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Canada Study Visa : Apply In 6 Simple Steps

Applying for a study visa in Canada is not an easy task. It involves several steps and the process can be very time-consuming.

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A lot of students who apply for this visa end up frustrated because they are unable to complete their application on time, or even worse, they don’t get approved at all. Luckily, we have simplified the entire process by creating a step-by-step guide that will help you through every stage of your application.

What is a Canada Study Visa?

A Canada study visa allows you to travel to and study in Canada. This visa also allows you to work part-time to bear your expenses, and qualify for student facilities.

According to The Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2022, Canada is home to 30 of the world’s top 500 universities. The number of international students opting to study in Canada keeps growing every year. A sizable number of these students stay back in Canada after finishing their studies.

Canada’s universities and community colleges provide some of the best international study programs alongside the best research facilities for foreign students. Canada should be at the top of your list if you are planning to study abroad.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Intakes in Canadian Universities

The fall, winter, and summer are the three academic intakes at the institutions in Canada.

  • Fall – Lasts from September to December.
  • Winter – Lasts from January to April.
  • Summer – Lasts from May to August.

Top Universities in Canada





 

Top Canadian University Rankings

Canada RankGlobal RankName of University
129University of Toronto
235McGill University
351University of British Columbia
4113University of Alberta
5137Université de Montréal
6140McMaster University
7173University of Waterloo
8211Western University
9233University of Calgary
10239Queen’s University

 

 

Eligibility for a Canada Study Visa

The eligibility criteria for obtaining a Canadian study permit are listed below.

  • You are enrolled at a designated learning institution in Canada.
  • You can have enough money to pay for tuition fees, living expenses, for yourself and your family, and pay for return transportation for yourself and your family to your home country.
  • You obey the law, have no criminal record, and can obtain a police certificate if required.
  • You are in good health and are willing to undergo a medical examination if required.
  • You can prove to the visa officer that you will leave Canada on the expiry of your study permit.

 

 

Documentation Required for a Canadian Student Visa

The following documents are required:

  1. Proof of acceptance 
  2. Proof of identity 
  3. Proof of financial support
  4. Statement of Purpose
  5. A custodian declaration (for minors)

Documents must be scanned and uploaded. Later, you need to carry the original documents to your visa interview, if you are called for one. It is important to make sure the documents are valid and in order. Kansas can help you with this.

 

 

Application Process for Canada Study Visa

Step1: Research to know what’s best for you

It is compulsory for all foreign students to obtain a student authority and visa before migrating to study in Canada. Understand what course fits your career goals the best, the cost of living, visa costs, internships and placement opportunities, and other factors to make an informed decision. 

As this requires a lot of research, seeking an expert for help is your best bet. Professionals can guide you through this process in ease and avoid future regrets.

Browse the website of the shortlisted colleges/Universities and choose the ones that best match your expectation in terms of quality of education, ranking, programme structure, programme fee and other facilities for international students. You can also call them up or visit their social communities and have your questions answered.

International students should verify that the desired institution is a DLI( Designated Learning Institution). Only universities on this list are considered for a study permit. In the absence of a study permit, you cannot get a visa. For a full list of all DLIs by province, please refer to the Designated Learning Institution List.

International students are required to pursue studies at a DLI as this status is required to get entry into the country.

There are 7 entrance exams for immigration to Canada. The ones you need to take depend on the program you plan on pursuing.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL : This is a language test. It measures how well you speak English and your adaptability to the country. It is an easy exam that you should clear if you have basic knowledge of the language. However, do not underestimate this exam. High scores will increase your chances of being selected and may also help you receive entrance scholarships from universities. It is always best to show a foreign country that you are adept at the language they speak in.
  • Graduate Record Exam Graduate Record Exam (GRE): This is an exam that tests graduate program students on their quantitative and analytical skills. This test measures how well a foriegn student would be able to keep with university courses. A high score on this exam could go a long way.
  • SAT: This is a very common standardized test. It is mainly administered in the US but there are prestigious universities in Canada that require you to take this test. Your test results can be sent directly to a few universities of your choice for no cost at all. SATs take a lot of preparation, and it is best to take them seriously.
  • Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT): This is a test that graduate students looking to pursue management programs need to take. MBAs need GMAT scores. It tests your quantitative, verbal and reasoning skills. It is a computer-based exam. You can take them upto five times every year. 
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): This test is very similar to the IELTS exam. You can take either exam to prove your  language skills. Just like the IELTS, it is im

Living in a foreign country can be expensive, especially when you factor in the exchange rate. There is rent, tuition fees and several expenses that can add up in the long run. You need to have a solid financial plan, and cannot depend on funding it with a part-time job when you get there. 

The government needs to see that you have sufficient funds in your account for them to move forward with your application. Therefore make sure you have evidence that you have the funds, be it a bank statement or an accepted loan application.

Apply to the universities well before the deadline to avoid unwarranted mistakes. Speaking to university delegates is a great idea, as they can help you out with information that you may not find on their websites. Canadian universities are very intuitive and applying is easy. However, to know how to make your application stand out, contact us. 

Once a prospective student has selected a Canadian university or college, he or she may refer to that institution’s website or contact the office of admissions for information on how to apply. Many institutions receive applications electronically online. 

In general, an applicant may receive a decision on an application within four to six months after the application deadline. Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Acceptance, which may be used in the

The Letter of Acceptance is mandatory in the application for a Canada study permit. To obtain a Letter of Acceptance, a potential student may first submit an application to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). If he or she is successful, the institution may issue a Letter of Acceptance.

The universities will email you acceptance letters when you get in. You must respond to your desired university within a stipulated period of time. Once you have accepted their offer, there are several things to take care of. If there are scholarships that you have in mind, now would be the time to apply to them. 

You also need to apply for your study permit and find a place to live. If choosing to live in university dorms, applying early is advisable as they fill up fast. It is also important to keep track of dates, so that you know exactly when to make your way to Canada. 

The country does not entertain students coming in earlier than required for their courses, and you will be sent back. You also do not want to arrive too late, and miss important events like orientation.

Once you get admission confirmation done, you can apply for your student visa. It is important to do this at the earliest. You will not be able to travel to Canada without one even if your session has started. This is also why it is important to apply for your study permit as this enables you to apply for your visa. There is also a question of not getting through your interview the very first time, so make sure you start procedure well before your program start date.

Costs Involved for a Canadian Student Visa

  • Cost of living
  • Cost of Application
  • Cost of Tuition

The Canadian student visa requirements state that you must have $10,000 CAD or above to study in Canada and $11,000 CAD in Quebec, on top of tuition fees.

Living costs in Canada depend on your spending habits and location. Living in large cities is generally more expensive.

Processing Time for a Canadian Student Visa

Your Canada Student Visa can take up to a maximum of 45 business days as per new guidelines issued under the SDS program.

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Other Important FAQs

1. Is it Difficult to Get a Canada Student Visa?

There is a rise in rejection with an increase in the number of student visa applications. On average, about 39% of total study permit visas are rejected each year. Several factors influence the steep rise in Canadian student visa rejection.

There are a multitude of opportunities for international students to apply for permanent residency after studying in Canada. Spearheaded by the Federal Express Entry system, there is a wide network of immigration programs offering citizenship Canada :

  • The Atlantic Immigration Pilot has a specific stream for international graduates.
  • With three streams at different levels of graduates, Ontario, the largest province in Canada leads the way among the provincial nominee programs.
  • When the PR candidate has an advanced level knowledge of French, Quebec’s international graduate stream will not require a job offer.
  • Specific international graduate streams are also available for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.
  • PR provision for international graduates is available under the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

Other provinces are offering a window of up to three years to hold a post graduation work permit for gaining the required work experience to qualify for Canadian permanent residence.

Most common reasons for rejection of Canada Student Visa include –

  • Financial insufficiency for studying in Canada.
  • The chosen study program fails to align with the applicant’s academic or employment background.
  • Issues with the applicant’s Letter of Acceptance from the Canadian institution 
  • Non-native, English-speaking international students failing to submit the required proof of language proficiency when required
  • Lack of supporting evidence in your travel history or identity documents 
  • Lack of intent to return to the home country as the study permit is a temporary visa 
  • Lack of job opportunities in the home country is another indication that the applicant is intending to settle in Canada. The choice of your study program should not cast such doubts.

You must abide by these while studying in Canada :

  • Ensure progress with your study program.
  • Respect all conditions listed on your study permit.
  • Stop studying when you no longer meet the requirements.
  • Prepare to leave Canada at the expiry of your study permit.

Prospective international students can study either French or English as a second language in Canada. The programs are of good quality, as can be seen on the Languages Canada website. This organization provides a quality assessment of the language schools across Canada and offers lists of approved programs and members.

The immigration officer examining an application for a study permit renewal has the right to request proof that the applicant has met the requirements of the original study permit. This may manifest as a letter from the institution clarifying that the student has been actively pursuing his or her studies.A second Letter of Acceptance is not generally required for the renewal of a study permit.

As an international student in Canada, you can work for 20 hours every week during session, and full-time on breaks.

In order to be eligible to work off-campus during his or her studies, an international student must:

  • hold a valid study permit;
  • be studying full-time at a (Visit our dedicated page for a comprehensive Designated Learning Institution (DLI) List);
  • have satisfactory academic standing as determined by their institution;
  • be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least six months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
  • have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

If an international student’s situation changes and he or she no longer meets any of 

In order to be eligible to work off-campus during his or her studies, an international student must:

  • hold a valid study permit;
  • be studying full-time at a (Visit our dedicated page for a comprehensive Designated Learning Institution (DLI) List);
  • have satisfactory academic standing as determined by their institution;
  • be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least six months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
  • have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

If an international student’s situation changes and he or she no longer meets any of 

Sometimes a student who is no longer studying full-time may be able to continue working off-campus if he/she is now studying part-time because it is the last semester of his or her study program and a full-time course schedule is no longer required to complete the program of study.