Source: thatsosnneha

Canada, the land of hockey and maple syrup, is a country in North America. It is often called the land of opportunities. It has a diverse society and has a wealth of resources. Its health care and education system are exemplary.

Some of the top universities in the world are located in Canada. Universities like McGill University, McMaster University, University of Alberta are some examples of the education institutes of Canada.

Studying at these universities is often a dream of students living outside of Canada. However, applying for a student visa intimidates many. Worry not! We have explained the Canada student visa requirement in simple terms:

There are a few requirements that need to be fulfilled to get a student visa in Canada:

• A study permit is a document issued by the immigration authorities of Canada that allows foreign students to study in Canada.
• A study permit only allows the student to enroll in Designated Learning Institutions.
• A letter of introduction, along with all the necessary documents are needed to be carried to Canada.
• You may also need to get a Temporary Resident Visa or an Electoral Travel Authorization (eTA), which allows access to the country as a student.
• You can apply for a student visa either offline on paper or submit an online application on the official Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.

Canada Student Visa Checklist

Below is a document checklist for the Canada student visa that needs to be submitted along with the application. The documents should be submitted in a fixed order, and the processing of the application could be delayed if any of the documents are missing or incorrect.

• Application for study permit made
• Family information
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
• Fee payment in an applicable format
• A valid passport
• Letter of acceptance from the university
• Any additional documents required by the responsible visa office

Documents Required For Canadian Visa

After getting acceptance from the applied universities in Canada students need to apply for their Study permits to Travel to Canada. But, before applying they need to check the documents based on the Canada Student Visa requirements. The following are the documents as per Canada student visa requirements.

• Passport: Students who want to visit Canada for study purposes or for working purposes need to have valid passports. Importantly, as per the Canadian High Commission, it should cover your whole staying period in Canada. For example, if you want to study in Canada this June at least you need to have your Passport validity from June 2022 to June 2024.

• English Language proficiency test scores: Students need to provide their English proficiency test scores at the time of the Visa application process. For this, they need to take TOEFL, IELTS exams as they are the most common and accepted English exams. Along with these, Canadian Universities also accept PTE exams scores too. 

• Passport Size Photos: Students need to provide 2 recent Passport size photos if they apply for visa application offline. If they are applying online they need a digital copy of a recent photo within 4MB.  And the size of the photo should be 35mm x 45mm and also with a plain background and neutral expressions. 

• Acceptance proof from the Designated Learning Institutions: Students need to provide the acceptance letter or invitation letter from the Designated Canadian Universities as proof at the time of the Canada Student Visa application process as it is a part of Canada Student Visa requirements.

• Evidence related to adequate Funds: As a part of Canada student visa requirements, students need to provide evidence for their financial support and funds to pay their tuition fees while staying in Canada. As per the Canadian Immigration authority, a student should have at least 10,000 to 11,000 CAD for a year to live in Canada.

• Immigration Medical Examination: International students from India need to take the Immigration Medical Exam(IME) as per the guidance of the Canada Migration Authority. Students need to book an appointment with a registered doctor before a week they start their visa application process. These doctors will check the health condition through Chest X-rays and other tests and upload the student’s results directly to the CIC.

• Letter of Intent: Students who want to get a Canadian Students Visa should provide the Letter of Intent or Statement of Purpose essay at the time of the Visa application process. It is an important part of Canada Student Visa requirements and students should clearly state their purpose for the Visit to Canada and the reasons to choose the particular institution to study in this essay. 

• Credit Card: Students who are paying the visa application fee online should only pay through credit card because the Visa application system only accepts only credit cards. however, the credit cards should not be not only yours, but they can also be of any of your family members.

• Additional Canada Student Visa requirements: In addition to the above documents the Visa application center also requests additional documents from students at the time of the Visa application interview. They are namely GMAT or GRE scorecards, payments proofs for return travel from the country, certificates related to higher school education, etc. 

Note: Students who want to study in Quebec, should require a certificate d’ acceptance du Quebec. And also they need a minimum amount of 11,000 CAD per year to stay. Along with these, Students also need English and French Translations of certificates and the statement from the Translator along with the certified copies of actual documents. 

Canada Student Visa Checklist Under SPP

SPP is the Student Partners Program launched in 2009 to aid students looking to study in Canada. It was launched in partnership with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). Under SPP, students who get accepted into SPP colleges are issued a student permit quickly.

Here’s the list of documents required for applying for a visa under SPP:

• Acceptance letter (under SPP)
• GIC
• Medical certificate
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Language test scores
• Proof of payment of tuition fee of the first year of the program

Canada Student Visa Checklist under General Category

Students applying for a visa under the non-SPP or General Category have to follow a process different from the SPP process. In the General category, an applicant is not required to obtain a GIC. Students have to provide proof of financial stability by submitting bank statements, etc.

Here’s the list of documents required for applying for a visa under the General category:

• Acceptance letter
• Academic transcripts and certificates 
• Proof of payment of tuition fee of the first year of the program
• Language test scores
• Medical certificate 
• Proof of work experience 
• Proof of financial stability

Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Student Visa

The following are the Eligibility criteria for students to get Canada Student Visa along with Canda Student Visa requirements.

• International students should have an acceptance letter from the designated Universities in Canada.
• They need to show that they have adequate funds to support themselves and also they can pay their tuition fees for the Universities.
• Students need to provide records related to clean background or proofs related to no criminal records. For these proofs, they should provide the police verification certificates to the Visa Application Center.
• Along with these, students need to p[rovide the medical records which show their fit according to their health conditions.
• Moreover, students should also state that they will leave the country after completion of their studies at the time of interview at the Visa application center.

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Check Out: SPP Colleges in Canada

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Canada Student Visa Requirement 2022

A study permit is the most important document for an international student since without it he wouldn’t be allowed to enter the country of his university. It also allows a student to work while studying on or off-campus if he desires. Applying for a study permit or visa in Canada is fairly easy as long as you follow the steps. But first, you must gather the required documents.

Let’s take a look at the list of documents required while applying for the study permit:

• Acceptance letter/ Proof of acceptance into a university
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC Certificate)
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Passport/ Travel Documents for proof of identity 
• Passport – size photographs
• Proof of financial stability/sufficient funds for stay in the country
• Letter of explanation (Letter should contain reasons for studying in Canada and)
• CAQ (Only required if a student is planning to study in Quebec for more than six months) 
• Police certificate (if required)

Minimum Percentage For Canada Student Visa

Achieving academic excellence and scoring great marks is even though desirable for universities and attracts more chances of getting selected, a student with a low percentage can also apply and fulfill their aspirations.

• The minimum percentage required is 60%.
• Some colleges also accept 50%-55%, but the acceptance rate is quite low.
• A low percentage of marks can be made up for by earning a better score in IELTS.
• The eligibility criteria differ in various universities.
• Writing a very strong Statement of Purpose can also look great on the application.

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Age Limit for Student visa in Canada

To study in Canada, you must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Even though there is no age limit, you need a study permit if you are a minor. Though the age limit varies with the province.

• You must be a Canadian or foreign youth of age between 18 to 35.
• Canada also accepts a study gap of 2-5 years for undergraduate and post-graduate courses.
• A study permit is not necessarily required if your course lasts six months or less.

Canada Student Visa Requirements after Post-Graduation 2021

Students, after completing their graduation also aspire to work there, taking up a good job depending upon their capabilities. For this, they require a Post-Graduation Work Permit that allows them to obtain Canadian work experience.

• The Post-Graduation work permit is offered for three years
• Also, several international students work during scheduled breaks, without a work permit.
• Getting a Permanent Resident (PR) visa after completion of education is also easy in Canada.

Canada Visa Requirements from India

A large number of Indian students aspire to study in Canada every year. With the number of Indian students applying to study in Canada has increased, Canada has made the Visa process for Indian students easy and fast.

• Indian students who have the required financial resources and language skills are eligible to opt for the recently introduced ‘Student Direct Stream’ (SDS) program.
• This cuts down the student visa process from 60 to 45 days.
• It is available to students opting for a college education at all designated learning institutions.
• For applying for a Canadian Visa for Indians, it is advisable to apply through a Visa Application in India.

Canada Student Visa Bank Statement Requirements

Proof of Funds or Financial Capacity is one of the basic requirements of the student visa application. This is required to give evidentiary proof that the students can pay for the fees as well as the normal living expenses during the stay in the country. A bank statement is one of the documents that is accepted as proof of funds.

• The statement should be in the name of the person specifically required. If parents/guardians are to support the education, the statement should be of the person’s savings account.
• It should be a scanned copy, duly stamped, and signed by the bank. It cannot be sent through an Email.
• The bank statement should be original, on the bank’s letterhead.
• Most universities specifically ask for six months’ bank statements.
• The tenure required should be specified.

How to apply for Canada Student Visa?

After getting the invitation from the applied Institutions from Canada students needs to apply for their Canadian student Visa. International students can apply for Canada Student visas Online and offline ways.

Online Application

The following are the steps to follow to apply for a Canadian Student Visa through online mode along with Canada Student Visa requirements.

• Step 1: Apply for Canada Student Visa Online through Citizenship Immigration Canada Website.
• Step 2: Scan the required documents and apply for the application form.
• Step 3: Next, visit the nearby VFS or VAC to submit the Passport details and also need to provide fingerprints to complete the Visa application process.
• Step 4: Provide the documents related to Medical records, acceptance letters from the applied University, Financial support proofs, etc to the Visa application authority.
• Step 5: pay the fees online and submit the payment proof to the VAC at the time of the Biometric section.
• Step 6: Finally, students can receive notification if their Canada Student Visa application form is accepted and later attend the interview to get the VIsa to study in Canada. They need to submit their passport details to the Government of Canada after receiving the notification. Thus, the Canada Government will provide temporary Residence or work permit visas for you. 

Offline application 

The following are the steps to follow to apply for Canada Student Visa by Offline way along with the Canada Visa requirements.

• Step 1: Firstly, Download the Canada Student Visa application form kit and study the instructions carefully. It contains information about the Canada Study permit details and the Canada student visa requirements.
• Step 2: Next, fill in the VFS consent form and attach it with the Visa application form. Because the VFS form is needed to get the services from the Visa application center to complete the Visa application process.
• Step 3: Next, pay the Visa application fees along with the VFS Global service charges at the Visa application center and these processing fees are non- refundable. 
• Step 4: Additionally, if your spouse or in-law partners or children are coming with you and if they apply for a Temporary Work permit visa or residential visa, or student Visas then you need to pay extra processing fees based on their permit period.
• Step 5: Finally, submit the application form at the VFS center or VAC along with the fee. Then you can get a receipt with a unique code to track your Visa application process details. 
• Step 6: At last, if your application is approved then you will get a notification from the Government of Canada that requests your passport details. Submit your passport information along with the application form at the VFS center or through the mail. Then you can get temporary residence or work permit visas.

Canada Student Visa Fees

The normal fee for a Canada Student visa requirement is 150 CAD which means around 8, 873 INR per student from India. And the fees keep on changing based on the Indian Rupee and Canadian Dollar exchange rates. Moreover, Students can pay the Canada Student Visa fees in both Online and Offline modes as the Applications are taken in both Online and offline modes. Along with that, students need to pay Biometric fees of 85 CAD in addition to the Student visa fee at the Visa application center. 

Notes : Students who are paying through Offline mode need to pay by taking a demand draft in the name of the High Commission of Canada. The Visa application centers( VAC) accept only cash payments. And also the service charges of VIsa application centers do not include in the Visa application fee. In addition, students who are paying Canada Student visa application fees online need to pay only through a Credit card.

Canada Student Visa Application Deadline

Submission of the Visa application is supported by a deadline, after which your application becomes invalid. The time taken to process the visa application may vary among visa offices. Due to this, you should start the application process early.

• You must apply as soon as you get an acceptance letter by the university to avoid any delay.
• You can apply upto three months before your intended date of travel to Canada.
• Your application date is the date you pay the fees.
• The processing time for a Visa is usually 90 days or less. For Indian students, this time has been reduced to 45-50 days to attract more students.

Canada Student Visa IELTS Band Requirements 2022

To study in Canada, apart from gaining academic excellence, you also need to be efficient in the English language, for which you also need to submit the English Language Proficiency Exam (IELTS) Score along with other required documents.

• In Canada, the IELTS score is necessary as proof of English Language Proficiency.
• For undergraduate courses, a minimum score of 5.5 in every four sections with an aggregate score of 6 is required.
• For postgraduate courses, a minimum score of 6 in every four sections with an aggregate score of 6.5 is required.
• The minimum score requirement is overseen by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
• The CLB score varies from 1 to 12, which corresponds to a particular IELTS score in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.

Canada Student Visa without IELTS

IELTS score is a necessary score when aspiring to study in Canada. It is proof of English Language Proficiency. A student needs to take an IELTS test and attach the acceptable score along with the other documents.

However, in case you don’t have an IETLS score, you can still apply for a study visa in the following ways-

• Other English Proficiency tests such as TOEFL
• The student must have studied in an English-medium school for four years.
• The country a student belongs to is English speaking.
• A student can also attend the university’s language school for a semester or a year.
• The online learning program is also a good way to improve English proficiency.
• Some universities accept a letter of recommendation from previous professors regarding a student’s English proficiency.
• Some universities also exempt the requirement of English Proficiency for selected nationalities.
• All universities accept other forms of English proficiency.

Canada New Rules For Student Visa 2021

The Canadian High Commission in India has announced the Student Partner Program (SPP) that has decided to bring changes new rules for Indian students in Canada. These changes are expected to affect the Canada Student Visa Requirements 2021 positively.

• The new rules are based on three points- proof of tuition fee payment, proof of fund or living expenses, and language ability.
• 1st Rule: students are needed to submit copies of fee payment receipt for one semester or year as requested by the institution under SPP.
• 2nd Rule: It states that the students are also to present proof of purchasing any Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).
• The price of this certificate is $10,000, which is meant to cover the expenses for the initial year for the student in the country.
• 3rd Rule: It is about language ability, the average IELTS test score shouldn’t be less than 6.0. Also, the individual score should not be lower than 5.5. The test result presented should be taken within 24 months.
• Apart from these changes, all the other rules and requirements are the same as before. Numerous colleges in Canada have started implementing these changes.
• Also, several banks in India have started to initiate the changes mentioned regarding education loans.

Canada Student Visa Regulations

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has laid down a few rules and regulations to ensure study permits go to capable and interested students and maintain the integrity of the study program:

• Students are required to submit their documents before the deadline in a prescribed form.
• Any mistakes will lead to rejection of the visa application.
• Students cannot stay in Canada after the expiration of their study permit.
• Study permits also apply to only authorized schools allowed to admit international students.
• Students are allowed to work part-time during the semester and full time during breaks on a study permit.
• Students are allowed to work after completing their graduation and getting a work permit.
• Co-op work permits are not available to international students.
• Registered Indians holding nationality outside of Canada can study in the country without a study permit.
• Students must perform a medical exam and be truthful about any previous illness.
• The medical examining doctor must submit the medical reports to the Canada Visa office,
• The student must go through the application procedure and regulations of the particular university they are intended to study in.

Canada Student Visa Fee

The fee for applying for a student visa in Canada is CAN$ 235, which includes CAN$ 150 for application of visa and CAN$ 85 for biometrics.

Canada Student Visa Tracking

After applying for a student visa, it is easy to track and know about the status of the application. This allows the student to remain updated and plan their further actions accordingly. Tracking can be done for both online and offline applications.

• If applied online, check your application by signing into the account on the official website.
• If applied offline, the application can either be checked by using the online tool or creating an online account and linking the application with it.
• In the case of offline application, the status will only be shown when the processing of the application starts.
• When the application process starts, an acknowledgment of receipt letter or email with an application number is sent.

Also Read: Canada without IELTS

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Canada Study Visa Time

Since applying for a visa is a legal process, it may take some time to process the application. It depends on the type of application submitted, duration of the stay, and where the application is being processed.

A student visa needs at least three days for processing. There is no interview process to get a Canadian student visa, which may reduce the processing time. Usually, it takes 30-45 days to get the student visa. It also varies from one country to another.

Canada Student Visa Rejection

Applying for a visa is a long process that needs to be done with extreme consciousness and carefully. Any mistake in the process can lead to the application being delayed or rejected. To make sure that doesn’t happen, keep in mind the following points-

• Make sure you have all the required documents.
• The letter of acceptance must be genuine.
• The college a student has applied to must be listed under the designated learning institutions list.
• A student should have good academic scores.
• The Statement of the Bank must be duly stamped and signed by the bank.
• The travel identity documents must be accurate.
• Make sure your statement of purpose is acceptable

There can be many reasons behind a student’s study permit application rejection. Often the reason for rejection may be reflected in the rejection letter. We have listed some of the common reasons behind the rejection of the study permit.

• Insufficient funds/ Financial instability
• Inadequate documents
• Wrong choice of program
• Poor performance in Language Proficiency test (IELTS/ TOEFL)
• Intent of student 

To avoid rejection, a student can take note of the common mistakes:

• Filling in wrong details in the visa application
• Not submitting complete documents
• Not mentioning past visa rejection and travel history
• Bad letter of intent
• Not making it clear your intentions to return to your home country

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Check Out: Top MBA colleges in Canada

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Canada Student Visa Rejection Reasons

As Canada remains to be the preferred destination for higher studies, getting a visa can be a rigorous and difficult process. As several students apply for a visa, it can be quite difficult to obtain one. The following can be the reasons for rejection of the visa application-

• Authorities may find that a student is not financially stable enough to support his education.
• If the candidate doesn’t meet all the requirements of the course applied.
• Inadequate travel history.
• If the candidate is a potential immigrant.
• If the study program you chose does not match the educational background.
• Documents are inadequate or incorrect.
• Improperly filled out forms.

What to do if Canada Student Visa gets Rejected?

When a study permit is rejected, the reason behind the rejection can be anything. The reason is often mentioned in the rejection letter and if a student needs more information on his rejection, he can contact the visa office that sent him the rejection letter. An applicant can either appeal the decision or submit a fresh application after rejection. Filing an appeal is a long and tiring process which is why it is recommended that an applicant submit a new application.

In case your visa is rejected due to any of the reasons given above, you can re-apply with the proper documents. Having the right and accurate information is important to make sure the application isn’t rejected again.

• Initially, you can request the immigration officer to reconsider and re-evaluate the original decision.
• Next, if the refusal seems to be on no grounds, a student can appeal with the Immigration Adjudication Division or Federal Court of Canada.
• This can be done within 30 days of the first application, preferably with the help of a lawyer. You can reapply for a visa immediately after the first one gets rejected.
• Since the rejected application goes into your record, make sure to rectify the mistake made earlier. Have enough evidentiary proof to support the documents.
• If it was rejected due to language inefficiency, you could also work on the same.
• You can also seek the help of an immigration lawyer or online service provider to get proper advice and assistance.

Canada Student Visa SOP

Universities in Canada have been considered a great choice for higher education, due to which there is extreme competition. Although admission to any Canadian university is based on academic performance.

Some universities may also require you to write a Statement of Purpose for admission purposes. It is the most important part of your documents and should be written carefully and attentively.

What to Write?

Here are some Dos and Don’ts of writing an SOP:

• Having an interesting start to your essay helps maintain the attention of the person reading it. Make it clear and catchy.
• Write about why you chose Canada over any other country. Also, mention a valid reason for choosing the particular university you are interested in.
• Write a bit about yourself, mention how your school and the extracurricular activities have enhanced your overall personality.
• Write about any past work experiences and contributions.
• Mention your views or outlook regarding a certain issue that you may feel is important. You should also mention your short term and long term goals, and how you aspire to achieve them.

What not to write?

• Do not be overconfident about yourself in writing your SOP. Make it subtle and write about the achievements that made you do better.
• The essay shouldn’t be too short or too long.
• While writing the essay, language should be given top priority. Use simple but effective language that is easy to understand and comprehend.
• Do not write about anything that has no relevance to your course or interests.
• Make your SOP unique. Do not copy and paste.

Canada Student Visa Medical Exam

If you want to study and stay in Canada for more than six months, you need a student visa for which you have to undergo a medical examination. This is done to make sure that the aspirant has no fatal or infectious diseases, to protect public health.

The medical exam needs to be done either before applying or within 30 days of receiving the instructions.

• The medical exam will be done by a designated medical practitioner (DMS).
• You need to carry proper identification, your eyeglasses (If you wear them), any medical report or test results of any previous condition and, passport size photographs at the time of the examination.
• The expenses for the medical test are to be borne by the candidate.
• You will have to undergo the following tests, physical examination, blood test, urinalysis, chest x-ray, and any other test prescribed by the officials.
• The doctor will also fill out a medical questionnaire with you regarding any past or existing medical conditions.
• The doctor submits all the test results and documents to the Canada Immigration Department.
• The doctor also forwards you the medical report form that you need to attach to your application before submitting it to the Canada visa office.
• These medical exam results are valid only for 12 months, after which you may need to do another exam if you don’t visit Canada as a student.
• Medical reports and X-rays are not returned to the candidate and are kept permanently by the immigration authority.

Canadian Student Visa Processing Time

The Processing Time for Canada Student visas depends on the number of students applied and the Student’s Home country situation. However, the approximate processing time for a Canadian Student visa will take at least 3-4 weeks or 90 days for Indian applicants. But with the help of the Student Direct Team or SDS students can get their Study Permits within 20 days. Moreover, the Canadian Student Visa processing time is affected by many issues along with the application forms acceptance or rejection by the IRCC authority.

FAQs

Also Visit:

1. Canada Student Visa
2. Canada Student Visa Process
3. Canada Student Visa Eligibility & Rules
4. Canada Student Visa Interview