Study VISA for CANADA

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STUDY VISA FOR CANADA

Canada continues to attract a steady volume of students from India. While getting admission to top Universities in Canada requires excellent academic scores, the permission to study is validated by means of a Study Permit. If you wish to take academic, professional, or vocational training at a university, college, or any other educational institution in Canada, you will need a study permit before you enter Canada. This study permit is issued to students when they arrive in Canada. However, to get there, a student must first apply for a Temporary Resident Visa that is provided by the Canadian High Commission and facilitated by the Visa Application Centers. VFS Global Services is the designated VACs for Canadian Visa. 

What is a Canada Study Permit?

A study permit is a document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities that serves as permission for foreign students to study in Canada. International students cannot study in Canada without getting a valid study permit. Apart from this, students who get a study permit are allowed to enroll in Designated Learning Institutions. A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is an educational institution that has received an approval from a provincial or territorial government to host international students.

Getting the Canada Study Visa

You are required to carry the Letter of Introduction along with all the specified documents to Canada. At the airport, you would meet with an Immigration Officer. Present the Passport and the Letter of Introduction to the border control agency officer who would then validate the same and if found adequate, issue you your Study Permit.

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Student Visa

You can apply for a Canada Study Visa if you fulfill the following criteria:

  • You must qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler. AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Bharat Biotech Covaxin, etc. are some of the accepted vaccines.
  • You have been accepted by a designated learning institute (DLI).
  • You need to prove that you have adequate funds to pay for: your tuition fee, living expenses for yourself and family members who accompany you to Canada, and return transportation for yourself and any family members who accompany you to Canada
  • You need to prove that you have a clean background and no criminal record. The aspirants need to produce a police verification certificate to prove this.
  • You need to do a health checkup and produce a medical certificate that certifies that you are in good health.

Also at the time of the visa interview, you need to convince the visa officer that you will leave Canada once you complete your studies.

Which documents are required for Canada Student Visa?

You should apply for a student visa after you get the college acceptance letter. You should begin with the visa process around June if aiming at the September intake. The following are the documents needed to apply For Canada Student Visa.

  • Valid Passport
  • Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution
  • Proof of Funds
  • Passport Size Photographs
  • Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
  • English Language Proficiency Exam Score
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Credit Card

Canada Student Visa Fees

  • A study permit for Canada costs CAD 150, which is roughly equivalent to INR 9,049 (as shared on the CIC Website) as per the current exchange rate. Since the exchange rate keeps changing, we would advise you to check the same at the time of your visa application.
  • Canadian Visa Applications are available both online and offline. As such, the visa processing fees can be made both online (by means of a credit card) or offline (by means of demand draft if paying at the High Commission of Canada) or by cash at the VAC. This fee must be paid when the application is submitted or a fee receipt of online payment provided. The Demand Draft required is to be drawn out in favor of the High Commission of Canada in Indian rupees. VACs accept only Cash Payments. 
  • Also, the visa fee mentioned does not include VAC service charges. You would have to pay the additional service charges as applicable for your region. Also, a receipt will be issued for each payment received. Please keep the receipt as proof of payment.

  • Post submission of your visa application, students need to submit a biometric fee of CAD 85. Candidates need to submit this fee in addition to the regular visa fee. After this, your biometrics will be taken at a Visa Application Centre.

Processing Time for the Canada Student Visa

Processing time is the time taken by the CIC for processing a visa application. It starts when the aspirant files the application until the final decision day. As such, there is no specific time period mentioned for processing a Canada study visa application. Usually it takes around 12 weeks. Aspirants (both online and paper) can view the status of their applications through their MyCIC accounts.

Study Permit Renewal

For staying in Canada, students need to have a valid study permit. If in case, your study permit expires before completion of your studies (program) then you need to apply for renewal of study permit. Ideally, you should apply at least 30 days before your current permit expires. Candidates can submit their applications through mail or online.