A student visa is a study permit that allows foreign nationals to study in Canadian educational institutions. It doesn’t matter where you come from; if you are from a country outside of Canada, you need a student visa. So the question is how to apply for a student visa? It will be impossible to study in Canada if you don’t have a student visa.
In this article, we will be sharing a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a study permit in Canada. So if you are an international student looking to study in Canada, this article is for you.
What is a student visa?
Your student visa is nothing but a study permit so you can study in Canada. For international students, a student visa is mandatory to study at any educational institution in Canada.
Getting a student visa can be a long and tedious process if you don’t know where to start. The student permit is only allowed to those who have been accepted for the Canadian educational institution and can prove that they have enough funds to support themselves during their stay in Canada.
Additionally, your study permit application must be approved before you can travel to Canada. So you must have all your documents in order and know the process before you start applying for a student visa.
How does the Canadian student visa work?
Similar to any other country, if you want to study in Canada, you will need a student visa. To get a student visa, you need to be accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI). A DLI is a school, college, university, or any other educational institution that has been authorized by the Canadian government to host international students.
You can find the list of all the DLIs on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Once you have been accepted by a DLI, you can apply for a student visa.
It’s important to note that you can’t apply for a student visa until you have been accepted by a DLI. So make sure a DLI has accepted you before you start the visa application process.
Additionally, you can’t apply for a student visa if you are from a country that has been exempted from the student visa requirements. You can find the list of these countries on the IRCC website.
What are the requirements for a Canadian student visa?
Here are the requirements that you need to meet to be eligible for a student visa:
- A valid Passport
- Copies of 10th, 12th, and Degree certificates
- SOP (Statement of Purpose)
- Certificates of extracurricular accomplishments (Sports, music, dance, etc.)
- An acceptance letter from a Canadian university
- Payment Proves
- Financial assurance
- Study Permit
- English speaking and writing skills
- Health insurance
Your college or university will give you all the details of the required documents. If you are planning to apply for a Canadian study permit, make sure to gather the required documents before you start the application process. Contact your college or university, they will be able to guide you on the required documents.
In addition to the above-mentioned requirements, you also need to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in Canada. You can do this by showing the following:
- Your bank statements for the past 4 months
- Your parents’ or guardians’ bank statements for the past 4 months
- Your student loan documents
- Your scholarship or award letters
- Your income tax returns for the past 2 years
- Your parents’ or guardians’ income tax returns for the past 2 years
- Any other documents that prove you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in Canada
Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can start the application process.
How much does it cost to apply for a student visa?
The application fee for a Canadian student visa is CAD150, which is around $114. The fee is non-refundable and you need to pay it online when you apply for the visa. The payment must be paid online while you are completing the application.
You might also need to pay the biometrics fee, which is currently CAD85 (~$64). The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting your fingerprints and a photo. You need to pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application.
How to apply for a Canadian student visa?
Now that we know one or two things about the requirements for a student visa and the application process, let’s take a look at how you can apply for a Canadian student visa.
1. Apply for a Canadian college or university
You can’t apply for a student visa if you don’t have an acceptance letter from a Canadian college or university. So the first step is to find a school and apply to it.
The application process for colleges and universities in Canada varies depending on the institution. Some colleges and universities have their application process while others use the common application portal known as OUAC. So make sure to do your research and find out how to apply to the college or university of your choice.
2. Get your documents in order
Once you have been accepted by a Canadian DLI, you need to start gathering the required documents for the student visa application. Gather all the documents mentioned above and get them in order. Your college or university will give you all the necessary information about the required documents.
3. Complete the application form
Now that you have all your documents ready, it’s time to complete the application form. You can find the application form online on the IRCC website. Start by creating an account on the website and then log in to begin the application process. Make sure to take your time and fill out the form carefully. You don’t want to make any mistakes while filling out the form as it might result in a delay or rejection of your application.
4. Pay the application fee
Once you have completed the form, you need to pay the application fee. The application fee for a Canadian student visa is CAD150, which is currently about US$113. You can pay the fee online through the IRCC website using a credit card. You might have to pay a biometric fee as well if you are from a country that requires one.
5. Submit your application
After you have paid the fee, all you need to do is submit your application. You can either submit it online or through the mail. If you choose to submit it online, you will need to send your documents to the visa office by mail. It might take 3-4 weeks for your application to be processed. So make sure to be patient and check regularly for updates on the application status.
Applying for a Canadian student visa is not a complicated process as long as you have all the required documents and information. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully and submit your application well in advance so that you have enough time to get your visa processed. Good luck!