Students from China, India, the Philippines, or Vietnam may now apply for Canada’s Student Direct Stream, which will expedite the issuance of their study visas. The qualifications are the same as for a standard study visa, but there are stronger language requirements. You must have an IELTS score of at least 6, or a 7 in the French version of the Canadian Niveaux of Language Competence or have completed high school using the Canadian curriculum. Your application will be examined for the normal study permit option even if you satisfy the conditions for both, so you won’t benefit from quicker processing if you don’t satisfy the standards for the Student Direct Stream but do for the regular study permit.

 

Studying in Canada while working

You may now be employed on or off campus for up to 20 hours per week during university semesters and full-time during breaks like the winter or summer vacations without having to get a work visa if you want to work part-time to support yourself while studying in Canada.

To be eligible, you need to:

• Possess an active study permit.
• Enroll in classes full-time.
• Enroll in a secondary vocational program in Quebec, or an authorized post-secondary learning institution, at that level.
• Enroll in a degree-granting program that lasts at least six months, such as an academic, vocational, or professional training program. to be able to work in Canada or to qualify for government services and benefits.

Conclusion

If you wish to remain in Canada after finishing your studies and looking for a job, you must get a post-graduation work visa as your study permit expires 90 days after you finish your degree. For three years.

FAQS

After applying, what should I do?

If and when your application for a student visa to Canada is accepted, you will be given a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction; students from nations that need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and/or a temporary residence visa will, if necessary, be given these documents as well. Your passport and the ETA will be connected. The passport you used to apply for your study permit must be carried with you at all times when traveling. The ETA is valid for five years or until the date on which your passport expires, whichever comes first.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in Canada will issue your Canadian study permit and grant you entry if you provide these together with your passport, documentation of your financial situation, your letter of acceptance, and any other papers you have been instructed to bring.

Read Also: How to Get Permanent Residency in the USA for International Students