Are you stressing out on how difficult might be to get your student visa for Canada? This step is as important as deciding what you want to study. In this article, we have described the main steps for getting your Canadian student visa. Read on.
Get an acceptance letter from your preferred university
Make sure you are confident about studying in Canada before you can begin with your student visa application process. Once you get accepted at a Canadian university, they will send you an acceptance letter required to apply for the visa.
Check if you fall under the category of the Canadian study permit
If any of the following situations applies to you, then you don’t need to apply for a study visa:
- You belong to a family or work as a staff member of a Canadian foreign representative, who is recognized by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development;
- You have enrolled in a short-term (less than six months)study program;
- You hold a position in the foreign armed forces (Visiting Forces Act.);
- Your citizenship status of a foreign country is registered in Canada.
Begin your Canadian visa application
Soon after receiving the acceptance letter from the university, you can move on to the student permit application steps:
- Apply online on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website to generate your Canadian student visa;
- If your nation has limited internet access you can apply for visa offline;
- Present an acceptance letter from a designated academic institution, recognized by the Government of Canada;
- Showcase proof of substantial financial resources to support your stay in Canada (including tuition fees and living expenses);
- Proof of no criminal record;
- Submit clinical records and complete medical examinations stating you are in good health.
Gather all the documents needed
- Filled in the academic visa application form;
- The letter of acceptance from the university in the original form
- A valid passport (or travel document)that will allow you to come back to your home country(not necessary for candidates living in the U.S.A.);
- Two recently taken passport-size photographs, specifying your name and date of birth on its back;
- Proof of financial support (between 10,000 and 11,000 CAD annually for living in Canada) during your study programme;
- A letter of intent, stating the purpose of your study;
- Proof of the study permit fee payment (150 CAD)
Qualify the language requirements for Canadian universities
All Canadian universities will demand proof of English language proficiency(exempting students coming from an English-speaking nation). Accepted language tests include ꟷ IELTS, Cambridge English(Advanced) and TOEFL
- Prepare for biometrics appointment and interviewYou must show up at a Visa Application Centre and have your biometrics taken, based on the rules of your home country. There is a biometric fee of 85 CAD, in addition to the regular visa application fee.
