Canada is one of the greatest destinations to study abroad. These esteemed colleges can assist you in reaching your educational objectives. Its incredibly high standard of living will also be experienced by you, making you want to never settle for anything less. While Canada offers a wealth of professional alternatives, it also prioritizes your future, even though its stunning surroundings may encourage you to live in the now. So, be sure to go over the required documentation and learn how to get a student visa for Canada.
What paperwork is required in order to apply for a Canadian student visa?
When you submit an application for a student permit in Canada, you should be prepared for the following:
- Acceptance letter from the host institution (electronic or original)
- A legitimate travel document or passport
- Two passport-sized photos taken recently, with your name and date of birth at the back
- Proof of funds
- Letter of explanation
For the proof of funds, you can prepare any of the following:
- An account at a Canadian bank on your name
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian
- financial institution involved in the program
- Evidence of your training or student loans
- Four months’ worth of bank statements
- Convertible bank draft to Canadian dollars
- Evidence of paid housing and tuition
- Evidence of sponsorship or scholarship
If you include a letter explaining your academic goals, your visa officer might be able to understand them more clearly. To do this, you may include a statement outlining your reasons for wanting to study in Canada along with your awareness of and cognizance of your academic responsibilities.
What is the required amount of money for a student visa to Canada?
The $150 study permit is required. You’ll also get a visa after you’re accepted, which will let you enter the nation. But you need to provide evidence of your financial stability when you apply for a student visa to Canada. You’ll need to budget at least $7,900 a year for this, not counting tuition. This sum is only applicable if you wish to stay outside of Quebec. In order to study in Quebec, you must earn at least $8,700 annually, not including tuition. This sum will take care of all of your living expenses. An average monthly budget is shown here to help you get started:
- Accommodation – $200 to $790 depending on the housing type
- Basic utilities- $120
- Internet $40 to $55
- Food: $240
- Transportation: $70
The cost of a bachelor’s degree can vary from $434 to $23,700. In contrast, master’s degrees range in price from $850 to $51,300 each academic year.
How to File a Student Visa Application in Canada
You may apply for a student permit in Canada using these processes. Remember that a permit is different from a visa, which allows you to enter the country. If, however, your application for a student permit is approved, Canada will also grant you a temporary visa so you can travel to the country.
1. Choose a Canadian University and Apply
You must first apply to a Canadian university in order to be eligible to apply for a student visa and permission in Canada. The university needs to be one of the nation’s designated learning institutions, or DLIs. You cannot apply for a student permit in any other way. To find out if your preferred university is one of them, look through this list of DLIs.
An acceptance letter is one of the essential prerequisites. An unconditional acceptance letter in hard copy or electronic format should ideally be sent to you.
You will have to complete a necessary course if you are accepted conditionally. This could entail learning French or English as a second language. You must finish your prerequisite course before you may begin your major academic programme.
If you are accepted conditionally, be aware that Canada can only grant you a study permit for the length of your required course plus an extra year. If you want to stay in the nation longer, you’ll have to apply for another student permit.
2. Complete Supporting Documents
In addition to the documents mentioned below, be sure to inquire about any additional requirements you may need from the Canadian mission in your nation. To find out whatever paperwork and procedures apply in your country of origin, click this page.
Make sure you have a scanner or camera ready to create electronic copies of your documentation before submitting your online application for a Canadian student visa. These must be uploaded via the web application platform.
Start Your Online Application
The online application process differs depending on your country of origin. For example, applications submitted through the Student Direct Stream are only accepted from a select group of countries, such as China, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam. This stream offers a quicker way to apply for a visa and student permit in Canada, but if you come from one of the countries that isn’t eligible, you will need to use the regular online application process. To begin the application process, you must create an IRCC account by clicking this link. Once your account is created, you must upload the necessary files and pay for your application using your account.
4. Check if You Need to Give Your Biometrics
Your application may require providing your biometrics, depending on the nation from which you are applying. If you have to follow this, check it out here. When submitting your online application for a student visa to Canada, you will be required to pay the biometrics charge. A letter outlining the process for submitting your biometrics will then be sent to you. You will also be required to submit your biometrics at the Visa Application Centre if you want to apply for a visa through them.
5. Wait for Your Application Decision
The processing time varies depending on the type of application, however you may check it here. Nevertheless, the biometrics procedure and the application process between a VAC and the Canadian Immigration Office are not included in the processing period. In a technical sense, it begins only when your application is received by the Immigration office.
The office may get in touch with you to request any missing paperwork or to need you to attend an interview with a consul in a Canadian mission in your nation while you wait for the decision. You may occasionally be required to submit to a police certificate or go through a medical examination.
6. Receive your Letter of Introduction and Temporary Resident Visa
You’ll receive an introduction letter from Canada confirming your eligibility to study there as soon as your study permit has been approved. To be clear, this is not your study permit; this letter is. This letter must be brought into Canada and shown to the border services agent. You won’t receive your study permit for Canada till after that. You will receive your letter of introduction along with documents if your nation requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and a temporary residence visa.
