Canada Student Visa might seem a little confusing because of the way it is issued. Every year thousands of Indian students apply to study in Canada because of the prosperous career opportunities after completing studies in Canada. If you are an Indian student wanting to study abroad, Canada should be one of the top countries on your priority list. Along with BTech in Canada, there are hundreds of UG or PG courses in Canada which can help you shape your career the way you want. No matter what course you want to pursue, it’s mandatory for international students to have a valid study permit, which is one of the types of visas, to stay in Canada throughout the duration of their studies.
So, in this blog, let’s understand about Student Visa to study in Canada. Many students are confused about the difference between Student Visa and Study Permit in Canada. If you are also one among them, you will get a clear understanding by the end of this blog.
Canada Student Visa
First, you need to enroll in a designated learning institute in Canada to be eligible for applying for a Student Visa. To study in Canada, you, as an international need two crucial documents. The first one is Study Permit, and the second one is a temporary resident visa. The validity of the study permit usually matches the duration of the course you are going to study in Canada. But, an international student can’t enter Canada with just a Study Permit. This Study Permit only validates that you are legally staying in Canada for the purpose of the study. But, to enter Canada, you should have a temporary resident visa/visitor visa, which will be checked at the airport after you arrive in Canada.
Canada Study Permit
A study permit is a document that grants permission to international students to stay in Canada while studying. It’s considered illegal for international students to stay in Canada for the purpose of studying without a valid study permit.
It’s worth noting that a study permit is valid only for 90 days after the end date of the course you enrolled in. After this period, you should either return to your home country or apply for a post-graduation work permit.
This crucial document contains the following details.
- Your purpose of visit to Canada.
- The level of course you are currently pursuing.
- Details related to the flexibility to work while studying, etc.
Documents required to Obtain Canada Study Permit
- Proof Of Acceptance: A designated learning institute in Canada at which you intend to pursue your studies has to issue a letter of acceptance. You can either submit the original document or a soft copy while applying for the study permit.
- Proof of Identity: Two latest passport-size photos along with a valid passport need to be submitted for everyone who is visiting Canada along with the student.
- Proof of Financial Support: There must be solid proof that you are going to sustain yourself during your studies in Canada. There are various ways to prove this, like showing a Canadian Bank account into which you transferred your funds, an educational loan you got, etc.
Apart from these, you may also need to submit a letter of explanation and need to attend a medical examination and a custodian declaration if minors are traveling along with you.
How to apply for Canada Study Permit?
After you collect all the required documents, you should apply online for the Canada Study permit. During the application process, you will be asked some questions based on which a personalized document checklist will be created for you. You will be asked to pay the fee at the end of the application.
Don’t get stressed for not being able to properly understand the required documents and the process of application. Consider this info only to gain some awareness, and book a consultation with us where we can help you with customized support for the entire process of obtaining a Canada Study Permit.
Processing Time for Canada Student Visa:
According to official sources, it takes around 6 weeks time to process the request for a temporary resident visa for studying in Canada. You may be asked to submit your fingerprints and photos along with your application. This processing time does not include the time required to send the application from the Visa application center to the immigration office and the time you take to submit your biometrics.
Canada Study Permit Extension
It is essential to apply for a study permit extension at least a month before the expiry date of your study permit. You need to apply for a new study permit if it expires and you want to continue studying in Canada. If you want to stay in Canada even after your studies, you should either apply for a work permit or change your status to a visitor to not face any legal troubles before you leave Canada.
Part-time work with Canada Study Permit
International students can work up to 20 hours a week with a valid study permit. You are not allowed to work off-campus if your study permit specifies that you are not authorized to work while studying in Canada. International students are also allowed to work remotely for an employer outside Canada as long as they comply with the conditions of their study permit.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, to study in Canada, you shouldn’t miss the following two things.
- Study Permit– To be eligible to stay in Canada while studying.
- Visitor Visa/ Temporary Resident Visa– To be eligible to enter Canada with a valid purpose.
These are the basic things an aspiring international student should know before planning to study in Canada. If you miss either of study permit or a temporary resident visa, you won’t be able to continue your studies in Canada. So, make sure to maintain a valid study permit to enjoy the status of an international student in Canada.
FAQs:
It’s mandatory for international students from a Non-English speaking country to prove their English language proficiency with standardized tests like IELTS. The minimum score required in IELTS can be between 6.0 and 6.5, depending on the kind of course.
The Visa fee can be anywhere between 9,000 and 10,000 INR. However, the fee may change without any prior notice. So, it’s advised to keep an eye on the official sources or talk to visa consultancy services.
International students from Non-English speaking countries need to prove their English language proficiency. The minimum score required in IELTS can be between 6.0 and 6.5, depending on the kind of course.
You can show a Canadian bank account if you have opened one and transferred money to it.
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Participating Canadian Financial Institution can also be used to show that you can fund your studies in Canada.
If you have applied for a work permit or post-graduation work permit(PGWP) before your study permit expires, you may become eligible to work full-time. However, it’s advised to consult with experts considering the legal complexities associated with working as a foreigner in Canada.
