Requirements for a Student Visa in Canada

Choosing Canada as a study destination might mean more than just receiving a degree in one of the world’s most educated countries; it can also mean deciding on your next permanent residence. As an international student, you will not only obtain a top-notch education, but you will also have the option to become a permanent resident of Canada.

Within ten years of earning their first study visa, three out of ten overseas students who arrived in Canada after the year 2000 moved to permanent status. Check if you meet Canada student visa requirements and take your study and life to the next level!

How Can I Study in Canada?

All foreign citizens who wish to study in Canada must get a study permit, regardless of the curriculum or length of the term. You must meet the following requirements in order to apply for the permit:

• You need to be enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), and the DLI needs to be on the list of DLIs with an approved COVID-19 readiness plan;
• You need to prove that you have enough funds for tuition and living expenses for both yourself and family members who come to Canada with you. Your return transport will need to be covered in the funds as well;
• You should have no criminal record and obey the law. You may need to get a police certificate if requested;
• You need to be in good health; you may also be required to get a medical exam; and
• Lastly, you’ll need to prove to an officer that you will leave Canada once your study visa expires.

A DLI is a school that the provincial or territorial government has approved for international students.

The following documents will be required from you in order to apply for the visa:

• Proof of acceptance;
• Proof of identity; and
• Proof of financial support.

Additional documents that you may also need include:

• A letter of explanation – this will help the officer understand why you want to study in Canada;
• Certificat d’acceptation du Québec – this certificate is needed if you want to study longer than 6 months in Quebec;
• A custodian declaration (for minors only) – A custodian is a responsible adult, who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, who will take care of and support the minor child; and
• Other documents – this may depend on your country or region.

The study permit in Canada is valid for the duration of your programme plus an additional 90 days. The day your school provides you with a completion letter, transcript, degree, or diploma is your completion date.

When Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) receives your application, the average processing period for a Canadian study visa is three months. However, if you live in certain countries, you may be qualified to apply for a Student Direct Stream visa, which allows you to acquire your student visa considerably faster.

What is the Student Direct Stream?

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a way of obtaining a study permit quicker. The processing time can be as short as 20 calendar days. To apply through the SDS, you need to be a resident of one of the following countries:

What are the minimum funds needed to support myself as a student?

Did You Know

International students with a valid study permit who are studying full-time may bring their spouses or common-law partners with them. Furthermore, your partner will enter Canada on an open work visa, allowing them to work anywhere in the country while you study.

Why do Canadian study permits get rejected?

It’s critical to have a clear study plan that is both reasonable and convincing enough to convince the officer that your primary reason for coming to Canada is to study. The programme you choose must make sense to the immigration officer, and you must explain how the qualification you are getting in Canada will benefit you when you return to your home country.

Failure to comply with the aforementioned is one of the most prevalent grounds for denying a study visa. Aside from the reasons indicated, your visa may be rejected for various reasons, including a lack of financial proof and valid documentation.

Top Courses to Study in Canada for International Students

Applying for a course that would increase your chances of landing a job after graduation is always a good idea. Many Canadian curricula are particularly industry-focused, making it much simpler to get work after graduation.

Below are the four most popular fields of study for international students:

1. Business and Finance;
2. Computer Science and IT;
3. Health and Medicine; and
4. Engineering

All of the jobs described above are listed on one or more of the 11 provinces’ in-demand occupations lists. This indicates you’ll have a decent chance of getting work after you finish your studies.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit programme allows international students to work in Canada after graduation.

Post-Graduation Work Permit

Did You Know?

International student graduates who worked during or after their studies were more likely to become permanent residents of Canada. Many students use their studies as a stepping stone to working in or immigrating to Canada.

 By ensuring you meet the Canada student visa requirements, you can join over 530,000 other international students.

How Studying in Canada Leads to Immigration

If you wish to immigrate to Canada, having Canadian job experience is incredibly valuable because it qualifies you for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) programmes. The CEC is for foreign nationals who have earned Canadian work experience under a temporary work visa and seek permanent residency in Canada.

The CEC is part of the Express Entry system, which allows applicants to apply from anywhere globally because it is an online system. You won’t require proof of finances, which cuts the processing period in half to three or four months.

Discover if you meet the Canada student visa requirements with our online eligibility evaluation and start your Canadian journey today!