One of the most popular and wide-reaching countries to study abroad is Canada. The country sees an annual increase in the number of international students with more than 300.000 in 2023. This is all due to its renowned colleges, rich culture, and hospitable people. In reality, Canada ranks third after the United States and the United Kingdom in terms of the number of Master’s as well as Bachelor’s programmes available to international students.
Even though Canada is a friendly place, there are some regulations that any student who wants to continue their studies here must follow. The easiest method to make sure that everything goes smoothly prior to leaving your home is to be aware of the requirements to get a study permit from the local government if you intend to stay for more than six months.
Where and When to Apply
Typically, a study permit must be requested before travelling to Canada. A study permit application can sometimes be made from within Canada. You may be able to apply in some circumstances at the port of entry when you enter Canada. Ensure you are aware of the alternatives you have.
Canada Study Permit – What is it?
In Canada, student visas are referred to as study permits. A study permit will let you to stay in Canada, but entry into the nation requires an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) or a guest visa. You will instantly get an eTA after your study permission has been accepted. Aside from that, enrolling at Designated Learning Institutions is permitted for students who get their study permit. An educational establishment that has been permitted by a provincial or territorial government to host foreign students is known as a DLI (Designated Learning Institution).
Eligibility Criteria to get Study Permit
- You have to be a completely vaccinated.
- A DLI has accepted you.
- Proof of sufficient funds to meet your and any family member stay expenses and pay your tuition fee.
- You need to produce a police verification certificate proving that there are no criminal records against you as well as a clean background.
- Show a medical certificate about your good health.
Cost of a study permit
You have to understand and know the exact amount you will have to remit as a fee for a study permit. The fees to get a student visa are as below:
- For a study permit and extensions if any is $150 per person
- Restoring student status is $200 and getting a fresh study permit is $350
Documents Required for study in Canada
The documents required to apply for a study permit in Canada are as below
- Valid Passport
Your passport must be a valid one while applying for a Study Permit. According to the Canadian High Commission the validity of your passport must cover your planned stay in Canada.
- Evidence of Acceptance by a DLI (Designated Learning Institution)
An acceptance letter either from the university or the institute in which you plan to study is required. If applying for Quebec then a CAQ (Québec Acceptance Certificate) which is issued by the Quebec Government is needed.
- Proof of Funds
You have to present financial documentation when applying for your study permit. You would have to demonstrate that you have adequate money to cover both your tuition and living expenses under the current requirements. According to Canadian Immigration, a student should have at least CAD 10,000 available for each year of their stay. In addition to the aforementioned requirements, the student must demonstrate that he or she has the resources necessary for a return trip.
- Photographs
If you chose to submit your application offline, you will need two passport-sized photos that meet the requirements. You must obtain a digital copy of your photo for an online application, which shouldn’t be more than 4MB. Other prerequisites are normal neutral facial appearance, simple backdrop and no headdress.
- IME (Immigration Medical Examination)
Indian students studying abroad in Canada are required to take an immigration medical examination from panelled doctors. Students would need to schedule an appointment with one of the recommended doctors and go in for a check-up, ideally one week before starting their visa application. This is done to allow the doctor adequate time to verify and upload the required paperwork. The panel doctor will do a thorough physical examination and might recommend for a chest x-ray or lab tests. The doctor will send the findings from your examination to CIC.
- Score of English Language Proficiency Exam
Although it is not necessary to obtain your English Language Proficiency Score at the time of application, we strongly advise that you have taken the test and received your results before beginning the study permit application process. As it stands, your English language competency score is required to substantiate you getting admitted in any Canadian University.
- Letter of Explanation
This is also known as a statement of purpose. You would be expected to write an essay when you apply for a Canadian Study Permit outlining why you are visiting Canada and how you understand your obligations as a student. This is an optional document, but we suggest that you submit it.
- Credit Card
You would need a credit card to pay the application cost if you were submitting your application online. For Indian students applying for a visa to study in Canada, the fee is 150 CAD. Keep in mind that the system only accepts credit cards and not debit cards. If you have express permission to use your parents’ cards, you may as well use it.
Conclusion
During personal interview the below mentioned extra documents may be asked for by the interviewer:
- Degrees, diplomas, transcripts, or maybe certificates from schools that you have attended
- Your GRE, or GMAT or TOEFL, SAT scores
- Your intention of leaving Canada once you complete your studies.
- Your mode of payment towards your educational, living, as well travel expenses
Subscribe Visas Maple for more updates on Canada Study Visa. You can follow our official Facebook & Instagram channel for latest updates.
https://www.facebook.com/VisasMaple/
https://www.instagram.com/visasmaple/
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.