For Indian students planning to study in Canada, a student visa is a crucial requirement. A Canadian Study Permit (commonly known as a student visa) is a legal document required by all international students to study in Canadian institutions.
This makes it vital for students to know what the Canadian student visa process entails, including eligibility requirements, documentation, visa fees, and processing times, to avoid any delays and pitfalls.
Key highlights:
- Study Permits for Indian Students
- Eligibility and Basic Requirements for Canada’s Student Visa Process
- Documents Required for Canada’s Student Visa Procedure
- How to Apply to Canada’s Study Visa: Step-by-step Process
- What are the Visa Fees and Biometrics Requirements?
- Average Processing Time and Application Timeline in 2025
- Tips to Avoid Delays and Common Pitfalls
- Tracking Your Visa Application
Study Permit for Indian Students
There is only one type of Canadian student permit, officially known as the Study Permit. This document allows international students to study at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada.
Eligibility and Basic Requirements for Canada’s Student Visa Process
To get a Study Permit, students must ensure that they are:
- Enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
- Financially equipped to pay for tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation.
- Law-abiding citizens with a police certificate for good character (if needed)
- Medically certified to be in good health (if needed)
Documents Required for Canada’s Student Visa Procedure
To initiate Canada’s study visa process, you need the following documents:
- Letter of acceptance from a Canadian DLI
- Provincial or Territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) from your Canadian institute (needed in most cases)
- Proof of identity (Passport and two recent passport-size photos)
- Proof of funds
- A letter of explanation stating why you want to study in Canada, and that you understand your responsibilities as an international student. (Recommended)
- English proficiency tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
How to Apply to Canada’s Study Visa: Step-by-step Process
Here is the step-by-step process for Canada’s student visa:
- Prepare all documents.
- Indian students must apply online via Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Secure Account.
- Get a camera or scanner ready to create electronic copies of documents, and a valid credit or debit card handy.
- Fill the application form using the instruction guide.
- Pay the Study Permit processing fee and biometric fee.
- Submit your application and check for the Biometrics Instruction Letter.
- Visit the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) for fingerprints and a photograph.
- Check application status from your IRCC account.
- Once approved, download the Port of Entry Letter of Introduction.
- You will get your study permit at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada.
What are the Canada Student Visa Fees and Biometrics Requirements?
To get a Canadian study permit, you need to pay two main fees: C$150 for the study permit and C$85 for biometrics (or C$170 for a family). For biometrics, you’ll give your fingerprints and photo at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). Your application will only be processed after you complete this step.
Average Processing Time and Application Timeline in 2025
For the most up-to-date Canada student visa processing times, it’s best to check the official IRCC website, as they vary depending on your application and location. The current processing time for applications from India is typically 3 weeks, starting when IRCC receives your complete application.
Tips to Avoid Delays and Common Pitfalls
- Scan and Save Documents: Create digital copies of every document in PDF/JPEG format.
- Follow the IRCC Guide: Install the “Visa Office Instructions” PDF for India from the IRCC website to check for any country-specific requirements and updates.
- Organised Paperwork: Submit your documents in the order they appear on the checklist.
- Attention to Detail: Make sure all names, dates, and spellings are correct and match across all documents.
- Keep Original Documents: You may be asked to present original documents at the Visa Application Centre or port of entry.
- By organising paperwork and following official guidelines, you can reduce delays and present a strong application for your Study Permit.
Also Read: Why Canada for Indian Students Is a Top Study Choice in 2025
Tracking Your Visa Application
If you want to track your student visa application, you can use IRCC’s application status tracker, which is available on the official Canadian immigration website. Simply create an account with a unique client identifier (UCI) and your application number. With these details, you can keep track of your application and monitor the progress.
Canada, with its top-ranking universities, lucrative job market, and high-quality life, is the perfect destination for international students in 2025. If you are worried about funding your studies abroad, you don’t need to. At Avanse Finance Services, we offer student loans with 100% financing, quick approvals, and flexible repayment options so that you can fund your studies independently and focus completely on your course.
So, don’t let finances hold you back. With easy education loan eligibility and student-centric benefits, make your dream of studying in Canada a reality. If you have any queries on an education loan for studying abroad, we are just a call away.
