Canada is frequently rated as one of the greatest countries in the world, and it is now the best country in terms of quality of life. When you study in Canada, you will obtain an internationally recognised education from some of the world’s best academics and researchers. Before the Study permit is an important requirement that allows you to study in Canada. In this article, I will share all the important information you need to know about Canadian study permits and student visas.

Canada Student Visa vs Canada Study Permit

Before we go any further, it is important to know the difference between a Canadian student visa and a study permit. Although often confused to mean one and the same thing, there are some differences between these two documents. A Student Visa, also known as a TRV, is a document that allows you to enter and re-enter Canada only while it is valid. A Study Permit, on the other hand, is a document that allows you to lawfully study and stay in Canada as a student for the duration of the permit. When you initially enter Canada with your student visa and enrollment letter, it’s usually issued at the port of entry (POE) and stapled to your passport.

Technically, the Canadian government does not issue a ‘Student Visa’.  You will get a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) after your study permit is accepted, and you will be able to enter Canada with either of them.

The major difference is, the student visa allows you to enter Canada for studies while the study permit allows you to study at the Canadian institution of your choice. Because we already explained what a student visa is in the previous article, I will skip the details and go right over to explaining what a Canadian study permit is.

Canada Study Permit

Although an exceptional academic grade is still required for admission to Canada’s Top Universities, a Study Permit is used to authenticate the permission to study. You will need a study permit upon entering Canada if you want to pursue academic, professional, or vocational training at a university, college, or other academic institution. Students are given a study permit when they arrive in Canada. The study permit has to be for a designated learning institution (DLI), and the application fee is C$150. Your study permit will not allow you to enter Canada on its own, and you may be required to obtain Electronic Travel Authorization in addition to your permit. With a Canadian Study Permit, you may be able to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week.

The study permit acts as a student visa for the duration of your stay. If your study program is six months or shorter, you do not need a Canadian study permit. However, applying for a permit before traveling to Canada is a sensible move – because, if you chose to proceed your studies in a different program, you will have to leave Canada and apply for a study permit through a visa office in your home country. To get there, however, a student must first apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), which is issued by the Canadian High Commission and supported by Visa Application Centers. The TRV is a document issued by the Canadian Visa Office and placed in the passport of an applicant to confirm that he or she is a temporary resident of Canada (student, tourist, visitor or worker). As long as all of the admission requirements are met. The designated Visa application centers for Canadian Visas are VFS Global Services.

If you desire to continue your studies after receiving a Canadian study permit, you can apply to extend it from within Canada. A study permit allows full-time students enrolled in a recognized institution of higher education to work part-time on campus. You may also be able to work off-campus, participate in an internship as part of your degree, become a permanent resident of Canada, or find employment after graduation.

Canada Study Permit Eligibility Criteria

If you meet the following requirements, you may apply for a study visa in Canada:

• You have been accepted into a recognised educational institution
• You must demonstrate that you have the funds to cover your tuition and living expenses.
• You must demonstrate that you have a spotless record and have never been convicted of a crime. To establish this, the candidates must present a police certificate.
• You must have a physical examination and produce a medical certificate stating that you are in excellent health.
• You must also assure the visa officer during the visa interview that you will leave Canada after your studies are completed.

Canada Study Permit Process

• Obtain a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI)
• Download an application package or apply for the permit online.
• Pay the application fee and keep the receipt as proof.
• Obtain a medical examination from a panel physician licensed in your country.
• You will be notified of the outcome of your application.

  

Student Direct Stream

Residents of certain countries can apply for a visa through the Student Direct Stream, which can speed up the process.

If you are a permanent citizen of one of the following countries, you can apply through the Student Direct Stream:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Brazil
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• India
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• the Philippines
• Senegal
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vietnam

Canada Student Visa Requirements

For your study permit application, you will need to gather specific documents. Your financial situation will play a significant role in determining whether or not your study visa will be approved. The Canadian government must be able to see that you will be able to support yourself financially throughout your education, whether through savings or a sponsor such as a parent.

To apply for a Canadian Study Permit, you will typically need the following:

• A valid travel passport: In order to apply for a Canadian student visa, you must have a valid travel passport. According to the Canadian High Commission, you must have a passport that is valid for the duration of your anticipated stay in Canada.
• Proof of Financial Support: You will be required to present proof of funds when applying for your Study Permit. According to current requirements, you must demonstrate that you will be able to pay our tuition fees as well as cover living expenses. According to Canadian Immigration, a student will need at least CAD 10,000 for each year of their stay. Aside from the above two requirements, the student must also demonstrate that he or she has the cash to make a reasonable return. You must produce proof of payment of fees as well as the stipulated cost of living of CAD 10,000 while filling out the application form. If you want to apply for Quebec, you will need at least CAD 11,000 for each year you plan to stay.
• Supporting Document: All study permit applications must include extensive supporting documentation. The documents required differs by country. You can visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website to find the documentation required for a certain place, or you can call our firm and one of our Educational Counsellors will contact you with that information.
• Two Passport-sized Photographs: If you are submitting your application by mail, you will need two passport-sized photographs that meet the requirements. You must obtain a digital copy of the photograph for online application, which should not exceed 4MB. Other basic requirements include a neutral facial expression, a plain background, and no headgear, unless for religious reasons.
  Note:
  The image should be at least 35 mm × 45 mm in size.
  The image should be current (not older than 6 months)
• Immigration Medical Examination (IME): International students are required by Canadian Immigration to pass a mandatory Immigration Medical Examination by appointed doctors. Students should schedule an appointment with any of the listed doctors for a medical examination at least one week before they begin their Visa application. This gives the doctor adequate time to verify and upload all of the required documentation. It is usually advisable to make an appointment in advance with the nearest facility/ practitioner from the list of accredited doctors. A comprehensive medical exam will be performed by the panel physician, who may also recommend you for chest x-rays and laboratory investigations. The physician will transmit the results to CIC once your checkup is concluded.
• English Proficiency Test Result: Though it is not required at the time of application, we strongly advise you to take the English Language Proficiency Test and obtain your score before beginning the Visa Application Process. To confirm your acceptance to the Canadian university, you would have required to submit your English language competence score. TOEFL, IELTS, and other similar tests are all recognised.
• Statement of Purpose: When applying for a Canadian Study Permit, you must submit an essay explaining why you are visiting Canada and why you have picked the specific institution. The review will ask you to submit this as an optional document, however we strongly advise you to do so.
• Credit Card: If you are submitting an application online, you will need a credit card to pay the application fee. The fee for applying for a visa in Canada is CAD 160. Please keep in mind that only credit cards and not debit cards are accepted by the system. It is also not required that it be your credit card. You can also use your parents’ credit cards if you have their permission.

*It Is possible that you will be asked to supply your biometrics as well. This must be done at a Visa Application Center in your country that has been approved.

How to Apply for a Canadian Student Visa:

• Check the processing timelines: The visa application procedure could take 3-4 weeks. It I s a good idea to look at the website of the Canadian consulate to find out how long it takes to process a student visa. Please keep in mind that the time shown is only approximate and not a guarantee.
• Decide how to Apply: There are two options for submitting an application:
  (a) Online application.
  To apply online, you’ll need a scanner or camera to make electronic copies of your documents for uploading, as well as a valid credit card. At the regional Visa Application Centre, you will still be needed to produce a finger scan (VAC). Remember that if you submit an online application, you must visit the VFS offices to pick up your passports and produce proof of form and fee payment. The only difference between the phases is the documentation you’ll need to bring to the VAC.

  (b) Submit your application in person.
  Read the instruction guide and download the application materials. The instruction booklet offers vital study permit information as well as directions to assist you in completing your application. Use the document checklist and read the guide thoroughly.

• Fill out and attach the VFS Consent Form to your application form: You will need this form if you want VFS to help you with your visa application.
• Pay the processing cost: Visa fees must be paid in addition to VFS Global service charges whether submitting an application via the VFS, in person or by mail. In all situations, the processing charge is non-refundable.
  Note: If your spouse and/or children are joining you, you must pay the relevant processing costs for them when applying for temporary resident visas, work permits, or study permits.

You must visit the nearest VFS office to submit your application and supporting documentation. When you arrive, pay the service fees and hand over your completed application for a receipt. This receipt provides your unique tracking number, which you will need to track your application’s status online.

If your application is successful, the Government of Canada will send you a letter requesting your passport. ou can submit your passport and passport request letter in person or through VFS. A Temporary Resident Visa and a Letter of Introduction would be offered to you.

Canada Student Visa Processing Time

Prior to submitting an application for a Canada Study Permit, you should have a general understanding of how long it will take to receive official approval. This actually makes your visa process a lot easier and less stressful.
The processing time for a Canadian Student Visa is normally 3 to 4 weeks. However, this is only an estimate. Many factors might have a huge impact on the time it takes for a Canadian student visa to be processed.

The processing time begins the moment your application is received by the Embassy or the immigration office. Below is a list of factors that impact the duration it takes to obtain a student visa:

• The type of visa application you submitted
• Submission of an application with complete and correct information
• Whether or not supporting documents have been presented
• The immigration office is experiencing congestion.
• The speed you respond to the commission’s requests or inquiries
• A change in government might also affect the time it takes to process a visa.

When to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit

Because there are several processes to applying for a study permit, and processing time-frames vary widely from country to country, it is essential to prepare early to guarantee that your permission is processed before your study term begins. The bulk of higher educational programs in Canada begins in September, January, or May, while some programs have intakes outside of those months.

Because a foreign national cannot apply for a study permit unless they have received an acceptance letter, you should check the start date and application process for their desired schools and programs well in advance to ensure you have enough time to obtain the acceptance letter and complete the study permit application.

What to do if Canada Student Visa Application is Rejected

If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) deny your study permit, there are two options for dealing with the refusal:

• You have the right to appeal the decision: If the foreign national believes their application complied with all IRCC standards, but the study visa was denied unfairly or wrongly, they can appeal the decision and request a review.
• Submit a new application: If the applicant believes the grounds for rejection are justified, their only option is to file a fresh application. You should pay special attention to the past grounds for refusal in the new application. In addition, any documents that require updating should be updated.

The refusal of a study permit application will be noted in a letter sent to the unsuccessful applicant by the visa officer. The visa officer will state the reason(s) for refusal from a list of pre-determined options in the rejection letter. This list of refusal reasons simply provides the most basic information about the reasons for the denial.

When an application is denied, the applicant has the right to request the notes of the visa officer who made the decision. It is extremely advised that these notes be requested because they will inform the applicant on how to effectively deal with the refusal. After receiving the case notes from the visa officer, an applicant can determine if the grounds for the refusal are valid.

For further information, visit the official website for Canada immigration for more information.