Canada Student Visa: Application Procedures, Fees and Requirements

Canada strives to entice a constant volume of students from India. While acquiring admission to high universities in Canada needs outstanding academic scores, the approval to study is validated by the standards of a study permit. If you desire to obtain educational, vocational, or skilled training at a university, college, or any other academic organization in Canada, you will require a study permit before entering Canada. This study permit is provided to students when they come to Canada. Hence, to reach there, a student must first apply for a Temporary Resident Visa offered by the Canadian High Commission and promoted by the Visa Application Centers. The VFS Global Services is the assigned Visa Application Center for Canadian visas. Furthermore, aspirants should as well understand the cause of why their visa gets denied. Using this article, we intend to inform you about everything from Canada student visa provisions to documents needed for obtaining a study permit.

Reasons for studying in Canada

• High level of education

Canada’s academic organizations are part of the best in the world. Eight Canadian universities have been recorded among the top 200 institutions globally in the QS World University Rankings documented for 2023. Seven Canadian universities are among the top 200 universities globally based on the Times World University Rankings 2023. Outstanding survey structures, sports and entertainment installations, housings, and other luxuries are obtainable at Canadian institutions. They provide the learners the opportunity to prevail academically and expand individually.

• Inexpensive education

Compared to other English-speaking countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, studying in Canada is far more affordable.

• Multicultural setting

Scholars can undergo a different level of culture in Canada due to its cordial disposition and multicultural environment.

• Employment prospects for international students

When the students have graduated, they can apply for a work permit and get employed in Canada for three years. They are authorized to work part-time while registered in classes.

Top courses for students in Canada

Concerning employment prospects, industry requests, and chances for work permits, there are only some outstanding courses for international students to register for while in Canada. A few of these courses include;

• MBA in Canada
• MCA in Canada
• MS in Canada
• BBA in Canada
• Tech in Canada
• Hotel Management in Canada
• BCA in Canada

Canada Study Permit

The student visa Canada is a paper provided by Canadian immigration administrations that authorizes international students to study in Canada. International students can only study in Canada if they obtain a valid study permit. Outside this, students who get a study permit can register in Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). A DLI is an academic institution that has obtained permission from a regional or local government to host International scholars.

Obtaining the Canada Study Visa

You must hold up the introduction letter and every other identified document to Canada. Getting to the airport, you would come across an immigration official. Submit the passport and the letter of introduction to the border regulatory agency official, who will then validate the same and, when discovered to be valid, provide you with your study permit.

Qualified standards for Canada student visa

The enlisted points offer the Canada student visa provisions:

• Ensure you are eligible as a thoroughly vaccinated traveler. Some approved vaccines include Bharat Biotech Covaxin, AstraZeneca /COVISHIELD, and more.
• A Designated Learning Institute has approved you.
• You must verify that you possess sufficient funds to pay for your tuition fees, living costs for yourself and family members who follow you to Canada, and returning transport for yourself and any family members who went with you to Canada.
• You must verify that you possess a pure background with no illicit history. The candidates are required to deliver a police confirmation credential to ascertain this.
• You must perform a health checkup and provide a medical certificate that authorizes you to be healthy.

Furthermore, during the visa consultation, you must win over the visa officer that you will depart from Canada anytime you finish your studies.

The documents needed for Canada Student Visa

You must apply for a student visa after receiving the college acceptance letter. You should start with the visa procedures in June if intending to take the September intake. Listed below are the documents required to apply for a Canada student visa.

1. Valid passport

You would require a valid passport to apply for a study permit. Because of the Canadian High Commission, you must possess a passport; its validity protects the preplanned visit to Canada. For example, if you intend to journey to Canada in September 2020 for a two-year program, your passport must be valid until maybe September 2022.

2. Confirmation of Approval by a Designated Learning Institution

You would require the approval letter from the institution you plan to attend. A DLI is an institution that is acknowledged by the immigration units. If you apply for Quebec, you would also require a CAQ, the Quebec Acceptance Certificate. The Quebec administration provides it. Your institution will offer you the facts of the Quebec Acceptance Certificate application. Hence, if your program lasts less than half a year, you do not need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate.

3. Confirmation of finance

During the registration period for a study permit, you would be required to present evidence of finance. Due to the current criteria, you would be needed to verify that you possess sufficient cash to pay the tuition fees and also handle the living cost. Canadian immigration considers a student would require the lowest CAD 10,000 annually for their stay. Outside these two, the student would also have to verify that they possess sufficient cash for their return transportation. Finances can be verified with the assistance of the following ;

• A student loan or academic loan
• Evidence of funding reimbursed from within Canada in situations of a scholarship or Canadian-paid academic programs.
• Canadian bank account
• Evidence of financed tuition and accommodation fees.
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate from a partaking Canadian monetary organization.
• Letter from an individual or institution that has offered you cash.
• Bank declaration for the previous four months.
• Bank draft, which should be exchangeable to Canadian dollars.

The lowest bank balance for a Canada student visa lies on if you reside in Quebec or away from Quebec. Furthermore, it also relies on the number of individuals following you during your stay in Canada. The table below offers the lowest bank balance for a Canada student visa studying outside Quebec.

Individuals and funds needed every year (leaving out tuition fees) outside Quebec.

• Main aspirant — CAD 10,000
• First family member — CAD 4,000
• Every extra member — CAD 3,000

The information provided below offers the lowest bank balance for a Canada student visa while in Quebec:

Individuals and funds needed yearly( not including tuition fees) while in Quebec.

• One person below (18 years) — CAD 6,569
• One person (18 years and more) — CAD 13,134
• Two persons (18 years and more) — CAD 19,264
• Two persons (18 years and above), one person (below 18) — CAD 21,579
• Two persons (18 years and more), two persons (below 18) — CAD 23,290

4. Passport-size photograph

If you have decided on an offline registration, you would require two passport-sized photographs that blend into the provided criteria. When you opt for online registration, you must obtain a digital copy of the picture, which should not exceed 4MB. Other provisions are a common neutral facial indication, plain setting, and no headgear unless it’s for religious intentions. Do not forget that ;

• The extent of the photograph should be not less than 35 mm × 45 mm.
• The photograph should be current and at most six months.
• Your name and date of birth should be penned down on the back of each image.

5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

Canadian immigration needs International students from India to experience a mandatory immigration medical examination (IME) from paneled medical experts. Scholars would have to fix a meeting and pay a visit to the mentioned doctors for a medical test, preferably one week before they begin their visa application. This gives the medical practitioner sufficient time to validate and upload the essential papers. Fixing a meeting before time with the closest institution or doctor due to the list of impaneled medical practitioners is usually suggested. The committee physician will carry out a full medical test and may direct you for chest X-rays and laboratory exams. The doctor will forward the results to CIC whenever your test concludes.

6. English language expertness test score

Though not compulsory to possess during the application period, it is firmly suggested that you have emerged for and obtained your English language mastery score before you begin your visa application procedures. Due to this, you would have to present your English language mastery score to ascertain your entry to the Canadian university. Example of the few acceptable ones includes IELTS, TOEFL, and more.

7. Declaration of objective

This is as well described as a letter of explanation. When registering for a Canadian study permit, you must present a composition declaring the intention of your travel to Canada and your knowledge of your obligations as a student. This would be encouraged as an optional document in the list; however, it is firmly suggested that you present the same.

8. Credit card

You need a credit card to fund the registration fee when making an online registration. Canada student visa registration fee is CAD 150. Remember that the system only permits credit cards and not debit cards. Furthermore, it is optional that it must be your credit card. You can also use your guardian’s cards, given you possess definitive authorization to carry this out. Outside this, you would require entry to a digital scanner if registering online. Hence, if you register offline, you should possess valid copies of all the above-listed documents. While registering online, you would need to download some of the documents, fill them out, print them out, inscribe them, and then upload them. Therefore, the presence of the scanner must be made available. The system as well permits you to upload a perfect-quality photograph. It is hence, suggested a scanner for a camera. During the private interrogation, the interviewer may need extra documents. These may be documents to verify proof of educational or monetary status. These may have to do with;

• Your purpose to leave Canada after you fulfilled the course of study.
• Credentials, diplomas, and certificates from the schools you have attended.
• Ways you would finance all your academic, housing, and travel expenses.
• Exam scores, including GMAT, TOEFL, GRE, or SAT.

Methods of application for a Canadian visa for study

Observe the below-listed stages to apply for the Canada student visa procedure.

• Inspect the processing period

Canada visa processing period is usually six weeks, which can be something other than the time needed for biometrics. It is recommended to undergo the Canadian consulate website to understand the duration required to process the student visa and to follow your application.

• Decide the method of application

There are two methods of application.

1. Apply online: For a student to apply online, they must possess entry to a scanner or camera to produce electronic copies of their documents for uploading and have an accurate credit card for expenses. They will as well be needed to offer a finger scan at the provincial Visa Application Center (VAC), do not forget that in the situation of online applications, you are required to visit the VFS office to submit your passports and would have to offer verification of form and fee payments also. The stages would only differ regarding the document you must take to the Visa Application Center.
2. Application on paper: Download the application tools and review the instructions manual. The instruction manual consists of essential information concerning study permits and guidelines to assist you in concluding your application. Go through the manual carefully and make use of the document list. You are permitted to apply on paper just on two conditions.

• If you possess a disability that deters you from registering online.
• If you carry individuality or travel papers for non-national citizens m, stateless individuals, or refugees.

3. At a port of entrance: At the port of entry, the following can apply as well.

• US inhabitants
• Ukrainian citizens
• Greenland citizens
• Saints Pierre and Miquelon citizens
• US permanent residence, or legal permanent residence of the United States.
• Fill out the VFS approval form and combine it with your application form. You will require this form to receive assistance from the VFS service for your visa-filling procedures.

• Pay for the processing expense

Remember that when presenting an application through the VFS, individually or by mail, visa expenses must be reimbursed in addition to VFS global services fees. The processing expense can not be refunded in every situation.

If your partner, spouse, or children are following you and you are applying for short-term resident visas, study permits, or work permits, then you must pay the applicable processing payments.

• Present your application and supporting documents

You are required to visit the closest VFS office. When you get there, pay the service charges and provide them with your complete application to receive a receipt. This receipt consists of your unique tracking number, which you will require to track the advancement of your application online. In situations where your application is accepted, you will get a signal from the government of Canada demanding your passport. You can present the passport and demand letter in person or via VFS. You would be offered a short Resident Visa and a letter of introduction.

Canada Student Visa Payments

• Canada student visa payment is CAD 150. Canada study visa payment using the Indian Rupees is 9,317 due to the present exchange rate as of July 2023. Since the exchange rates fluctuate, inspecting the same when applying for your visa is advisable.
• Canadian visa applications are obtainable offline and online. The visa processing payments can be made online through a credit card or offline through a demand draft if making payments at the High Commission of Canada or given money at the Visa Application Center. This payment must be made when the application is presented, or a payment receipt made online is provided. The demand draft needed is to be inscribed in favor of the high commissioner of Canada in Indian rupees. Visa Application Centers only approve cash payments.
• Furthermore, the visa payment listed excludes the Visa Application Center service fees. This means you must make another service payment as your province demands. Again, a receipt will be provided for every payment made. Ensure to keep the receipt as evidence of payment.
• Post-presentation of your application, students must present a biometric payment of CAD 85. Aspirants require to submit this payment in addition to the regular visa payment. After this, your biometrics will be collected at a VAC.

Processing period for the Canada student visa

The processing period is the duration the CIC acquires for processing a visa registration. It begins when the candidate applies till the last conclusive day. Most often, the processing duration for a Canada student visa is usually six weeks. Candidates who applied offline and online can check their application status using MyCIC accounts. Furthermore, if students register using the SDS path, the Canada Student Visa processing duration after their biometrics takes up to 20 calendar days.

Study permit renewal

For living and studying, students must possess an authentic student visa in Canada. If, in some situations, your student visa in Canada lapses before the conclusion of your program, then you are required to apply for renewal of your study permit. Ideally, you must apply one month before the lapse of your permit. Aspirants can present their applications via mail or online.

Dependents

Partners can follow full-time students on a dependent visa. You are only required to present that sufficient funds are obtainable for their support. Partners can also get employed full-time if they visit for one year or more. In most situations, you may seek an open work permit to follow your partner to Canada. Using a genuine work permit, you may discover she approves any job when you reach Canada. You do not require a job provision or favorable labor market effect inspection to apply for your work permit.

Intake period in Canada

There are three segments for intakes in Canada, college and university intakes. These had to do with the Fall intake between September, December, and January. The winter intake occurs between January to May. And finally, the spring and summer intake occurs between May to August. These points will be elucidated in brief:

• Fall intake between September to December and January: many aspirants for admission to Canadian institutions are usually in this group. The aspirants can apply to most courses and degrees during the fall semester, which begins in September.
• Winter intake, often January to May: this extends the fall admissions and provides a good course option.
• Summer, often May to August: this admission provides a restricted option of courses.

Expenses of living in Canada

Based on the university, course, and province, various payments are involved in studying in Canada. For undergraduate courses, the tuition fees for international students in Canada generally differ between 6,000 to 40,000 CAD annually, whereas graduate courses can cost up to 35,000 CAD annually. International students must pay for living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and books, including tuition fees. Based on the region or province, the expense of living in Canada differs; hence, students are expected to require between 15,000 to 20,000 CAD annually to meet living costs. It is vital to know that tuition percentages and living expenses can alter; students should inquire about the exact amount.