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Study in Canada

What is a Study Permit?

A study permit is an important document issued by the Canadian government that allows you to be inside Canada and study. It may also allow you to work on and/or off-campus if you meet the requirements.

All international students who show interest to study in Canada for longer than 6 months at post-secondary level, will need a Canada study permit.

If a study course is less than 6 months long, you’ll only need a visitor visa to come to Canada. Only citizens and permanent residents of the United States and residents of Greenland or St. Pierre et Miquelon can apply when entering Canada.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a Canada study permit, interested students must –

  • Obtain a Letter of acceptance from a DLI.
  • Prove enough funds to cover the first year of tuition fees, as well as living expenses.
  • Satisfy immigration visa officers that student will leave Canada at the end of their period of authorized stay; and
  • Be admissible to Canada (police background checks and/or a medical may be requested).

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Steps to obtain Study Permit

01. Letter of Acceptance / Offer letter

A letter of acceptance is required from a designated learning institution (DLI) after an applicant meets all the admission requirements. A designated learning institution is a college/university approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. All primary and secondary schools in Canada are designated learning institutions.

02. Proof of Funds

Applicants must show enough financial stability to pay tuition fees and prove they can support themselves and accompanying family members, if applicable, while in Canada.

Proof of funds can be proven with:

  • Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if you have transferred money to Canada.
  • Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.
  • Proof of a student/education loan from abank.
  • Bank statements for the past four months.
  • Proof you paid tuition fees.
  • Sponsor letter from the person or school giving you money.

 

03. Proof of Medical

A medical exam must be conducted under the supervision of an IRCC certified family physician and get a medical report proving you to be in good health.

04. Proof of Identity

  • Passport or travel document Include all pages with visas, stamps, or markings (your passport should be valid for at least 6months beyond the expected date of your arrival to Canada).
  • Recent Passport size photograph Taken within the last six months as per IRCC recommendations.
  • Biometrics (digital fingerprints) required by most temporary resident applicants (excluding US citizens) unless they have already submitted them to IRCC in the past 10 years. If required, an $85 CAD collection fee must be paid.

 

05. Other Requirements

  • Statement of purpose or Letter of explanation including your study plan and proof of ties to your country of citizenship
  • Co-opletter (if a work placement is a requirement of your program of study)

Bring Your Dependents

When coming to study in Canada, you may be able to bring your Spouse and children with you. You would usually apply for their status as part of your study permit application.

Your spouse/partner can either apply to join you as a visitor or they can request a spousal openwork permit.

If you have school-aged children, you may request a study permit for them before coming to Canada. Letters of acceptance for your children are not required.

If your children are not yet school-aged, you can request an eTA (if required) or a TRV to allow them to enter as visitors.

Once in Canada, minor children of international students can attend school either they have a visitor record or a study permit, but their status must remain valid.

Student Direct Scheme

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an option only available to those applying from one of the following countries:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Brazil
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • India
  • Morocco
  • Pakistan
  • Peru
  • The Philippines
  • Senegal
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Vietnam

Required Documents

IRCC outlines required documents based on the country from which you are applying,but theygenerally include:

  • Pre-payment of your first year’s tuition.
  • Purchasing a $10,000CAD Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating bank.
  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic or general training scoreof6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing,speaking,and listening); and,
  • An upfront immigration medical exam

After Study Permit Aproval

  • If an application is approved, the visa office serving the country where the application is submitted will issue an approval letter, known as a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction, and a visa or an eTA (if applicable).
  • If you require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV, also known as visitor visa), you will be asked to submit your passport so that the visa officer can affix the visa.
  • If you require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), you don’t have to submit your passport.An eTA will be issued electronically and associated with your passport number.
  • Present the Letter of Introduction to the border officer when entering Canada to get the hardcopy of your study permit.