Study Permit, Requirements, Fees, and Application Process for Canada Student Visas

India continues to send a consistent number of students to Canada. Although outstanding academic standing is required for admittance to prestigious Canadian universities, the right to study is verified through the use of a study permit. Before entering Canada, you must get a study permit if you want to enroll in academic, professional, or vocational training at a university, college, or other educational institution there. Students are given this study permission when they enter Canada. However, a student must first apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, which is offered by the Canadian High Commission and supported by the Visa Application Centers, in order to travel there. The designated VACs for Canadian visas are VFS Global Services. Candidates should also be aware of the grounds for Canada Visa denials. The information in this post will cover everything from the prerequisites for obtaining a student visa for Canada to the paperwork needed to apply for a study permit.

What is a study permit for Canada?

Foreign students who wish to study in Canada must first get a study permit from the Canadian immigration authorities. Without a current study permission, foreign students are not permitted to enroll in classes in Canada. Aside from that, enrolling at Designated Learning Institutions is permitted for students who receive a study permission. An educational establishment that has been given the go-ahead from a provincial or territorial government to host foreign students is known as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

Obtaining a study visa for Canada

You must travel to Canada with the Letter of Introduction and all appropriate paperwork. You would meet with an immigration officer at the airport. Present your passport and the letter of introduction to the border patrol agent, who will validate them and grant you a study permit if they are deemed sufficient.

Qualifications for a Student Visa for Canada

If you meet the requirements listed below, you may apply for a Canada Study Visa.

You must meet the requirements to travel uninjured. Among the approved vaccines are those from AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Bharat Biotech Covaxin, etc.

You have been granted admission to a specific educational facility (DLI).

You must demonstrate that you have enough money to cover your tuition, living expenses for you and any accompanying family members while you are in Canada, and return travel for all such family members.

You must demonstrate that you have a spotless background free of any criminal activity. To demonstrate this, the candidates must present a police verification certificate.

You must have a health examination and present a medical certificate attesting to your excellent health.

You must persuade the visa officer during the visa interview that you will depart Canada once your studies are finished.

What paperwork is needed for a student visa to Canada?

Once you have received the letter of acceptance to the college, you should apply for a student visa. If you want to enroll in the September intake, you should start the visa application process around June. The following documents are required to apply for a student visa for Canada.

1. A current passport

To apply for a study permit, you would need a current passport. It is crucial that you have a passport whose validity spans the duration of the desired stay in Canada, according to the Canadian High Commission. For instance, your passport must be valid through September 2024 if you intend to study there for two years starting in September 2022.

2. Documentation of acceptance by an authorized educational institution

You would need the letter of acceptance from the college or institute you intend to attend. A university that has been approved by the Immigration Department is known as a Designated Learning Institute. (A list is provided here for your convenience.) If you were to file for Quebec, you would additionally require a CAQ that would have been properly notified.

3. Evidence of Funds

You would need to present financial documentation when applying for your study permit. You would have to demonstrate that you would have enough money to cover both our tuition and living expenses under the current requirements. According to Canadian Immigration, a student should have at least CAD 10,000 available for each year of their stay. In addition to the aforementioned two requirements, the student must demonstrate that he or she has the resources necessary for a return trip. Money can be demonstrated using the following methods:

A bank account in Canada

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) issued by a Canadian financial institution that is participating.

a loan for education or for students

4 months' worth of bank statements

money order (it should be convertible to Canadian dollars)

Proof of housing and tuition payments

a letter from the person or institution who gave you the money

evidence of funding coming from Canada (in case of a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program)

The table below gives an estimate of how much money candidates (from outside Quebec) may need:

Person

Annual Funds Required - Outside of Quebec (excluding tuition fees)

primary candidate

CAD 10,000

first-born child

CAD 4,000

each extra participant

CAD 3,000

The amounts needed by applicants (in Quebec) are listed in the table below:

Person

Annual Financial Needs (Excluding Tuition) - In Quebec

only one (under 18 years)

CAD 6,569

only one (18 years or above)

CAD 13,134

2 people (18 years or above)

CAD 19,264

2 people (at least 18) plus 1 person (under 18 years)

CAD 21,579

2 people (18 years or older) plus 2 people (under 18 years)

CAD 23,290

4. Passport-size images

If you chose to submit your application offline, you will need two passport-sized photos that meet the requirements. You must obtain a digital copy of the photo, which shouldn't be larger than 4MB, for an online application. Other prerequisites include a consistent neutral face expression, a plain background, and no headgear (unless for religious purposes). Note:

The image's dimensions must be at least 35 mm by 45 mm.

The picture must be current (not older than 6 months)

Each photo must have your name and birthdate inscribed on the back.

5. Medical Checkup for Immigration (IME)

Indian students studying abroad in Canada are required to take an immigration medical examination from credentialed physicians. Students would need to schedule an appointment with one of the recommended doctors and go in for a checkup, ideally one week before to beginning their visa application. This is done to allow the doctor adequate time to verify and upload the required paperwork. It is generally advisable to make an appointment in advance with the nearby institution or practitioner listed on the list of doctors who have been appointed.

The panel doctor will do a thorough physical examination and might recommend blood work and a chest x-ray for you. The doctor will send the findings from your examination to CIC.

6. Results of the English Language Proficiency Test

Although it is not necessary to obtain your English Language Proficiency Score at the time of application, we strongly advise that you have taken the test and received your results before beginning the visa application process. As it stands, your English language competency score would have been required to verify your admission to the Canadian University. All accepted tests include TOEFL, IELTS, etc.

7. A statement of intent

You would be expected to write an essay when applying for a Canadian Study Permit outlining why you are visiting Canada and why you have picked the specific university. The checklist would ask you to submit this as an optional document, but we highly encourage you to do so.

8. Charge Card

You would also need a credit card to pay the application cost if you were submitting your application online. For Indian students applying for a visa to study in Canada, the fee is 150 CAD. Keep in mind that the system only accepts credit cards—no debit cards are supported. Additionally, it is not required to be your credit card. If you have express permission to use your parents' cards, you may as well.

In addition to the aforementioned, you'd need access to a digital scanner if you were applying online. However, you must have true copies of all the aforementioned documents if you are applying offline. You must download a few documents, complete them, print them, sign them, and upload them in order to submit your online application. Therefore, it is necessary to plan for the scanner's accessibility. You can also upload a high-quality digital image using the system. But for a camera, we advise a scanner.

The interviewer may ask for more documents during the in-person discussion. These could be proof of academic or financial standing documents. These may consist of:

transcripts, degrees, certificates, and diplomas from the institutions you attended

Test results from the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT

Your intention to leave Canada after the study program is over

How you plan to cover all living, educational, and travel expenses

How to Apply for a Study Visa in Canada

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

Verify the turnaround times: If you are applying from outside of Canada, the processing time for a visa is 9 weeks; if you are applying from within Canada, it takes 4 weeks. It is suggested to visit the website of the Canadian consulate to track your application and learn the precise amount of time needed to process your student visa.

Determine your application strategy: Two methods exist for applying:

(a) Submit an online application: To submit an online application, you must have access to a scanner or camera to scan and digitize your supporting papers for uploading, as well as a valid credit card to make payment. At the local Visa Application Center, a finger scan will still be required from you (VAC). Keep in mind that if you submitted an online application, you would also need to visit the VFS offices to submit your passports and the receipt for your fee payment. The only difference between the processes would be the paperwork you need to provide to the VAC.

(b) Submit a paper application: Download the application kit and read the user manual. Important details about study permits are provided in the instruction manual, along with instructions on how to complete your application. Use the document checklist and thoroughly read the instruction manual. You may only submit a paper application if both of the following apply:

If your impairment prohibits you from submitting an online application

If you possess an identity or travel document for a refugee, stateless, or non-citizen

Ukrainian citizens (or their family members)

citizen S.

Resident Permanent (or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.)

resident of Greenland

an inhabitant of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Attach the VFS Consent Form filled out in full to your application. This form is required if you want VFS services' support with your visa application.

Pay the processing fee: It should be noted that in addition to VFS Global service fees, visa fees must be paid when submitting an application via the VFS, in person, or by mail. In every circumstance, the processing charge is not refundable.

You must pay the relevant processing costs for your spouse/common-law partner and/or children if they are traveling with you and you are applying for temporary resident visas, work permits, or study permits for them.

Application and supporting documentation must be submitted: You must go to the neighborhood VFS office. Pay the service fees when you arrive, then give them your completed application to get a receipt. You will need this receipt, which has your special tracking number on it, to check the status of your application online.

The Canadian government will notify you and ask for your passport if your application is accepted. Both the passport and the letter requesting one may be delivered in person or via VFS. A letter of introduction as well as a temporary resident visa would be given to you.

Fees for Canada student visas

According to information provided on the CIC website, a study permit for Canada costs CAD 150, or around INR 9,049 at the current currency rate. We urge you to check the currency rate while applying for your visa because it is always changing.

Both online and offline applications for Canadian visas are accessible. The fees for processing visas can be paid online (with a credit card), offline (with a demand draft if paying at the Canadian High Commission), or in cash at the VAC. When the application is filed, this fee must be paid, or an online payment receipt must be given. The requisite Demand Draft must be drawn out in Indian Rupees in the name of the Canadian High Commission. VACs only accept cash as payment.

Additionally, VAC service fees are not included in the indicated visa fee. You would be required to pay any additional service fees that apply in your area. A receipt will also be provided for each payment made. Keep the receipt as evidence of your payment, please.

Students must pay a CAD 85 biometric fee after submitting their visa application. In addition to the standard visa fee, candidates must also submit this cost. After that, a Visa Application Center will take your biometrics.

Processing Period for Student Visa for Canada

The amount of time the CIC needs to process a visa application is known as the processing time. It begins when the applicant submits their application and lasts until the day of the decision. As a result, no time frame for processing a Canada student visa application is specified. It typically takes 12 weeks. Through their MyCIC accounts, applicants (both online and on paper) can check the status of their applications.

Renewal of a study permit

Students must have a current study permit in order to stay in Canada. If your study permit expires before the end of your course of study (program), you will need to apply for a renewal. The ideal time to apply is at least 30 days prior to the expiration of your current permit. Candidates have the option of applying online or via mail.

Dependents

On a Dependent visa, spouses may travel with full-time students. You merely need to demonstrate that there are sufficient cash to support them. If a spouse stays for a year or more, they are also permitted to work full-time.

You might be eligible to apply for an open work permit if you're coming to Canada with your spouse or common-law partner. When you arrive in Canada, you can search for and accept any job with an open work permit. You can apply for your work visa without a job offer or a favorable labor market impact assessment.

Addresses for Canadian Consulates and Embassies 1. Canadian High Commission, New Delhi

India, Chanakyapuri, 7/8 Shantipath, 110 021

Phone: 011-4178 2000

2. Dr. Rajkumar Road, Malleshwaram West Yeshwantpur Bengaluru - 560055, 22nd Floor, 26/1, Consulate General of Canada

3. Canadian Consulate General

Sector 17 A, Chandigarh, India, SCO# 54-56

4. Canadian Consulate General

Senapati Bapat Marg, Tower 2, 21st Floor, Indiabulls Finance Centre, Elphinstone Road (West), Mumbai 400013

Addresses of the VFS Center:

New Delhi

Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place New Delhi-110001 VFS Global Services Pvt.

Chennai.

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Fagun Towers, Second floor, No. 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai, 600008, India Canada Visa Application Center

Mumbai.

Visa Application Center for Canada

Bandra (East), Mumbai, India (40005), VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Trade Centre 5th Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex

Kolkata

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Rene Tower, Building No. 1842, Rajdanga Main Road, Rajdanga (Landmark: Near Geetanjali Stadium), India (700107), Canada Visa Application Center

Scholarships for Canadian Universities

Although studying in Canada is one of the most popular study abroad options for students from around the world, some people find it to be prohibitively expensive. As a result, we've included a list of some of the most well-known scholarships for Canadian students in need of financial assistance.