Canada is one of the leading study abroad destinations in the world. Its prestigious universities offering world-class education, better career prospects, and a welcoming environment attract a steady volume of international students every year. To study in Canada, you need a study visa. A study visa or study permit allows an international student to study in Canada. If you want to know more about the study permit, like its eligibility criteria, application proces, and other related information, this guide is for you.

Key Highlights

• How to get a study visa for Canada - eligibility criteria
• How to apply for a study permit to Canada?
• Online application
• Offline (on paper) application
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to get a study visa for Canada - eligibility criteria

• You need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). DLI is an educational institution approved by the territorial or provincial Canadian government to host international students.
• Please ensure you have adequate proof of sufficient funds to meet your expenses, like tuition fees, living expenses, and transportation expenses. If any family member is accompanying you to Canada, prove that you have adequate funds to support their living and transportation fare.
• A police verification certificate to prove that you are a law-abiding citizen with no criminal history
• A medical certificate validating that you are in a good health

Last but not least, you also need to convince the immigration officer that you will leave Canada post-completion of the course.

How to apply for a study permit to Canada?
Online and offline are two ways to apply for a Canadian study permit. Let’s discuss them one by one:

Online application: The online application process is as follows:

• Create an online account on Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) official website.
• Fill out the complete application form correctly.
• Create electronic copies of your documents with a high-quality camera or scanner. Upload them along with your application form.
• Keep a valid credit or debit card handy to pay the application processing fee and biometric fee. The biometric fee includes the cost of collecting digital photos and fingerprints. The visa application fee is 150 CAD (~8,871 INR), and the biometric fee is 85 CAD (~5,030 INR).
• Visit the regional Visa Application Centre (VAC) office to give your biometrics.

Offline (on paper) application: You can apply offline under two conditions only.

• In case of a disability
• If you hold a travel or identity document for non-national residents, stateless persons or refugees

You can apply offline via the Canadian embassy or consulate. It is advised to download the application kit and read the instructions carefully before submitting your application form. Kindly visit the VAC to submit an application form and supporting documents. Pay the visa processing and biometric fees via a valid credit or debit card and obtain a receipt. This receipt will contain a unique tracking number to track your application status online.
Whether you choose an online or offline medium, some of the supporting documents you need to submit along with an application form are as follows:

• A valid passport
• Letter of acceptance from a DLI
• Financial proofs like Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), a Canadian bank account in your name, bank statements, etc. 
• English language proficiency exam score of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Statement of purpose

The Canadian embassy will check your application and the attached documents. They may return your application if it is incomplete. They will ask you to appear for an interview in your home country as a standard visa procedure. If the application is approved, the study permit will be issued. Please remember that the fees will not be refunded whether your visa is approved or rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q.1. What is the processing time for a Canadian study visa?
Ans. The processing time for a Canadian study visa is ~12 weeks.

Q.2. Can you get Canadian student visas easily?
Ans. If you meet the set criteria, pay the required fees, submit all the documents, and clear the biometric and visa interview, the process will be easy for you.
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