For international students who dreams of furthering their education in Canada, this is the Canada Student visa requirements and the application guide.
Canada has over the years become the booming hub for international education for their outstanding education with professional educators, a peaceful and a welcoming environment attracting students from different cultural and religious background to study in the country.
The country has seen students from the world like Ghana, Nigeria, India, United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Pakistan, Zambia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Philippines, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Hungary, France, Qatar, Hyderabad and many more who are scattered the various regions from the both the English and French side of the country for their higher educations.
Students planning to take advantage of the prestigious educational institutions in Canada should simply meet the Canadian student visa requirements and follow the simple application steps for a successful visa approval.
Does Canada give student visa easily?
Though Canada has become a favorite study destination to most international students for the simple application process of the student visa, however, the acquisition of the student visa can be a formidable hurdle to most applicants.
But most importantly, getting an offer of admission letter from an educational institution from Canada makes the process easier when the applicant meets the supporting documentations.
To ensure your Canadian student visa application gets approved and you experience a smooth process, the required documents for the application must be met and submitted accordingly.
What are the requirements for student visa in Canada?
- Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution
To apply for a Canadian study permit which will enable a foreign citizen to study in Canada, a Letter of acceptance from an accredited educational institution or the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada will have to obtain before applying for the visa.
DLIs are institutions that are permitted by provincial or territorial governments to host international students, and while that seems very official and bureaucratic, they cover a significant number of the main post-secondary institutions in Canada, that your intended institution may well be on the list. Here’s a list of DLIs by province so you can make sure your dream college or university can take you on.
The Letter of Acceptance to study in Canada is an official confirmation that you have a place to study in Canada. It lists your student information, program and institution details, expected timeline of study, tuition fees and scholarship or financial aid information, any conditions related to your acceptance or registration (such as language competence), and other details.
While you’re waiting for your acceptance to your intended university or college in Canada, it’s a good idea to start gathering the other documents you will need to submit your Canada study permit application. By doing so, you’ll be well prepared to submit as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance to study in Canada.
- Valid Passport
A valid passport valid issued the applicant’s home country will have to be attached. The passport is a mandatory document in the document requirement as it is the passport that will contain the visa or the study permit in it. Therefore, the passport must have a blank page at the visa section and also valid for the period of the study duration.
Ghanaian citizens can read further on passport application guide here.
- Proof of Funds
The applicant will be required to demonstrate proof of sufficient funds to support their studies in Canada.
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. The Canadian Immigration deems a student would require at least CAD 10,000 for every year of your stay.
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Apart from the above two, the student would also have to prove that he or she has enough funds for a return fair as well and also a receipt of payment of the tuition fee while applying for the visa.
For sponsored students, a financial statements and an official letter from the person sponsoring the education will be required. The letter should state how the money will be disbursed into the student’s account while overseas.
- Passport Size Photographs
Both paper and online applications, a recent captured passport-sized photograph of the applicant note exceeding six (6) months will be required to attach the application.
For an online application, you must submit a digital copy of the photograph which should not be more than 4MB. Other requirements are standard about neutral facial expression, plain background as well as no headgear (unless for religious purposes) and size of the image should be at least 35 mm x 45 mm.
- Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
The medical requirement is another crucial part of the application documents. Ensuring the safety of the health of the Canadian citizens, the Canadian Immigration require the applicant to meet their health requirements by conducting a medical examination with their approved or designated hospitals in the applicant’s home country.
Student applicants 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.
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.
List of the approved physicians in the applicant’s home country can be found here.
- English Language Proficiency Exam Score
Student applicants who are citizens of countries, whose medium of instructions are in English are mostly not required to provide an English language proficiency, however, it be required with some institutions.
As part of the preparation to study in Canada, international students may have to sit an approved English language test for academic purposes. Before you register for an English language test, make sure that the academic institution you are applying to accepts the test.
The IELTS academic test is one of the most popular tests chosen by international students and accepted by over 400 Canadian universities and colleges. The majority of educational institutions require that the final results be sent to them directly by the testing service. You can take your test at one of the IELTS official test centres in your country or online.
- Statement of Purpose
When applying for a Canadian Study Permit, the applicant need to submit an essay stating the purpose of their trip to Canada and why they have chosen have the particular institution. This additional document is an optional document in the checklist but i strongly recommend that you add them to the required documents.
- Credit Card
The credit card is the financial card of the applicant that would be use during the online application to make payment of the visa fee. The visa fee cost around CAD. 160.00. The card specifically should be in the name of the applicant but can also be paid on someone else’ behalf.
- Other Supporting documents
Here the applicant will have to attach all relevant academic certificates and supporting documents to the visa documents for submission.
How to Apply for a Canadian Visa for Study
The Canadian visa application is categorized into the paper application and the online application. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there was suspension on the paper application but on all the two, I will provide the guide. This is the step by step procedures for the visa application.
Paper application
- Download the application documents from the official website of the CIC or through the VFS Global website and read the instruction guide. The instruction guide contains important information about study permits and instructions to help you complete your application. Read the guide carefully and use the document checklist.
- Fill out the VFS Consent Form and attach it with your application form. You need this form to get the assistance of VFS services for your visa filing process.
- Pay the processing fee – Note that when submitting an application via the VFS, in person or by mail, visa fees must be paid in addition to VFS Global service charges. The processing fee is non-refundable in all cases.
- Submit your application and supporting documents – You have to visit the nearest VFS office. Once you are there, pay the service charges and hand them your complete application to obtain a receipt. This receipt contains your unique tracking number which you will need to track the progress of your application online.
Online submission
- Scan all your documents
- Open the official website of the CIC and begin to upload your documents.
- Use your credit card to make payment of the visa fees.
- A letter will be issued for biometric data capture.
- Book an appointment for the medical examination
- Wait for the final decision of the embassy. There is no interview involve with the Canadian visa application.
Applicants traveling with their spouse and minors will make separate application for each of them with a separate visa fees.
Generally, the processing time of the visa application should take a duration of between 3 to 4 weeks. In case your application is approved you will receive notification from the Government of Canada requesting your passport.
You can submit the passport and passport request letter in person or through VFS. You would be provided with a Temporary Resident Visa and a Letter of Introduction.
How long is student visa in Canada?
Study permit or the student visa is valid till the duration of the course. Some can have 3 years, 5 years and 10 years gap visa grant.
After the completion of the course, the applicant have maximum up to 90 days to leave the country. While studying under the student visa, the student may be eligible to apply for some hours of work to support him or herself.
The student is to comply with the rules attached to the visa, as breaking them may result to deportation and other punitive action.
Also read.. How To Apply For Tourist Visa To Canada
Thank you for reading and good luck on your application.
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