Canada Student Visa Requirements – Are you a student with the mindset of having a degree from Candan and you don’t know how to go about it? If yes then this post is for you. In this article, we will be summarizing the steps on ‘How to Get a Student Visa for Canada in 2023’.
Canada is one of the best destination countries for international students who choose to study at Canadian universities, this is because the Government intends on inviting over 1.2 million new immigrants to join the Canadian community by 2023.
In addition, Canada also provides numerous possibilities. Research, scientific publications, and international collaborations are three of the main aspects that Canada and its academic institutions focus on.
If you are one of those asking how difficult is it to get Canada student visa (Canadian study permit)? Profounding answers to this question will play a crucial role when you decide where you want to study. So, how difficult is it to get your student visa for Canada?
Let’s find out together!
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Canada for Student Visa Form 2023 – How to Get a Student Visa
Below are the steps you need to take to get a Canada student visa.
Step 1 – Apply to a Canadian university and get your acceptance letter
This is the first successful student visa in Canada. The first thing you need to ask yourself is what university you want to study in Canada. It is very important you decide before you can start your Canada student visa application process. After successfully being accepted at a Canadian university, ensure you get an acceptance letter required for the visa application.
We recommended the following Canadian universities:
- Seneca College
- Brock University
- University of Regina
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- Mount Allison University
Step 2 – Check if you need to apply for a student visa in Canada
The next step is to check if you need to apply for a student visa in Canada. In this stage, you can use the official Canadian study permit tool to find out if you need a study visa or permit.
If one of the following situations applies to you, you don’t need a study visa.
- You are a family or staff member of a foreign representative in Canada, who is accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
- You enrol in a study programme that lasts less than six months.
- You are a member of foreign armed forces from the Visiting Forces Act.
- You are a citizen of another country, but you have an Indian status registered in Canada.
Note: The study permit/visa does not act as a regular visa, which allows you to enter or travel to Canada. For that, you’ll need a travel visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Step 3. Start your application for the Canadian student visa
This step is very important if you recall in step 1 where you needed to apply for a Canadian university and get your acceptance letter. Now that you have your acceptance letter from the university, it is time to proceed to the next step: applying for a student visa, which is locally known as a study permit.
The first steps to obtaining your student visa:
- Apply online for your Canadian student visa, on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website before you arrive in Canada.
- If you have a limited internet connection or cannot submit the documents online, send the visa application documents by post.
- Provide an acceptance letter from a university recognized by the Canadian government.
- Deliver proof of sufficient financial resources to support your studies in Canada (tuition fees and living expenses).
- Present proof confirming you have no criminal record.
- Submit clinical records that state you are in good health; submit complete medical examinations if required.
According to new visa regulations, if you have a family member applying for a work permit or working in Canada, the application for your study permit (Student Visa) will be processed in two weeks. You may renew or extend your study permit based on the following:
- If you wish to continue your studies
- If your programme has an extension
- If you change your university
After your studies are finished your Canada study permit expires in 90 days (i.e. when you receive a notification of the programme completion). You can still stay in Canada to explore or apply for a work permit, which allows you to take a full time or part-time job, or even be self-employed.
Important tip: Please ensure to check out if your home country is on the list of biometrics requests for the study permit application.
Step 4 – Prepare all required documents for the student visa in Canada
Now that you have started your application for the Canadian student visa, you need to prepare all required documents for the student visa.
The first steps in preparing your document are as follows;
- The original letter of acceptance from the university
- Filled-in student permit application form
- Two recent passport-size photographs, with specifications of name and date of birth on the back
- A letter of intent
- A valid passport/travel document, also allows you to return to your home country. If you live in the USA, this is not necessary.
- Proof of financial support during your study programme. This means proving you have between 10,000 and 11,000 CAD per year for living in the country.
- If you plan to study in Quebec, you will also need a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, English and French translations of your document, a statement from the translator and a certified copy of the original documents
- Proof that you paid the study permit fee (150 CAD)
Step 5 – Language requirements for studying in Canada
If you come from an English-speaking country, Canadian universities will require you to submit proof of English language proficiency. Please note that proof of English language skills is not included on the list of required documents for a Canadian student visa.
Accepted language tests include:
Step 6 – Biometrics appointment and interview
At this stage, you might have to show up at a Visa Application Centre in your country to have your biometrics taken. This is depending on your nationality. The biometrics fee is 85 CAD. This fee is in addition to the regular visa application fee. Meanwhile, some countries are exempt from this biometrics requirement, so their citizens won’t need to visit an application centre at all.
The same is for interviews, depending on your individual situation; you might also be called for an interview. Some local visa application centres will charge a small fee for using their services.
Step 7 – How long does it take to receive the Canadian study permit?
Now that you have applied for your Canadian study permit, you may be asking how long it takes. Well, the processing time may take up to 90 days, but it’s usually faster. This also depends on the situation in your home country.
If you which to make it faster you can use the Student Direct Stream to get the study permit. Fees start at 150 CAD and the processing time is usually around 20 calendar days. The Student Direct Stream is only available for students from the following countries:
- China
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- The Philippines
- Senegal
- Vietnam
If you wish to know more you can find more up-to-date information about the Canada Student Visa Requirements 2023 on the official student visa page of the Canadian government.
For further inquiries and on how to apply for Canada Student Visa kindly contact us
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