Study Visa Canada

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.

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.

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.

1. Valid Passport

You would need a Valid Passport to be able to apply for a Study Permit. As of the Canadian High Commission, it is important that you have a passport whose validity covers the intended stay in Canada. For instance, if you plan to travel to Canada in September 2022 for a two-year course, your passport should be valid until at least September 2024.

2. Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution

You would need the acceptance letter from the university/institute you are planning to attend. A Designated Learning Institute is a University that is recognized by the Immigration Department. (Here’s a list for your reference). In case you are applying for Quebec, you would also need a CAQ which would be duly notified.

3. Proof of Funds

At the time of application for your Study Permit, you would have to show proof of funds. As per the present standards, you would have to prove that you would have enough funds to pay our tuition fees as well as take care of living expenses. The Canadian Immigration deems a student would require at least CAD 10,000 for every year of your stay. Apart from the above two, the student would also have to prove that he/she has enough funds for a return fair as well. Funds can be proven with the help of the following:

• Canadian bank account
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
• Student loan or education loan
• Bank statements of past 4 months
• Bank draft (it should be convertible to Canadian dollars)
• Proof of paid tuition and housing fee
• Letter from a person or school that has provided you with funds
• Proof of funding paid from within Canada (in case of a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program)

4. Passport Size Photographs

If you have opted for an offline application, you would need two passport-sized photographs that conform to the given standards. For an online application, you must procure a digital copy of the photograph which should not be more than 4MB. Other requirements are standard neutral facial expression, plain background as well as no headgear (unless for religious purposes). Note:

• Size of the image should be at least 35 mm x 45 mm
• Image should be recent (not older than 6 months)
• Your name and date of birth must be written on the back of each photo

5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

Canadian Immigration requires international students from India to undergo a compulsory Immigration Medical Examination from empanelled doctors. Students would have to book an appointment and visit the listed doctors for a medical examination, preferably a week before they start their Visa Application. This is to give the doctor enough time to validate and upload the necessary documents. Booking an appointment in advance with the nearest facility/ practitioner as per the list of empanelled doctors is always advised.

The panel physician will perform a complete medical exam and may refer you for chest x-rays and laboratory tests. Once your exam has been completed, the physician will send the results to CIC.

6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score

Though not mandatory to have at the time of application, we strongly recommend that you have appeared for and get your English Language Proficiency Score before you start your Visa Application Process. As it is, you would have had to submit your English language proficiency score to confirm your admission to the Canadian University. TOEFL, IELTS, etc. are all acceptable.

7. Statement of Purpose

When applying for a Canadian Study Permit, you would be required to submit an essay stating the purpose of your trip to Canada and why you have chosen the particular institution. This would be prompted as an optional document in the checklist but we strongly recommend that you submit the same.

8. Credit Card

In case you are making an online application, you would also require a credit card to pay the application fee. The Visa Application Fee for Indian students for Canada is CAD 150. Please remember that the system only accepts credit cards and not debit cards. Also, it is not necessary that it is your credit card. You can use your parent’s cards as well, provided you have explicit permission to do so.