Canada is considered to be one of the global leaders in providing quality education and a world class learning infrastructure. It offers some of the best programs worldwide on Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, MBA, Finance and Engineering. Getting a Canada student visa is the first step you need to take to fulfil your dream of studying in Canada.
Types of student visa for Canada
While applying for a study visa Canada, you have the following types to choose from:
Required for international students enrolled in a program longer than six months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Key Points:
- Not a visa itself; usually issued alongside a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
- Can be extended from within Canada.
- Allows part-time work (up to 20 hours/week during studies, full-time during breaks).
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate
It is a mandatory document for most international students who plan to study in the province of Québec for more than six months.
What is the eligibility criteria for Canada study visa?
If you want to apply for student visa Canada from India, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
- Proof of funds
- Proof of language proficiency, through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or TEF (French).
- Medical examination
- No criminal record
- Intent to leave after studies
- Valid passport
- Statement of purpose (SOP): explaining your study plans, reasons for choosing Canada and future goals.
- Academic documents
- Visa application forms and fee payment receipts
- Passport-size photographs
How to apply for Canada student visa?
Here are the steps you need to follow for Canada student visa application:
- You need to obtain your acceptance letter from your Canadian college or academic institution
- Visit the CIC website and start applying for your study permit
- Based on your eligibility, you will receive a personal checklist code, which is valid for 60 days.
- You will also need to get all your paperwork ready by providing all necessary documents, like a residence permit, legal certificate and language proficiency test results
- Using your checklist code, go to MyCIC website and fill out the student visa application form with all the necessary documents
- Pay the Canadian student permit fee
- Attend an interview by visiting the local visa office if asked to.
- Once everything is in order, you will receive a POE (Port of Entry) Letter of Introduction and a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). You must present these and other documents to CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) to receive your Canada student visa.
Documents required for Canada student visa application
Here are the documents for Canada student visa requirement:
- Valid passport
- Proof of acceptance from a recognised Canadian learning institution
- English language proficiency test score
- Proof of funds
- Immigration medical examination
- Passport-size photograph
- Statement of purpose (SOP)
- Provincial attestation letter (if applying for UG, PG Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma courses)
- Passport-size photographs
- Visa application forms and fee payment receipts
When to apply for student study visa for Canada?
You should apply for your Canada student permit right after receiving your letter of acceptance (LOA). Hence, start applying for the permit at least 4 to 6 months before your course starts.
Canada student visa processing time
The time taken for Canada student visa processing depends on the type of visa or student permit you are applying for. A Study Permit typically takes 2 to 3 months to process.
What are the Canada study visa application fees?
The student visa Canada cost from India is 150 Canadian dollars. However, this is just the application fee. There are additional costs associated with getting a student visa, including biometric fees, medical exams and other potential expenses.
Role of travel insurance for Canada student visa
It is not compulsory to get travel insurance to obtain your Canadian study permit. However, you can still benefit a lot from getting one. This will help to cover your travel and medical expenses during your early days in Canada. Travel insurance for Canada can also protect you from unforeseen expenses like lost luggage, personal liabilities, trip cancellations and other mishaps.
FAQs
- Which is the best way to apply for a Canadian student visa: In person or online?
Applying online through the CIC website is the quickest and most hassle-free way.
- How can I track the current status of my student permit application?
After applying online, you will receive an automatic email confirmation that you can use for application status tracking.
- What courses are supported by the Study Permit?
It generally supports a wide range of courses at the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) level, including those leading to degrees, diplomas and other qualifications.
Conclusion
Studying in Canada can be a great way for you to enjoy progressive career growth in the future. By following these simple guidelines presented here, you can easily streamline your student visa application and study with one of the finest Canadian educational institutions.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the topic featured in the article. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.