To study in Canada, you need a Canadian study permit, which is like a Canadian student visa for the duration of your stay there. If your course or program is for less than six months, you do not need a Canadian study permit. However, it is a good idea to apply for a permit before you come to Canada. If you don’t and you decide to study in a different program, you will need to leave the country to apply for a study permit at a visa office.
Applying for a study permit to study in Canada
You can get an application for a Canadian study permit from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website, where you can also get a paper application. Most paper applications take twice as long as online, so it’s important to check processing times in advance. To apply online, you’ll need a credit or debit card and the ability to make electronic copies (ie use a scanner or camera) of your supporting documents. The visa office in your country will tell you exactly which documents you need to bring. It may be different depending on where you live. If you need assistance, you can get it at your nearest Visa Application Center (VAC).
What you need to do to get a Canadian student visa:
- You should first get a standard acceptance letter from a reputed college or university. Students wishing to study in Quebec must ask the Quebec government for a CAQ, which stands for “Certificate of Acceptance”. Before you apply for a study permit, you must obtain one. You can get this information online, by printing a form, or by asking your university for a paper form. Your university can also advise you on this.
- The next step is to obtain an application package for a Canadian student visa. You can do this by going to the CIC website, calling your local visa office or contacting the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You may also need a temporary residence permit if you are from a certain country. If you want one here you can find it. This doesn’t make things too difficult, as your application for a study permit will be processed at the same time.
- To get your application package you need to answer some questions about yourself on the CIC website. With the answers to these questions, you will find out if you can apply for a Canadian student permit online and what documents you need.
- If you’re eligible, you’ll get a personal checklist code that’s good for 60 days. You will need this code to apply online. Make sure to print out the page with your code so you can refer to it later. The page also includes a guide on how to fill out the application, an estimate of how much tuition will cost, a list of documents you need to send with your application, and instructions on what to do next.
When you’re ready to apply, you’ll need to create a MyCIC account and enter your personal checklist code. Then, you will get your personal document checklist, which will allow you to send your documents to CIC by uploading them. To do this, you need a printer or scanner.
Once you have your documents, application form and fees you can send your completed application to CIC.
Some people may need to go to their local visa office for an interview.
Additional Canadian Student Visa Requirements
Some or all of the following may also be required to obtain a Canadian student visa:
- Biometrics may be required from applicants from Europe, Middle East or Africa (photograph and fingerprints).
- Before submitting their application, some people are also required to undergo a medical examination and/or police check. If you are in trouble with the law, you cannot get a study permit. You may be asked to show a police clearance certificate as proof.
- Unless you are from the United States or Saint Pierre and Miquelon, you must show that you have a valid passport that allows you to return to your home country after your course. You will also need two passport-sized photographs, each with your name and date of birth written on the back.
- One of the requirements for a Canadian student visa is proof that you have enough money to live on. Currently, this counts as an additional CA$10,000 (about US$7,650) for each year of your stay, or CA$11,000 (about US$8,400) if you want to study in Quebec. Also make sure you have enough money to get home.
To prove that you have this money, you can show any of the following: bank statements, proof of a Canadian account in your name if the money was transferred there, a bank draft in a convertible currency, proof of payment of tuition and housing fees, a letter from the person or organization that lends you the money, or proof of funds paid from Canada if you have a scholarship or are participating in a Canadian-funded program.
What to do after you apply
If your application for a Canadian student visa is approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction. If you’re from a country that requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and/or a Temporary Resident Visa, you’ll get those, too. Your passport will be linked to the eTA. It is important to travel with the same passport that you used to obtain your study permit. An eTA is good for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Show these to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in Canada along with your passport, your financial proof, acceptance letter and any other documents you are told to bring. They will give you your Canadian study permit and allow you into Canada.
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