You will need a study visa if you are a foreign student who wants to study in Canada. A study visa or a visitor visa is issued to international students with a valid study permit. Foreign students get their study visas attached to their passports. Students who get a study permit do not need to apply for a visa separately. The IRCC issues them a visa once they accept their study permit application.
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Study Visa: Overview
- What are the requirements for a student visa in Canada?
- Document Checklist
- How can I get a study visa for Canada?
- How much money do I need for a Canada study visa
- Difference between a Study permit and a visa
- Is it easy to get a student visa in Canada?
- Can I study in Canada with my family?
What are the requirements for a Student Visa in Canada?
To get a study visa, you must have an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Other mandatory eligibility requirements for a student visa in Canada include:
- Have sufficient funds to pay for the tuition fee and living expenses while studying in the country. Additionally, you should also be able to afford the return transportation for yourself as well as your family members who came with you to Canada.
- Have a valid Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
- Clear a Medical Exam
- Prove to the visa officer that you will leave Canada as soon as the study visa expires.
Document Checklist for a Student Visa in Canada
Before applying for a study visa in Canada, make sure you have all the mandatory documents with you. A complete list of documents varies with each case. However, you must have the following documents with you before applying:
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
You must get a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the academic institution you want to study in.
If the college or university has only given a conditional acceptance, complete the conditional course before beginning the main course. In this case, the IRCC will issue a study permit only for the duration of the mandatory course. Once the university finally accepts you for the main academic course, apply for a new student permit.
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL)
Submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or a Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) while applying for the study permit. The PAL/TAL is given by the university after you accept their offer and deposit the tuition fee. You do not need a PAL or TAL in the case of a master’s or a doctoral degree program.
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
If your university or college is in Quebec, you will need to submit a CAQ. You do not need to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for Quebec, a CAQ acts as a PAL.
- Proof of Identity
You will need to upload the personal information page of your passport. If your study permit is accepted, you will need to submit your original passport to the nearest Visa Application Center (VAC).
Submit two latest passport-sized photographs with your name and date of birth written behind them.
- Proof of Financial Support
International students must be able to demonstrate that they have enough money to sustain themselves as well as their family members who come to Canada with them. Upload any one of the following paperwork as proof of financial support:
- Proof of Canadian bank account in their name
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
- Proof of student loan
- Bank statements from the last 4 months
- Proof of tuition fee deposit
- Proof of funding if they have a scholarship
- Official transcripts and Degrees
Submit all the latest official mark sheets and degrees. If you completed your previous education from outside Canada, upload the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. An ECA report is valid for 5 years.
- Language Proficiency Tests
Even though it is not mandatory, you might need to upload language test results. IRCC accepts IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE for English language tests. For French language tests, TEF or TCF are mandatory. Test results are valid for two years.
- Letter of Explanation
A letter of Explanation helps the visa officer know about your goals. It should include why you want to study in Canada and your responsibilities while studying in the country.
- Medical Exam
If you are going to study in Canada for more than 6 months, you will need to take a medical exam.
Note: All documents should either be in English or French.
How can I get a study visa for Canada?
You must have a study permit to get a study visa for Canada. Once IRCC accepts your application for a study permit, they automatically send you a visitor visa. This visitor visa is popularly known as a study visa.
The complete process of getting a study visa includes the following steps.
- Select your Institution
This is the first and the most important step. Research the best college for your chosen course and field of study. You can always consult the experts at Talent Connected Worldwide to select the best educational institution based on your preference.
Once you have listed the Canadian universities, jot down their eligibility factors, admission fees, and other requirements.
- Apply for Admission
Once you have selected the universities you wish to apply to, begin the application process. Most Canadian universities accept applications twice a year. During this phase, you will need to provide:
- Letters of Recommendation
- GRE/TOEFL/IELTS – if applicable
- Previous official degrees and transcripts
- Updated Resume
- Get a Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
This is the second major step. Once you get a Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian university/college, you can begin applying for a Canada Study Permit. The Letter of Acceptance includes important information such as the date of joining, tuition fee, name of course, etc. Once you get an LOA, initiate your request for the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to your university.
- Assemble all the documents
Before applying for a Canada study permit, assemble all the documents. Talent Connected Worldwide provides a tailor-made list of all the documents depending on your profile.
- Apply for Study Permit
Register and create an IRCC account. Through that account, initiate the study permit application. Answer a series of questions. Based on your answers, you will get the complete list of documents mandatory to upload with your study permit application.
- Pay the Study Permit Fee
This is the final step. Once you have uploaded all documents, pay the fee of $150 (CAD).
- Application Assessment
IRCC will assess your application for completeness and validity. At this stage, you might also be asked to attend an interview.
- Application Approval
If IRCC accepts the application, they will send a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction that allows you to study in Canada. This letter is NOT a study permit. Along with the Letter of Introduction, the IRCC will also stamp a visitor visa on your passport which is popularly called a study visa.
- Arriving in Canada
When you land in Canada as a foreign student, you must bring:
- Valid passport with the study visa stamped in it.
- Port of Entry Letter of Introduction that includes your study permit reference number.
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
- Proof of funds
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Medical Exam reports
Once you have successfully met all the formalities at the immigration counter, the visa officer will print your study permit and attach it to your passport. Do not leave the airport till you have received the study permit.
How much money do I need for a Canada study visa?
You need at least $20,635 (CAD) for a Canada study visa. This does not include the tuition fee of your institution. The minimum money for studying in Canada depends on the number of family members accompanying you to the country. For example, if you are coming to Canada with your parents, you must have at least $31,583 (CAD) per year.
| Required funds per year in Canadian Dollars | Number of family members coming with the applicant |
|---|---|
| $20,635 | 1 |
| $25,690 | 2 |
| $31,583 | 3 |
| $38,346 | 4 |
| $43,492 | 5 |
| $49,051 | 6 |
| $54,611 | 7 |
| $5,559 | Additional money for each member after 7 family members |
Is it easy to get a student visa in Canada?
Yes, it is extremely easy to get a student visa in Canada. Once you have the Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), getting a student visa becomes relatively easy. All you need to do is submit a complete and valid visa application.
Can I study in Canada with my family?
Yes, your family can accompany you while you study in Canada. However, you will need sufficient funds to support the members who are coming with you. Each individual who wants to come to Canada needs to apply for a visitor visa.
Difference between a Study Permit and a Visa
Canada study visa and study permit are often used interchangeably. However, they both are different and have distinct functions.
| Study Permit | Study Visa |
|---|---|
| A study permit allows you to stay in Canada as an international student. It authorizes an individual to enroll in a Canadian educational institution. | A study visa is an entry document. While studying in Canada, if you leave the country temporarily, you will need a study visa while returning to Canada. A study visa allows you to enter Canada. |
| You will get the study permit only after you land at the airport in Canada, and meet all the formalities at the visa counter. | IRCC will ask you to submit your original passport to the nearest VAC if they approve your study permit application. They will stamp your passport with a study visa, also known as a visitor visa. |
Processing Fee and Time for Study Visa
The processing time for a Canada Study Visa is around 4 weeks if you are applying from India. The processing time depends on the country you are applying from, and if IRCC requires any additional documents from you. Submitting a complete application significantly reduces the processing time.
The processing fee for a Study Visa is CAN $150. This fee is non-refundable.
Talent Connected Worldwide for Study Visa
Talent Connected Worldwide understands the importance of quality education in young students’ lives.
We help you shortlist the universities with the highest chances of success based on the choice of your course. Our expert consultants help you apply to these Canadian universities and increase your chances of getting an acceptance letter.
Being CICC-authorized, Talent Connected Worldwide NEVER pushes you to apply to a particular course or university. We are committed to transparency and suggest the best options for a flourishing and bright future.
Consult TCWW for:
- Authentic academic counseling and shortlisting of Canadian universities
- Complete assistance in university applications
- Expert assistance during study permit applications
- Preparation before arriving in Canada
- Post-arrival assistance.
Move towards a brighter future. Contact Talent Connected Worldwide now.
