International Students continue to come to Canada in significant numbers. While entrance to Canada’s top universities demands exceptional academic performance, the right to study is verified through the use of a study permit. You must get a study permit before entering Canada if you want to enroll in academic, professional, or vocational training at a university, college, or other educational institution there. When students enter Canada, they receive this study permission. But in order to travel there, a student first needs to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, which is issued by the Canadian High Commission and handled by the Visa Application Centers. The authorized visa processing center for Canada is VFS Global Services. Additionally, applicants should be aware of the grounds for Canada Visa denials. Everything from the prerequisites for obtaining a student visa for Canada to the paperwork needed to apply for a study permit will be covered in this article.
A Canada Study Permit: What Is It?
An authorization for international students to study in Canada is given in the form of a study permit, which is provided by the Canadian immigration authorities. Without a legitimate study permission, international students are unable to enroll in courses in Canada. In addition, students who have a study permission are permitted to enroll in institutions with designated educational programs. A designated learning institution (DLI) is a college or university that has been given the go-ahead by the provincial or territorial government to accept foreign students.
How to obtain a study visa for Canada
You must bring the Letter of Introduction and all the relevant paperwork with you to Canada. An immigration officer would meet with you at the airport. Present your passport and your letter of introduction to the border patrol agent, who will verify your documents and provide you a study permit if necessary.
Eligibility requirements for a student visa for Canada
If you meet the following requirements, you may apply for a Canada Study Visa:
To travel, you must be completely immunized. Some of the recognized vaccines are AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Bharat Biotech Covaxin, etc.
A designated learning institution has accepted you (DLI).
You must demonstrate that you have the resources necessary to cover your tuition, living expenses for you and any accompanying family members while you are in Canada, as well as the cost of getting back home for you and any accompanying family members.
You must demonstrate that you are law abiding and have a spotless background. The candidates must present a police verification certificate to demonstrate this.
You must get a health checkup and present a doctor’s note attesting to your excellent health.
You must persuade the visa officer that you will depart Canada once your studies are through when you go for your visa interview.
What documents are needed to obtain a student visa in Canada?
When you receive the letter of acceptance to your college of choice, you should apply for a student visa. If you want to be admitted in September, you need start the visa application procedure in June. The documents required to apply for a student visa to Canada are listed below.
- Genuine passport
To be eligible to apply for a study permit, you must have a current passport. You must have a passport whose validity extends beyond the desired period of time in Canada, according to the Canadian High Commission. For instance, if you intend to study in Canada for two years starting in September 2022, your passport must be valid through at least September 2024.
- A certification of acceptance from a recognized educational institution
The acceptance letter from the college or institute you wish to attend is required. The Immigration Department recognizes universities as Designated Learning Institutes. (For your reference, here is a list.) You will also require a CAQ, which will be properly notified, if you are applying for Quebec.
- Financial Proof
You would need to provide proof of funds when applying for your study permit. As per the current requirements, you would need to demonstrate that you would have enough money to cover both our tuition and living expenses. For each year of their stay, Canadian Immigration estimates that a student will need at least CAD 10,000. In addition to the aforementioned two requirements, the student will also need to demonstrate that they have the money to pay a return fair. The following can be used to demonstrate funds:
Account with a Canadian bank
a Participating Canadian Financial Institution’s Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
a student loan or loan for education
the last four months’ worth of bank statements
deposit check (it should be convertible to Canadian dollars)
evidence of tuition and housing fees being paid
letter from the organization or individual that gave you the money
evidence of sponsorship from within Canada (in case of a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program)
The table below gives an indication of the amount of money needed for candidates (from outside Quebec):
Person
Annual Funds Required (Excluding Tuition) – Outside of Quebec
initial applicant
CAD 10,000
the oldest relative
CAD 4,000
every new participant
CAD 3,000
The amount of money needed by applicants (in Quebec) is shown in the table below:
Person
Annual Funds Required – In Quebec (without university fees)
One person (under 18 years)
CAD 6,569
One person (18 years or above)
CAD 13,134
two people (18 years or above)
CAD 19,264
2 people (18 years or older) plus 1 person (under 18 years)
CAD 21,579
2 people (at least 18 years old) plus 2 people (under 18 years)
CAD 23,290
- Photos the size of a passport
Two passport-sized photos that meet the requirements are required if you chose to submit your application offline. A digital copy of the photo that is no larger than 4MB must be obtained for an online application. The usual neutral face expression, a plain background, and the absence of headgear are additional prerequisites (unless for religious purposes). Note:
The image should be at least 35 mm by 45 mm in size.
The photo should be current (not older than 6 months)
Each photograph must bear your name and birthdate inscribed on the reverse.
- Immigration Medical Checkup (IME)
Indian students who are studying abroad in Canada must go through an immigration medical examination that is mandated by credentialed physicians. A week or more before they begin their visa application, students must schedule an appointment with one of the specified doctors and go in for a medical checkup. The doctor will have adequate time to validate and upload the required documents because of this. It’s usually a good idea to schedule a visit in advance with the nearby facility or practitioner using the list of authorized physicians.
The panel doctor will undertake a thorough physical examination on you and can recommend laboratory testing and chest x-rays. The doctor will send CIC the results of your examination after it is finished.
- Score on the English Language Proficiency Examination
We strongly advise that you have taken the test and received your English Language Proficiency Score before you begin the visa application process, even if it is not required at the time of application. Currently, in order to verify your admission to the Canadian University, you would have needed to submit your English language competence score. It is acceptable to take the TOEFL, IELTS, etc.
- The Purpose Statement
You must write an essay outlining why you are traveling to Canada and why you have picked the specific university while requesting a Canadian Study Permit. Although the checklist would invite you to submit this as an optional document, we highly advise against it.
- Credit Card
If you are submitting your application online, you will also need a credit card to pay the application cost. Indian students must pay CAD 150 to apply for a visa to study in Canada. As a reminder, debit cards are not accepted by the system; only credit cards are. It’s not required that it be your credit card, either. If you have express permission to do so, you may also use your parent’s credit or debit cards.
In addition to the aforementioned, a digital scanner is a need if you are applying online. The above-mentioned documents must all be in true copies if you are applying offline. It is significant to remember that you will need to download a few documents, complete them, print them, sign them, and then upload them in order to submit your online application. As a result, arrangements must be made to make the scanner available. You can upload a high-resolution digital image using the system as well. However, instead of a camera, we advise a scanner.
Additional documents might be asked by the interviewer during the in-person discussion. These could be proof of financial or academic standing documents. They might consist of:
Transcripts, degrees, diplomas, or certificates from the institutions you attended
results from exams like the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
Upon completion of the term of study, it is your intention to leave Canada.
How you intend to cover the expenditures of living, schooling, and travel
How to Apply for a Canadian Student Visa
Applying for a student visa to Canada is as simple as following the steps listed below.
Check the turnaround times: If you are applying for a visa from outside Canada, the processing time is 9 weeks; if you are applying from within Canada, the processing time is 4 weeks. It is wise to visit the website of the Canadian consulate to follow the progress of your application and learn the precise amount of time needed to complete the student visa.
Choose your application strategy: There are two methods of applying:
(a) Fill out an online application: To apply online, you must have access to a scanner or camera to make electronic copies of your documents that you may upload, as well as a valid credit card to pay for the application. At the local Visa Application Center, you will still be asked to provide a finger scan (VAC). Keep in mind that if you submitted an online application, you would also need to provide your passports and the receipt for your fee payment at the VFS offices. The only difference in the procedures would be the paperwork you would need to bring to the VAC.
(b) Fill out an application on paper: Download the application kit and go over the instructions. The application requirements and relevant study permit information are also provided in the instruction manual. Utilize the document checklist and read the instructions carefully. Only under the following two circumstances is it possible to apply on paper:
If your impairment prohibits you from applying online
If you possess a passport or other travel authorization for a refugee, stateless, or non-citizen
(c) At the point of entry: A port of entry may also be subject to the following:
Citizens of Ukraine (or their family members)
State citizen
The Permanent Resident is S. (or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.)
a citizen of Greenland
Living in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
The VFS Consent Form should be completed and submitted with your application. To obtain VFS services’ support with your visa application, you must fill out this form.
Pay the processing fee: It should be noted that visa fees must be paid in addition to VFS Global service fees when submitting an application via the VFS, in person, or by mail. The processing charge is never refundable.
You will be required to pay the necessary processing fees for your spouse/common-law partner, children, and/or dependents if you are applying for temporary residence visas, work permits, or study permits on their behalf.
Send in your application and any accompanying paperwork: You must go to the closest VFS office. Once there, pay the service fees and present your finished application to receive a receipt. You can track the status of your application online using the unique tracking number that is contained in this receipt.
If your application is accepted, the Government of Canada will contact you and ask for your passport. You have two options for submitting your documents: in person or via VFS. A Temporary Resident Visa and a Letter of Introduction would be sent to you.
Student visa costs in Canada
According to the CIC website, a study permit for Canada costs CAD 150, or approximately INR 9,049 at the time of writing. Since the exchange rate fluctuates, we encourage you to double-check it while applying for your visa.
Applications for Canadian visas are accessible online and offline. The fees for processing visas can be paid in cash at the VAC, with a demand draft if paying at the Canadian High Commission, or online (with a credit card). The application fee must be paid at the time of submission, or a fee receipt for an online payment must be given. It is necessary to draw out the Demand Draft in Indian rupees, payable to the Canadian High Commission. Only cash is accepted at VACs.
Additionally, the indicated visa fee does not include VAC service fees. The additional service fees that apply to your area must be paid by you. Each money received will also be accompanied by a receipt. As proof of payment, kindly save the receipt.
Students must pay an additional CAD 85 for their biometrics after submitting their visa applications. Along with the standard visa fee, applicants must also submit this charge. Your biometrics will then be collected at a visa application center.
Processing Period for the Canada Student Visa
Processing time is the amount of time the CIC needs to complete a visa application. Up to the day of the final decision, it begins when the applicant submits the application. As a result, no time frame is specified for processing a Canada student visa application. Normally, it takes 12 weeks. Through their MyCIC accounts, applicants can check the status of their applications, both online and on print.
Renewed study permit
Students must have an active study permission to remain in Canada. In the event that your study permit expires prior to the conclusion of your course of study (program), you must apply for a renewal. You must to submit your application at least 30 days before your current permission expires. Applications for candidates can be submitted online or by mail.
Dependents
Full-time students on a Dependent visa may be accompanied by their spouses. Simply demonstrating that sufficient finances are available for their support will do. If they stay for a year or more, spouses may also work full-time.
Occasionally, if you’re coming to Canada with your spouse or common-law partner, you can apply for an open work permit. If you arrive in Canada with an open work permit, you are free to accept any employment. To apply for your work visa, you don’t need a job offer or a favorable labor market impact analysis.
Addresses for Canadian Consulates and Embassy 1 High Commission of Canada, New Delhi
India, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 7/8 Shantipath
Phone: 011-4178 2000
- Canadian Consulate General World Trade Center, 22nd Floor, 26/1 Dr. Rajkumar Road, Malleshwaram West, Yeshwantpur Bengaluru, 560055
- Canadian General Consulate
Sector 17A, SCO# 54-56, Chandigarh, India 160 017
The fourth Canadian Consulate General
Senapati Bapat Marg Elphinstone Road (West) Mumbai 400013, Indiabulls Finance Centre, 21st floor
- New Delhi in the VFS Center Addresses
Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi, 110001; VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Shivaji Stadium Metro Station
Pune, India
India: Fagun Towers, Second floor, No. 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai 600008; Canada Visa Application Center VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.
(3) Mumbai
Application Center for Canadian Visas
Mumbai, India (40005), VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Trade Centre 5th Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East)
No. 4 Kolkata
Rene Tower, Building No. 1842, Rajdanga Main Road, Rajdanga, Landmark: Near Geetanjali Stadium Kolkata, 700107, India, Canada Visa Application Center VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.
Canadian educational scholarships
Even though Canada is one of the most popular study abroad countries for international students, some cannot afford to attend school here. For those who require financial assistance to continue their studies in Canada, we have included some of the most well-known scholarships.
