How to Apply For Canada Student Visa: The Ultimate Guide

How to Apply For Canada Student Visa: the ultimate guide: Studying abroad in Canada can be a rewarding experience. Knowing how to apply for a student visa will make the process go smoothly. To apply for a Canada student visa, you must collect all the proper documentation to be eligible to study in Canada. Then, complete the application and pay the required fees.

Eligibility Requirement for a Canada Student Visa

Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution: You need an acceptance letter from a recognized learning institute or DLI. Your selected Canadian institution or institute has to be able to provide a COVID-19 readiness plan that has been approved by its territory or province and is listed on an approved list.
A proof of fund: A statement of the amount of money. You need to prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your tuition or living expenses and the cost of return travel for you and a family member joining you when in Canada.

No criminal record: To demonstrate that you are a law-abiding citizen of your home country, you should not have a criminal record. To prove that they don’t pose an imminent danger to Canadian security, candidates must submit a police certificate.

Intent to leave Canada: You must demonstrate to the immigration officer that you plan to leave Canada after you have completed your studies.

Results of language proficiency: IELTS result sheet with an overall score of 6.5 for postgraduate courses and 6 in undergraduate classes in The English Language Proficiency Test (not mandatory, but highly recommended).

Valid passport: You would need a Valid Passport to be able to apply for a Study Permit. As of the Canadian High Commission, it is important that you have a passport whose validity covers the intended stay in Canada. For instance, if you plan to travel to Canada in September 2022 for a two-year course, your passport should be valid until at least September 2024.

Prepare 2 recent passport-sized photos to attach to the application: These need to be photos of you that are no older than 6 months. Each photo should be at least 35 by 45 millimeters (1.4 by 1.8 in). On the backs of the photos, include your full name and date of birth.
All facial expressions in the photos need to be neutral. You should be facing forward in front of a plain background. Avoid wearing headgear unless it’s religious garb.

Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution: You would need the acceptance letter from the university/institute you are planning to attend. A Designated Learning Institute is a University that is recognized by the Immigration Department. (Here’s a list for your reference). In case you are applying for Quebec, you would also need a CAQ which would be duly notified.

Proof of Funds or sponsorship: At the time of application for your Study Permit, you would have to show proof of funds. As per the present standards, you would have to prove that you would have enough funds to pay our tuition fees as well as take care of living expenses. Canadian Immigration deems a student would require at least CAD 10,000 for every year of their stay. Apart from the above two, the student would also have to prove that he/she has enough funds for a return fair as well.

While filling out the application form, you would have to show proof of fees paid as well as the stipulated cost of living @ CAD 10,000. If you are applying for Quebec you require at least CAD 11,000 for every year of your stay.

Immigration Medical Examination (IME): Canadian Immigration requires international students from India to undergo a compulsory Immigration Medical Examination from impaneled doctors. Students would have to book an appointment and visit the listed doctors for a medical examination, preferably a week before they start their Visa Application. This is to give the doctor enough time to validate and upload the necessary documents. Booking an appointment in advance with the nearest facility/ practitioner as per the list of impaneled doctors is always advised.

The panel physician will perform a complete medical exam and may refer you for chest x-rays and laboratory tests. Once your exam has been completed, the physician will send the results to CIC.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Apply For Canada Student Visa

Step 1: Apply to a college or university.

Acceptance of admission and an acceptance letter issued by a recognized educational institution is the initial step to starting your Canadian student visa procedure. In Canada, many institutions and colleges offer students a wide range of degrees and options for study.

Step 2: Pay the tuition fees to the university

The next step is to pay your tuition or fees for the college or university following receipt of the invitation letter. A receipt is issued when the institution has processed and received the fee. The receipt should be kept since it will be required for the time you file the visa request. You can make use of the international transfer method to cover your charges.

Step 3: Invest in GIC

The next step for students is buying a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Scheme). Every international student needs a GIC to pay for their cost of living after arriving in Canada. The GIC comes with a value of $10,200 and is available at any participant bank. The bank takes out administrative charges. It is usually $200 but can vary between banks. After you arrive in Canada, You will be provided with $2,000, and the remainder of $8,000 will be paid to you in equal installments to cover your expenses for living.

Step 4: Have yourself medically checked

Canadian government. It is necessary to undergo a medical exam with a licensed physician in Canada. You will be issued the receipt you received for the examination, and the results will go straight to immigration officials. This receipt is sent after the application has been submitted.

Step 5: Submit Visa application

The next step would be to apply for a Student visa in Canada.

Step 6: Apply for the visa.

You will receive a letter from the Canadian government seeking the passport of your choice if your request is approved. It is delivered by mail or VFS. You’ll be issued a temporary residence visa and an introduction letter.

How long does it take to receive the Canadian study permit?

In most cases, a Canadian study permit takes 9 – 11 weeks to process after you have submitted your application. Your application will not begin processing until you have submitted all necessary documents.

Canada Student Direct Stream

Canada’s Student Direct Stream (SDS) was established in 2018 to expedite and simplify the pathway to studying in Canada for certain applicants. The program was created in response to the rapid growth and expansion of the number of student visa applications.

You can use the Student Direct Stream to get the study permit faster. Fees start at 150 CAD and the processing time is usually around 20 calendar days. The Student Direct Stream is only available for students from the following countries:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Brazil
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• India
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Philippines
• Senegal
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vietnam

Working While Studying in Canada

It’s possible you can work in Canada while you are studying. Your visa must include the condition that you can work while in the country studying. It will also designate whether you can work on or off campus. In most cases, you’ll be eligible to work while you’re studying.

However, you cannot work during the period of time that is outside your study period. You may work during your DLIs study calendar, as well as designated holidays within the study period.
Should your program require an internship or co-op placement, you will need to apply for a separate visa.

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