Canada Student Visa

Canada student visa, also known as a study permit, is an immigration document issued by the Canadian government that allows international students to study in Canada. Obtaining a Canada student visa can be a complex process. However, with the right guidance and preparation, it can open the doors to a world-class education and give various opportunities for personal and professional growth in the country. In this article, we will guide you through applying for a Canada student visa, including Canada student visa requirements, the application process, and post-graduation opportunities.

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Canada Student Visa Types

If you are an Indian student interested in studying in Canada, you will need to apply for a Canada study visa from India. There are several types of Canada student visas available for Indian students, depending on your situation and eligibility criteria.

• Study Permit: This permit allows you to study at Canadian universities for the duration of your program. To be eligible for a Canadian Study Permit, a student must have been accepted to a Canadian educational institution and provide proof of enrollment, as well as proof of financial support and language proficiency.
• Student Direct Stream (SDS) program: This is a faster application process for students who meet certain requirements, such as English or French language proficiency and proof of financial support. The SDS program Canada allows eligible Indian students to receive their study permit in as little as 20 calendar days.
• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ): If you plan to study at Colleges in Quebec, you need a CAQ in addition to a study permit. The CAQ is issued by the government of Quebec and confirms that you meet the province's immigration requirements for studying and living in Quebec.

Canada Student Visa Requirement

To be eligible for a Canada student visa, you must meet certain requirements, including educational requirements, financial requirements, language proficiency requirements, and health and security requirements.

Documents Required for Canada Student Visa

1. Proof of Acceptance: Applicants enrolled at a designated learning institute (DLI) must submit a letter of acceptance along with the application.
2. Proof of Identity: Applicants and family members who are accompanying them must submit the following documents as proof of identity:-
   • A valid passport or travel document.
   • Birth Certificate
3. Passport-size Photographs: You need 2 photographs with a plain background with a neutral expression; preferably giving formal appeal. Also, note that
   • Image size should be around 35 mm x 45mm
   • Image should be recent (no older than 6 months)
   • Name and DOB should be mentioned in the back
4. Proof of Financial Support: It is compulsory for students to be able to afford their expenses while studying in Canada. Applicants can provide various documents as proof of financial support:-
   • Proof of student loan from a bank
   • Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from the participating Canadian financial organization
   • Official bank statements for the past four months
   • Proof of a Canadian bank account in the applicant’s name, if they have transferred money to Canada
   • A letter from the sponsor stating the availability of sufficient funds
   • Applicants who are offered scholarships or are in a Canadian-funded educational program must show proof of funding paid from within Canada
5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)- Canadian Immigration requires international students to undergo a compulsory Immigration Medical Examination from impaneled doctors. Students would have to book an appointment and visit the listed doctors for a medical examination, preferably a week before they start their Visa Application.
6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score- Though not mandatory to have at the time of application, we strongly recommend that you have appeared for and get your English Language Proficiency Score before you start your Canada student visa application process. Check: IELTS Score for Study Permit
7. Statement of Purpose- When applying for a Canadian Study Permit, students are required to submit an essay explaining the purpose/intent of choosing Canada as their study abroad destination and why they chose the particular institution. This is an optional requirement but highly recommended.
8. Credit Card- In case you are making an online application, you'd also require a credit card to pay the application fee. The Visa Application Fee for Indian students for Canada is CAD 150. Please remember that the system only accepts credit cards and not debit cards.
9. Minimum Funds Required for Student Visa Canada- Students applying for a study permit in Canada are required to prove that they have enough funds for a return fare as well. Funds can be proven with the help of the following:

Other Documents

• Letter of Explanation: This letter or SOP for Canada student visa provides insight to the visa officer about the applicant’s goals and aspirations.
• Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ):- Applicants who are planning to study in Quebec will need a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l'Immigration, Diversité et Inclusion (MIDI). Students can get all the information on how to apply for CAQ from the DLI they are enrolled at.

How To Apply for Canada Study Visa

The applicants for a Canada student visa can apply online as well as offline (paper application). By following these steps and providing accurate information, you can increase your chances of obtaining a student visa to study in Canada.

1. Apply for admission: The first step towards obtaining a student visa for Canada is to apply for admission at a designated learning institution (DLI) and pay the tuition fees. Once accepted, you will receive an acceptance letter which is a crucial document for the visa application.
2. Pay the fees: To begin, you will need to pay the application fee of 150 CAD (9,250 INR) and the biometric fee of 85 CAD (5,242 INR).
3. Check if a study permit is required: Depending on your country of origin, you may need to apply for a study permit for Canada. Additionally, you may also need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.
4. Prepare the required documents: You will need to gather all the necessary documents to complete the application, including your acceptance letter, proof of funds, and language proficiency test results. It is important to ensure that you provide accurate and complete information.
5. Purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): International students are required to purchase a GIC worth 10,000 CAD (6.16 lakhs INR) to cover living expenses.
6. Submit the application: Once you have all the necessary documents and have purchased the GIC, you can submit your application online or via paper application.
7. Undertake medical exams: You will need to undergo a medical examination to ensure that you are fit to study in Canada.
8. Schedule biometric appointment and interview: As part of the application process, you will need to schedule a biometric appointment and an interview with a Canadian visa officer.

Canada Student Visa Processing Time

The average processing time for a Canadian visa is about 12 weeks. This time frame may vary based on several factors, including the volume of applications, the complexity of the application, and time of year. As a result, it is usually preferable to apply early so that you have enough time to obtain the student visa. During this time, you can make sure you have all the required documents and complete your application properly.

Canadian Embassy and Consulates Address

In 2022, Canada achieved yet another remarkable milestone by admitting over 550,000 new international students, breaking its own immigration record. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country welcomed an astounding 551,405 international students from 184 countries, marking a historic achievement in the education sector. Indian students constituted the largest group of international students, with over 226,450 visas approved, followed by China with 52,165 student visas approved, while The Philippines ranked third with 23,380 visas approved.

Given below is a graph depicting Canadian Provinces with the most number international students:

Canada Student Visa Rejection

International students seeking a Canada Student Visa fulfilling all the minimum criteria for admissions are usually optimistic about the decision. It is, however, observed that a study permit for Canada may be refused even when the applicant fulfills academic and admission requirements for an institution. Some of the popular reasons for rejection of Canadian student visa by IRCC are listed below:

1. Financial Insufficiency
2. Choice of Program
3. Letter of Acceptance
4. Incomplete Travel or Identity Documents
5. Intent of Return to Home Country
6. Lack of Job Prospects in Home Country 

Applying Against Study Permit Refusal

There is a lack of a speedy and efficient system for appealing against a negative decision taken against the Canada study visa. For applicants whose student visa has been refused, there are three ways to apply against the refusal. These are listed below:

• Request Reconsideration
• Appeal to the Federal Court of Canada
• Submit New Application

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Renewal of Study Visa for Canada Application

If the study permit of an applicant expires before program completion, they are required to apply for the renewal of the visa. The basic process for the same is briefed below:

• Apply for a new student visa at least 30 days before the expiration date
  • Applications can be made online or via mail
• Apply for the extension of TRV.

Students must note that their study permit applications will undergo a detailed review by an immigration officer who will check the authenticity of the information and documentation provided. After this, eligible applicants will receive a letter specifying the date, time, and place for the interview.

If an application is rejected, all the documents will be returned to the applicant along with an explanation of why the application was refused. The study permit for an applicant expires in 90 days of the completion of the program. Applicants who wish to work while studying or pursue part-time jobs in Canada are required to have a work-study visa for Canada.

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