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Canada is renowned not only as a captivating tourist destination but also as an appealing educational hub for students worldwide. Boasting a highly developed infrastructure and exceptional teaching methodologies, Canada offers esteemed degrees that attract numerous individuals aspiring to enroll in Canadian primary, secondary, undergraduate, or graduate programs. However, to embark on this educational journey, students must secure a study visa and study permit.
What is a Canada Student Visa?
A Canada Student Visa permits individuals to commence their studies in Canada. Functioning similarly to a Canada Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTa), this visa necessitates a study permit in addition to either a visitor visa or eTA. Essentially, the Canada student visa combines the requirements of a visitor visa/eTA with those of a study permit.
Restricted to Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), the Canada study visa enables students to initiate their academic pursuits at authorized educational establishments. The study permit facilitates their stay in Canada for the duration of their program, potentially allowing them to work during enrollment or after graduation. However, adherence to specific conditions such as continuous enrollment in a DLI and compliance with visa requirements is mandatory to maintain the study visa’s validity.
What is a Designated Learning Institution?
DLIs, approved by provincial or territorial governments, exclusively accommodate international students eligible for a Canada student visa. While all primary and secondary schools in Canada automatically qualify as DLIs, prospective students should verify the DLI status of universities or educational institutions before applying to ensure eligibility.
Who Needs a Canadian Study Permit?
International students requiring a visitor visa or eTA to enter Canada must obtain a study permit alongside their respective visas. Nevertheless, certain exceptions exist for specific groups, including individuals enrolled in short-term programs, family members of accredited foreign representatives, and members of foreign armed forces in Canada.
Do I Qualify for a Canada Student Visa?
Eligibility for a Canada Student Visa necessitates meeting various conditions, including possessing an acceptance letter from a DLI, demonstrating financial stability, maintaining a clean criminal record, and providing requisite documentation such as passport scans, travel history, and proof of enrollment fees payment.
Canada Student Visa Requirements
Apart from completing application forms, applicants must submit supporting documents such as court and police certificates, medical examinations, proof of financial capability, and a letter of explanation elucidating their intent and obligations as students in Canada.
When you complete the forms, you will also have to submit the following supporting documents:
- Your passport scan to prove that it is valid.
- Your travel history, meaning your whole passport scanned to also prove that you have blank pages in it.
- Letters from the court and police in your country to prove you have a clean criminal record;
- A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a visa and study permit.
- Two photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements.
- Medical examinations.
- Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas.
- Proof that you can cover the expenses of studying in Canada (tuition and living costs) through one of the following:
- You must have proof of a Canadian bank account that is in your name;
- You must have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) issued by a Canadian financial institution.
- You must have proof that you have taken a student loan from a bank.
- You must have bank statements for at least the past 4 months.
- You must have proof that you have already paid your tuition and housing fees.
- You must have a letter from a person or institution giving you money.
- You must have proof that you have a scholarship.
- If you are going to study in Quebec, then you will also need to submit a Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) which is issued by the Quebec government. You will get the instructions from your school on how to apply for a CAQ.
- You must submit a letter of explanation saying why you want to study in Canada and guaranteeing that you accept and understand your responsibilities as a student in Canada.
- If a minor is going to Canada to study and need a custodian that is not a parent of the minor, then you also need to submit a Custodian Declaration Form which states who the custodian of the child is and must be signed by the parents or legal guardians of the child.
- If you are applying for the first time, then a document number on the study permit that is called a Unique Client Identifier (UCI) is not required for you. If you have applied for a study permit before, you are required to write your study permit document number which you can find in any letters that have been sent to you by the Canadian Government.
- If your family members (spouse or common law partner and minor children) are also accompanying you, you must also have the application forms ready for them and apply together as a family.
All the documents must be translated into English or French and you must have certifications and proof that the translation is correct. Once you submit all the documents, you can then proceed to submit the application and pay the fees.
What are the Minimum Financial Requirements for a Canada Study Visa?
To be able to get a student visa or study permit, you must have enough funds to cover your tuition fee and living costs in Canada. If you have family members accompanying you, then you will also need additional funds. There are two types of fund requirements for students:
- Students studying outside of Quebec
- Students studying in Quebec
Students studying outside of Quebec must have these funds to prove they can cover their studies in Canada:
| Persons coming to Canada | Amount of funds required per year (in addition to the tuition) | Amount of funds required per month (in addition to the tuition) |
| You (Student) | $10,000 | $833 |
| First family member | $4,000 | $333 |
| Every additional family member accompanying you | $3,000 | $255 |
Students studying in Quebec must have these funds to prove they can cover their studies in Canada:
| Persons coming to Canada | Amount of funds required per year (in addition to the tuition) | Amount of funds required per month (in addition to the tuition) |
| You (Student) | $11,000 | $917 |
| First family member (18 years old or older) | $5,100 | $425 |
| First family member (under 18 years old) | $3,800 | $317 |
| Every additional family member accompanying you (18 years or older) | $5,125 | $427 |
| Every additional family member accompanying you (under 18 years old) | $1,903 | $159 |
How to Apply for a Canada Student Visa?
Applying for a Canada Student Visa mandates online registration, document preparation, form completion, fee payment, and submission of the application via the immigration website. Depending on individual circumstances, applicants can also opt for in-person application methods or apply at the port of entry under specific conditions.
What is the Cost of the Canada Student Visa?
Applicants must pay application fees per person, including study permit and biometric fees, with additional charges applicable for family members. The fees are non-refundable and must be paid before submitting the application.
How long is the Canadian Student Visa valid?
A Canadian student visa remains valid for the duration of the study program plus an additional 90 days to facilitate departure or permit visa extension. Students must provide proof of program completion to determine the additional 90-day validity period.
Can I Change Schools With a Canada Student Visa?
Students can change schools within specific conditions and educational levels, necessitating a study permit amendment. However, certain situations do not require notifying the Canadian Government, such as changing schools within the same educational level or program continuity within the same institution.
Can my Family Members Accompany me to Canada?
Close family members can accompany students to Canada, requiring their own visitor visas. Applications can be submitted together to ensure family cohesion during the student’s academic tenure.
Can I Work while on a Student Visa?
Students can engage in on-campus work, internships, or off-campus work within specific parameters outlined by the Canadian Government. Each employment option entails distinct requirements and conditions, necessitating compliance to prevent visa violations.
Can I Work After I Complete my Studies?
Upon program completion, students may pursue employment opportunities in Canada, facilitated by a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) contingent on the duration of their study program.
Canada’s student visa and study permit system offer a gateway to quality education and diverse opportunities, attracting students from across the globe seeking academic excellence and professional growth.
