Canada Study Visa Guide: Requirements, Fees, Application Process

Canada Study Visa: International students are still coming to Canada in large numbers. While having high academic credentials is required to be admitted to Canada’s best universities, study permits provide the right to study. For students, the embassy price for a study visa to Canada is CAD 150.
Upon arrival in Canada, students are granted a student permit to stay in Canada. However, in order to get there, a student must first apply for a Visa Application Centre- and Canadian High Commission-facilitated Temporary Resident Visa.
This post will tell you everything you need to know about Canada’s requirements for student visas, including which documentation is needed to obtain a study permit.

What is a Canada Study Permit?

A student visa is a document that international students need to study in Canada. It is issued by Canadian immigration authorities. Without a valid study permit, international students are not permitted to study in Canada.
In addition, students can enroll in accredited colleges and universities if they have a study visa. An educational institutions that has been given permission by a province or territory government to accept international students is known as a designated learning institution (DLI).

Latest Updates for Canada Study Visa

As of April 30, 2024, international students are permitted to work off campus for up to 24 hours per week. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, recently announced that we plan to increase the maximum amount of time students can work off campus to 24 hours per week.
This announcement is meant for all foreign students enrolled in Canadian colleges and universities.
Canada released the NET Zero First Growth Model on April 5, 2024, in an effort to maintain a stable number of study permits. In 2024, a total of 485,000 Canada student visas will be awarded, according to Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
Based on the expected amount of studies permits expiring this year, this figure represents the updated total of 364,000 approved study permits in 2024.
January 23, 2024 In an effort to reduce the demand for housing and social services, Canada has imposed a two-year cap on new international student permits.
The Canadian Immigration Ministry estimates that 364,000 foreign students will be granted study visas by 2024. The government has reduced the number of permits by one-third and placed a temporary cap.

Getting your Study Permit Canada

Canada Study Visa You must travel to Canada with the Letter of Invitation and all required documentation. You would encounter an immigration officer at the airport.
Present your passport and your letter of invitation to the immigration agency official. They will verify the information and, if it proves sufficient, will grant you a study permit.

Eligibility Criteria for Study Permit Canada

The requirements for a Canada student visa are listed below:

  • You must be an international citizen who is completely immunized. Among the approved vaccines are AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Bharat Biotech Covaxin, and others.
  • A designated learning institute (DLI) has granted you admission.
  • It is important for you to prove that you have sufficient money to cover your tuition, living expenses while in Canada, and return airfare for you and any family members travelling with you.
  • You must provide evidence of your completely clean past and lack of criminal activity. To prove this, the candidates must present a police verification certificate.
  • You must have a medical certificate attesting to your excellent health and complete a health examination.Also at the time of the visa interview, you need to convince the visa officer that you will leave Canada once you complete your studies.

Which Documents are required for Canada Study Visa?

As soon as you receive the university admission letter, you should apply for a Study Permit Canada. If you want to apply for the September intake, you should start the visa application procedure in June.
The following documentation is required in order to apply for a student visa to Canada.

  • A current passport In order to apply for a study permit, candidates seeking a Canada study visa must have a valid passport. According to the Canadian High Commission, you need a passport that is good for the duration of your anticipated stay in Canada.
    For example, your passport should be valid until at least September 2026 if you intend to travel to Canada in September 2024 for a two-year course.
  • Verification of Approval from an Accredited Educational Institution

The acceptance letter from the college or other institution you intend to attend is required. A university that has the Immigration Department’s recognition is known as a Designated Learning Institute. (For your information, below is a list).
A CAQ (Québec Acceptance Certificate) is also required if you are applying for Quebec. The government of Quebec is the one issuing it. The CAQ application details will be sent to you by your college or institution. But you don’t need a CAQ if your studies last fewer than six months.

  • Proof of Funds When you apply for a study permit, you will need to provide evidence of your financial capacity. By today’s standards, you would have to show that you would have the money to cover both your tuition and living expenses.
    According to Canadian Immigration, a student needs at least CAD 20,635 for each year they plan to be there. In addition to the first two, the student would also need to demonstrate that they had sufficient money for a return trip. These tools can be used to demonstrate funds:

    • Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a licensed Canadian financial institution;
    • Canadian bank account
    • Student loan or education loan
    • Bank statements covering the previous four months
    • A bank draft that can be exchanged for Canadian dollars.
    • A letter from a person or organization that has given you money; • Evidence of tuition and housing fees paid and Proof of financing paid from within Canada (in the event of a scholarship or an educational program financed by the Canadian government).

Whether you remain in Quebec or outside of it determines the minimum bank balance required for a student visa to Canada. Furthermore, it is contingent upon the number of individuals travelling with you while in Canada.

    • Person – Funds Required Annually (excluding tuition fee) – Outside Quebec
    • Primary applicant – CAD 10,000
    • First family member – CAD 4,000
    • Every additional member – CAD 3,000

The table given below provides the minimum bank balance for Canada Student Visa outside

The table given below provides the minimum bank balance for Canada Student Visa (in Quebec):

    • 1 person (under 18 years) – CAD 6,569
    • 1 person (18 years or above) –  CAD 13,134
    • 2 persons (18 years or above) – CAD 19,264
    • 2 persons (18 years or above) 1 person (under 18 years) – CAD 21,579
    • 2 persons (18 years or above) 2 persons (under 18 years) – CAD 23,290
  • Passport-sized photos Two passport-sized photos that meet the requirements will be required if you choose to submit your application offline. The online version of the photo, which should not exceed 4MB, is required for an online application.
    Additional requirements include wearing no headgear (unless it’s for religious purposes), a plain background, and a standard calm facial expression.
    Note: Your name and age must be put on the back of each photo. The photograph must be at least 35 mm by 45 mm and recent—not older than six months.
  • The IME, or Immigration Medical Examination , International students from other countries are required by Canadian immigration to take an Immigration Medical Examination, administered by medical professionals with accepted certification.
    It is required of students to schedule a visit with one of the listed medical professionals for a medical examination, ideally one week before to beginning the visa application process.
    This will allow the doctor enough time to verify and upload the required files. It is generally advisable to make an appointment in advance with the closest facility or practitioner using the list of hospitals that have been appointed.
    The doctor will do a thorough physical examination and might recommend blood work and a chest X-ray. When the doctor has finished your exam, CIC will receive the results.
  • Results of the English Language Proficiency ExamWe strongly advise that you take the English Language Proficiency Test and get your score before beginning the visa application process, even if it is not required at the time of application.
    As it is, in order to verify your acceptance to the Canadian University, you would have needed to submit your English language competence score. It is acceptable to use the TOEFL, IELTS, etc.
  • Statement of purpose, Another name for this is a Letter of Explanation. You would need to send in an essay explaining why you are going to Canada and that you are aware of your obligations as a student in order to apply for a Canadian study permit.
    The checklist would ask for this as an optional item, but we highly advise that you submit the same.
  • Bank Card If you are applying online, a credit card is also needed to cover the application fee for a Canada student visa. For students, the embassy fee for a study visa to Canada is CAD 150. Please keep in mind that debit cards are not accepted by the system; only credit cards are.

Furthermore, it’s not required that it be your credit card. If you have your parents’ express consent, you are also welcome to use their cards.
In addition to the previously stated, you would require access to a digital scanner if applying online. All of the documents mentioned above must be originals if you are applying offline.
You should be aware that in order to apply online, you will need to download and complete a few documents, print and sign them, and then upload them. It is therefore necessary to prepare for the scanner’s availability. Additionally, the system lets you upload a high-resolution digital picture.
However, we advise getting a camera scanner During the personal interview, the interviewer could ask to see further documents. These could be transcripts or financial records attesting to the student’s status.
These might consist of Documentation from the schools you attended, including transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates; test results from the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT; your intention to leave Canada after completing the program; and the means of covering all of your living and educational expenses

How to Apply for a Canadian Visa for Study

To apply for a student visa to Canada, follow the instructions given below.

  • Verify the processing duration: The processing period for student study visas to Canada is six weeks (not including the time needed for biometrics). It is advisable to check the website of the Canadian consulate to track your application and find out how long it takes to complete your student visa.
  • Determine your application strategy: To apply, there are two options:

(a) Apply online: To apply online, you’ll need a working credit card to make payments and a scanner or camera to scan and make electronic copies of your papers to upload. Your finger print will still be needed at the local Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Recall that for online applications, you must visit the VFS offices to turn in your passports and submit the form confirmation.
In order to obtain a student visa for Canada, you must also pay the embassy fees. The only difference in the stages would be the documentation you would need to bring to the VAC.

(b) Fill out an application: Go through the instructions and download the application material. You may find important information regarding study permits and guidance on how to finish your application in the instruction guide. Utilize the document checklist and thoroughly read the guide.

Only two circumstances allow you to submit an application on paper:

  • In the instance that an injury stops you from applying online
  • If you are a homeless person, refugee, or holder of an identity or travel document for non-national residents

(c) At an entrance point: At a port of entry, the following may also be applicable:

  • US citizens; • Ukrainian nationals or members of their families
  • Permanent resident of the United States, or lawfully student
  • A resident of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon; • A resident of Greenland
  • Completion of the VFS Consent Form should be attached to your application. To receive help from VFS services with your visa application, you must fill out this form.
  • Pay the processing fee: Please be aware that in addition to VFS Global service fees, visa fees must be paid when submitting an application through the VFS, in person, or by mail. In all circumstances, the processing charge is not refundable.
  • You must pay the relevant processing fees if you are applying for work permits, study permits, or temporary resident visas for your spouse, common-law partner, or children who will be travelling with you.
  • Send in your application together with the necessary paperwork: The closest VFS office must be visited. When you go there, give them your completed application, pay the service fees, and receive a receipt. Your special tracking number is on this receipt, and you can use it to monitor the status of your application online.
    The Canadian government will notify you and request your passport if your application is accepted.
    Both the passport and the letter requesting a passport may be submitted in person or via VFS. You would be provided with a Temporary Resident Visa and a Letter of invitation.

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