Student Visa

CCanada entices 350,000+ foreign students each year because of its excellent universities and relatively low tuition fees. Applying for a student visa to Canada can be confusing and frustrating without the right guidance. We’ve outlined all you need to know before applying for a student visa to Canada here so that your application goes as smooth as possible.

  • If your country has an education or student visa arrangement with Canada.
  • Any education institute Universities, College or Schools in Canada must approve your application
  • Must have documents that support your financial status to pay off-  tuition expenses, living expenses and cover the return travel expense
  • You must have no criminal record. You may have to provide a police certificate.
  • You must be in good health and able to undergo any necessary medical examination.
  • You must be able to convince the immigration officer that you are not planning to overstay your visit

However, there are few conditions when you don’t need a student visa

  • If your course or program is less than six months
  • Anyone in your family is a foreign representative of Canada
  • When you are a member of the Foreign Armed Force
  • Valid passport, its validity should be beyond the intended stay.
  • A letter of acceptance by a university or college recognised by the immigration department of Canada.
  • Must have scored in TOEFL, IELTS etc.
  • A proof of fund covering all expenditures of your stay in Canada.
  • Two passport size photos for offline application and a digital copy not more than 4MB for online submission.
  • For medical examination certification, book an appointment at least a week before visa application.
  • Statement of purpose stating the reason for your stay in Canada

The candidates have to go through a personal round of interviews at the local visa office. The visa processing can take up to 60 days but it is 45 days through SDS (Study direct stream)

The study direct stream route is available for students from Asian countries like India, China, the Philippines etc. It opens up more colleges and universities option in Canada.

Applying For
Canadian Student Visa

You will have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa through the CIC website to get a student visa. You can download the application form from the website and submit it to Visa Application Centres.

VFS Global Services is the designated Visa Application Centres through which the study permits are issued. Online procedures are faster than offline and just need electronic copies of supporting documents.

Working in Canada as a Student

Being a student too, one can work in Canada under any Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) work programs for students.
A student may be able to work in Canada during study under the following categories:

  • On-Campus without a Work Permit;
  • Off campus with a work permit;
  • In Co-op and Internship Program, where work experience is part of the curriculum, with a Work Permit.

Canada allows to work off-campus for up to 20 hours during university semesters and full-time during winter or summer breaks, without the need for a work permit.

You will require Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada to work or receive benefits from government programs.

Your study permit will become invalid 90 days after you have completed your study program, so you’ll need to acquire a post-graduation work permit if you want to stay in Canada after your studies and seek work.

FAQs

The visa rejection can be for various reasons like poor academic performance, Canadian Universities accept a maximum of 5 backlogs for undergraduate courses and a maximum of 7-8 backlogs for postgraduate courses. Failed to prove financial stability.

Another reason could be scoring below the threshold in Language Proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or if you have indicated a permanent stay on your study visa.

The average cost depends upon the chosen universities or colleges by the student and residential area for stay. The cost can go up to USD10,000/per year. The candidate must introspect the financial details accordingly.

Yes, many scholarships are run under government programs, universities and colleges, and other charity organisations. The set criteria must be fulfilled for securing a scholarship by students.

The Co-op program in Canada, or the Co-operative education program, allows students to take up work in any industry as a part of their course curriculum even without the requirement of a work permit.

The key benefits of the program;

  • Get paid for working in an organization
  • You can get an opportunity for a permanent job and settle in Canada
  • Exposure to professional & International work even before you graduate

If you apply through an immigration consultant it ensures timely submission of your application, helps you with scholarship details and provides regular updates.

It also helps in avoiding possible visa rejection through valuable feedback.

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