Canada is a topmost choice of a number of international students who look forward to studying abroad. It is, in fact, the world’s most educated country, with over half of the population having a college degree. Canada also has many top-ranked universities. From the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia to the University of Montreal and McGill University, Canada is a paradise for students who want to make an impact in their life with precious education. For an international student to study in Canada, a Canadian student visa is a must requirement. Without it, the student cannot enter the country. Following we are listing every information that you need to know to apply for the Canada student visa.
Eligibility:
To apply for the Canada student visa, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You are enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- You have enough money to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you.
- You have a return transportation option for you and any family members who come with you.
- You promise to obey the law, have no criminal record, & submit a police certificate (if required).
- You are in good health and can submit a medical exam proof (if required).
- You can prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires.
Additionally, you will have many responsibilities while studying in Canada and you must obey them as dutiful citizens. Depending on your case (that varies from person to person), there may be a condition in your study permit such as:-
- If you are allowed to work in Canada or not.
- If you are allowed to travel to Canada or not.
There are several cases where you might not need a Canada student visa. They are:
- If you’re enrolled for a short term study of 6 months or less.
- If you are a family or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada that has been accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
- If you are a member of foreign armed forces.
- If you have a registered Indian status in Canada, even if you are a citizen of another country.
- If you are a minor child in a kindergarten, refugee, or refugee claimants.
- If you are a minor who is in a pre-school, primary, or secondary school and have parents who have a work or study permit in Canada.
However, the Visa office recommends to get a study permit, even if you do not need one in the following cases:
- If you want to continue your study for more than six months.
- If you want to work on or off-campus.
- If you are a child of a parent who is authorized to work or study in Canada, but you will soon turn 18.
Documents Required:
You will need various documents to apply for the Canada student visa. They are:
- Proof of Acceptance
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Financial Support
- Letter of Explanation
- Certificat d’ acceptation du Quebec (CAQ)
- Custodian Declarations (For minors only)
- English Language Proof
- Police Certificate (If required)
- Medical document proof (If required)
Details of all these documents are given below:
- Proof of Acceptance:
The first document needed to apply for the Canada student visa is your letter of acceptance received by you from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Proof of Identity:
You and any of your family members who come with you to Canada must have a valid passport or travel document. You will also require two passport size photographs with your name & date of birth written on the back.
- Letter of Financial Support:
To get a Canada student visa, you must prove any of the following clauses:
- Document showing you paid for tuition & housing fees.
- A bank draft that can be converted to the Canadian dollar.
- Showing the bank statement for the past 4-months.
- Proof of a student or educational loan from a bank.
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.
- Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you have transferred money to Canada.
The minimum fund needed to support yourself as a student (per year) if you are staying outside Quebec is as follows:
- You (the student) CAN$10,000
- First family member CAN$4,000
- Every additional accompanying family member CAN$3,000
The minimum fund needed to support yourself as a student (per year), if you will be staying in Quebec are as follows:
- You (the student) CAN$11,000
- First family member CAN$5,100
- Every additional accompanying family member CAN$5,125
- Letter of Explanation:
You will be required to submit a letter of explanation to describe why you want to study in Canada & what your responsibilities are as a student. It will help the visa officers to understand you & your goals.
- Certificat d’ acceptation du Quebec (CAQ):
If you want to study in Quebec (French-speaking province in Eastern Canada), you will require a certificate of acceptance from the government of Quebec.
- Custodian Declarations (For minors only):
Custodian declaration form is a must requirement for minors. It has two pages that must be notarized by the certified notary. The custodian in Canada must sign on the first page, and the parents/legal guardian must sign the second page.
- English Language Proof:
You may be required to submit an English language proof to prove your command over the English language (if asked by the Embassy).
Application Process:
You will have two options to apply for the Canada student visa: Online or Paper (offline).
However, the visa office recommends you to apply online. There are several benefits of applying for the Canada student visa online. Some of them are as follows:
- There is no courier fee of mail delivery time.
- Your application is processed more quickly.
- An online application tool helps you to make sure that your application is complete before you submit it.
- You can quickly submit more documents online (if asked).
- You get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.
Steps to apply:
Step 1: Browse for the official website of Citizenship & Immigration Canada and create your online account or sign in.
Step 2: Make sure you have scanned copies of all the documents that you need. You must also have a valid debit or credit card.
Step 3: Read the instruction guide to understand how to complete each field on the form.
Step 4: Answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.
Step 5: Pay fees of $150. It includes processing fee & biometrics fee.
In most cases, the biometrics fee is payable, or else you may experience a delay. It covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.
What happens once you click the submit icon?
After you submit the application for the Canada student visa, the following series of events will take place.
1. You will need to give your fingerprints & photo:
After you pay for the biometrics fee & submit the application, the visa office will send you a letter to tell you how and where to give your biometrics. You will have up to 30 days to give the biometric details.
In India, there are many cities with official biometrics collection service points. The visa office will mention the nearest service point where you will have to make an appointment to give your biometric details.
Some of the cities with biometric collection service points are Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Jalandhar, Hyderabad, etc.
2. Application Processing:
Once you submit the application with all the required documents, it is processed & checked thoroughly by the visa officers. They may also ask you to go to an interview with their officials in your home country or send more information. Once the visa officers complete checking the documents, they may either accept or reject your Canada student visa request.
If accepted, you will be sent a letter of introduction. Please note that it is not your study permit. They will also send you an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visitor visa to enter Canada.
If rejected, the visa office will send you a letter explaining why your application was rejected by them.
Your application for the Canada student visa may be rejected on the following grounds:
- If your application did not show proof that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in Canada.
- If you did not pass your medical exam.
- If you could not convince the visa officers that your main motive is to study in Canada.
- If you could not convince the visa officers that you will leave Canada at the end of your study period.
Prepare for the arrival to Canada:
If your application is accepted for the Canada student visa, you will have to fly to Canada to complete the remaining process.
- First of all, read the pre-departure guide thoroughly for all the tips & information necessary to know before you fly to Canada.
- When you arrive in Canada, you will meet the border services officer. They will check the following:
- Your passport or travel documents.
- You will be asked some questions.
- Your letter of introduction that the visa office sent confirming your acceptance for the Canada student visa. It has a reference number that is used to issue a study permit.
- A copy of a valid letter of acceptance from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.
- Letter of reference or any other document that the visa office told you to bring.
- Valid electronic travel authorization or visitor visa.
Keep all these documents with you at all times. Do not keep these documents in your check-in baggage rather keep it in your carry-on baggage. If the border services officers are satisfied, they will issue your study permit and let you enter Canada.
(Please note that you must disclose your funds to the border officers if you arrive in Canada with more than CAN$10,000. If not, they may seize your fund, or you may be fined.)
Canada is one of the best countries in the world. It has also been ranked #1 for quality of life globally. Studying from Canada will set you in a path to a promising future. So if you are looking forward to kicking start your educational journey from Canada, go for it.
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