How difficult is it to get the Canadian Student Visa, also known as a Canadian study permit? Knowing all about this will play an important role when you make a decision on where you want to study. So, what are you required to do to get your student visa for Canada, and how hard is it?
Let’s discover together!
Each year, more than 130,000 foreign students elect to study at Canadian universities. On top of a high-quality education system, Canada also offers a lot of possibilities and a rich culture. Research, scientific publications, and international collaborations are three of the main aspects that Canada and its academic institutions focus on.
Apply at a Canadian university and receive your admission letter
If you’re still not sure where you want to study in Canada, you will have to decide before you can start your Canadian Student Visa application process. After getting admitted to a Canadian university, you’ll receive an admission letter needed for the visa application.
Here are some Canadian universities we recommend:
- Brock University
- Seneca College
- University of Regina
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- Mount Allison University
Check if you need to apply for a Canadian Student Visa
You can make use of the official Canadian study permit tool to learn if you require a study visa or permit. You don’t require a study visa if one of the following conditions applies to you:
- You are a family or member of staff of a foreign representative in Canada, who is recognized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
- You enrol in a study programme that lasts less than six months.
- You are a member of foreign armed forces from the Visiting Forces Act.
- You are a national of another nation, but you possess an Indian status recorded in Canada.
Bear in mind that the study permit/visa does not function as a regular visa, which enables you to enter or travel to Canada. To enter into Canada, you will require a travel visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Start your application for the Canadian student visa
When you receive the admission letter from the university, you should go ahead to the next step: applying for a student visa, which is domestically known as a study permit.
The first steps to obtaining your student visa:
- Apply online for your Canadian student visa, on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website before you arrive in Canada.
- Mail the visa application credentials by post if you have a limited internet connection or you are not able to submit the documents online.
- Submit an admission letter from a selected learning institution (a university accredited by the Canadian government).
- Deliver proof of sufficient financial resources to support your studies in Canada (tuition fees and living expenses).
- Submit evidence verifying you have no criminal record.
- Hand in clinical records that verify that you are in good health; present complete medical examinations if needed.
In line with recent visa regulations, if you have a family member working or putting in for a work permit in Canada, your study permit application will be processed in two weeks. You may make a renewal or extend your study permit if:
- you wish to continue your studies
- your programme has an extension
- you change your university
The study permit becomes invalid 90 days after your programs are finished (when you get a notification of the program conclusion). You can still remain in Canada to travel and explore the country or put in for a work permit, which enables you to take on a full time or part-time job, or even be self-employed.
Prepare all required documents for the Canadian Student Visa
- Filled-in student permit application form
- The original admission letter from the university
- A valid passport/travel document, which also allows you to return to your home country. If you reside in the United States, this is not required.
- Two recent passport-size photographs, with specifications of name and date of birth on the back.
- Evidence of financial assistance during your study program. This implies proving you possess between 10,000 and 11,000 CAD each year for residing in the nation.
- A letter of intent
- If you intend to study in Quebec, you will also require a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, English and French translations of your credentials, a statement from the translator and an official copy of the original documents
- Proof that you paid the study permit fee (150 CAD)
Language requirements for studying in Canada
Evidence of English language aptitude is not added on the list of needed documents for a Canadian student visa. But except if you come from an English-speaking nation, Canadian universities will need you to present evidence of English language adeptness. Accepted language tests:
- IELTS Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- PTE Academic
- C1 Advanced
Biometrics appointment and interview
Based on your nationality, you might be required to visit a Visa Application Centre in your nation to have your biometrics taken. The biometrics fee is 85 CAD. This fee is different from the regular visa application fee. Some nations are excluded from this biometrics condition, so their nationals won’t have to visit an application centre at all.
Based on your individual circumstance, you might also be invited for an interview. A small fee may be charged to that effect.
You can get more recent info about the Canadian student visa on the official student visa page of the Canadian government.
Find more articles on Student Resources here
