In this article, you’ll learn how to get a student visa in Canada. Do you know? Each year, more than 500,000 applicants from all around the world are accepted and given international student visas to study in Canada.
The immigration procedure can seem intimidating, but we will assist you by providing detailed guidance on how to submit your study permit application, pay the price, and get around any obstacles you may encounter.
To give you the best chance of being granted a Canadian study permit, this article will provide all the information you want about student visas in Canada.
Does studying in Canada require a study permit?
You will need a visa to study at a Canadian high school, college, or university regardless of whether your nationality necessitates a tourist visa for travel to Canada.
There are a few circumstances in which you could not need a study permit. Here are a few examples:
if you enroll in a course or program of study that is shorter than six months long while you are a visitor to the nation.
if you’re enrolling in a quick self-improvement course or discovering something new.
Children or family members of accredited foreign representatives’ private staff.
if you are merely taking a class for audit (not getting any credit or grade for it).
There are various circumstances in which applicants might not need a Canadian student visa.
If you’re unsure whether you need a visa, we can help; alternatively, you may read more here.
In most situations, you will need a study permit if you intend to go to Canada in order to participate in a full-time course of study.
How do I apply for a student visa to Canada?
Although the application to study in Canada is not difficult, there are a few things you must take to improve your chances of acceptance. It’s crucial to thoroughly prepare and submit your application because it’s thought that about 30% of applications are rejected.
These are the fundamental actions you need to take:
Apply to a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and obtain a letter of acceptance there. Here is a comprehensive list of Canadian DLIs.
Secure a valid form of identification. Usually, this is a current passport or another form of travel authorization. Additionally, two passport-sized pictures are required. Find out more here.
As soon as you are accepted at your DLI, you must pay in full for your first academic year or be able to show acceptable proof of financial support. You must have sufficient funds to pay for living expenses in addition to tuition and lodging for an entire year.
You can submit a letter of explanation to raise your chances of being accepted. This will make it clearer to a visa officer that you want to study in Canada and that you are aware of your obligations as a student.
Finish the application. You can apply for a study permit online at the website for immigration run by the Canadian government, or you can fill out a paper application and mail it in. The online application is advised because it may typically be processed more quickly than a paper one.
Ensure the completeness of your application. The IRCC will produce a customized list of prerequisites for you when you start the online application process based on the information you supply. If you don’t provide an accurate and comprehensive response, your application may be rejected or delayed. You might need to give, depending on where you live;
- Biometrics
- A medical exam
- A police clearance
- English or French proficiency testing
If you intend to study in Quebec, further documentation could be required.
You may be asked to participate in interviews from within your own nation.
Keep an eye out for contact and status updates from the IRCC in both your email and your application portal. Your application portal will let you know if you were approved or rejected.
If I’m accepted, what happens next?
You will receive your visa at your port of entry if it is accepted. Your visa will be mailed to you at the address you provided in your application if you are currently in Canada.
What occurs if I’m rejected?
You will be informed and provided the reasons why Immigration Canada (IRCC) felt you were not a qualified applicant if your application is denied. You are not ineligible to reapply if you receive a rejection. You might be able to improve your application and submit it again later.
The most typical justifications for refusal are:
You didn’t present sufficient evidence that you could sustain yourself financially in Canada.
The officer wasn’t confident that you would depart Canada after your visit was over because you couldn’t produce a valid health certificate.
Canada Student Visa Requirements
To download a paper application or to apply online, you must go to the IRCC website.
On the website of the Canadian government, you must register. You will then enter your personal information and start the application process.
In order to determine your eligibility to apply, whether a visa is required, and which papers you must submit, the application will first ask you for information that will be used to make those determinations. It’s possible to submit your application in several sessions. You might discover that you need to leave the application in order to gather papers or other data. Your application will be able to be saved so that you can finish it later.
You must pay your application fees before you can submit online.
If you intend to submit a paper application, you must assemble all required paperwork, including the application form, and ship it to the IRCC office of your choice.
Minimum Bank balance for Canada student visa
You must pay $150 CAD for your study permit application. This must be paid at the time your application is submitted. When you apply online, you must use a working credit card or debit card to complete the transaction. In addition, you might pay:
- Biometrics – Typically $85 for the first applicant
- Passport Fees – This varies by country. Please see your country’s passport application service for details.
- Police Clearance – This varies by country. Please contact your local authorities for more information.
- Passport Photos – In most cases, passport photos cost $5 to $25 CAD or your country’s equivalent.
Additionally, you’ll need to provide evidence of your ability to support yourself financially and to pay for your accommodation and tuition.
How long does it take to obtain a study permit in Canada?
After you submit your application, it typically takes 9 to 11 weeks to process a Canadian study permit. You must provide all required documentation before your application can start being processed.
Within 20 days of submission, if you are qualified for the Student Direct Stream, you can expect approval.
What is the Student Direct Stream?
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) in Canada was created in 2018 to speed up and make it easier for some applicants to enroll in academic programs there. The program was established in response to the sharp increase in the quantity of applications for student visas.
If you meet the requirements, you might be qualified to apply. The most fundamental prerequisite is having legal residency in one of the following nations:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
Please be aware that having citizenship in one of the acceptable nations does not provide you access to the SDS. You must have a permanent address in one of these nations.
Additionally, you need to be currently accepted into a DLI in Canada.
The expedited route requires online applications from international students. You will need the following paperwork to apply:
- A copy of your acceptance letter from your DLI.
- A copy of your medical exam (if required).
- A police clearance (if required).
- Proof you have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000 CAN.
- Proof you have paid your first year’s tuition in full.
- A copy of the high school or university transcript you used to apply to your DLI.
Proof that you have completed a language test successfully with:
- A score of at least 6 for English on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or
- A score of at least 7 for French on the Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF)
To learn more about what supporting documents you may need to apply, visit the IRCC website.
Studying and Working in Canada
You might be able to work in Canada while you are a student. Your visa must stipulate that you may work while you are studying there. Additionally, it will specify if you are permitted to work on or off campus. You’ll typically be able to work while you’re a student.
However, you are not permitted to work during the time after your study period. You are permitted to work during the study term, including on days off that are specified in your DLI’s study calendar.
You’ll need to apply for a different visa if your program calls for an internship or co-op placement.