A Step-By-Step Guide to Canadian Study Permit & Student Visa

Get your Canadian Study Permit, work as a student and apply for permanent residence. A step-by-step guide to the Canadian student visa application process, requirements, processing times, fees and more.

Canada is a leading destination for numerous international students. The country is home to many of the world’s top educational institutions. A Canadian Study Permit is an essential document international students must have to study in Canada. This comprehensive step-by-step guide will discuss everything you need to know about Canadian student visa and their requirements. Start Your Study Permit Assessment Now

What is a Canadian Study Permit?

A Canada study permit is a unique document issued to foreign students who wish to study at any designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. You can apply for a Study Permit in Canada at any age, provided that you can prove your intentions to return to your home country after completing your studies. You may apply for a Study Permit after a Long Gap, with the help of a solid case file and adequate documentation and avoid study permit refusal.

Canadian Student Visa Requirements

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Canada Student Visa Requirements

You must generally meet the following requirements to be eligible for a Canadian student visa:

1

Be Fully Vaccinated

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must meet Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) requirements. This includes receiving a minimum of two vaccine doses accepted for travel, a mix of travel-accepted vaccines, or a minimum of one Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

You must also follow pre-entry requirements and testing. This includes uploading proof of your vaccination status online at ArriveCAN.

2

Enrolment at a Designated Learning Institution

You must possess a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, such as a Canadian College or University, to be eligible for a Canadian student visa. This letter is typically provided after enrollment at one of the aforementioned educational institutions.

3

Proof of Financial Support for Studies and Expenses

Prospective students must demonstrate they possess enough funds to manage their education and living expenses in Canada. This includes funds to cover the following:

5

Follow the Law and Possess No Criminal Record

International students must be prepared to follow Canadian laws as they apply to them. They must also not possess a criminal record. Applicants are required to include a police clearance certificate with their application as proof.

6

Prove You are in Good Health

Applicants must be in good health when applying for their Canadian student visa. They may be required to undergo a medical exam approved by IRCC as proof.

7

Demonstrate That You Intend to Leave Canada After Completing Your Studies

Applicants must also demonstrate to a Canadian visa officer that they intend to leave Canada once they complete their studies.

3 Steps to Apply for a Canadian Student Visa

Prospective students can apply for a Canadian Student Visa by following the steps below:

1

Select a Study Program and Apply to a University or College

Students must first determine the type of study program they wish to pursue. They can then research the various colleges and universities in Canada. Consider applying to various programs and/or designated learning institutions to improve your chances of receiving admission.

2

Receive Your Letter of Acceptance

If you receive admission into one of these designated learning institutions, you will receive a letter of acceptance. This letter is vital for the student visa application process.

After receiving your acceptance letter, you must gather additional documents and submit a student visa application.

3

Gather the Required Documents and Complete the Application Process

After receiving your acceptance letter, you must gather additional documents and submit a student visa application. On approval, you can fly to Canada and start your studies.

Canada Student Visa Application Process

Here is a step-by-step process for the Canadian student visa application process:

STEP 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Prospective students must determine if they are eligible for a Canadian study permit or student visa. This involves checking if they can meet the abovementioned requirements, with obtaining a Letter of Acceptance being the top priority. Check if you are eligible for Canada’s student visa online: FREE Evaluation Tool.

STEP 2: Prepare Your Study Permit Application

Students can then begin gathering the necessary documents for their application. You can find them in the Document Checklist for a Study Permit Outside Canada. Feel free to contact us if need help with your Canadian student visa application process.

STEP 3: Submit Your Canada Student Visa Application

Students can then fill out and submit a Study Permit application online or using a paper-based process. The online process can be completed at the IRCC website. Applications submitted via the paper-based process must be submitted to a Visa Application Center (VAC) in their country.

STEP 4: Wait for a Decision

After that, you wait for the Canadian student visa approval. Approving a typical Canadian study visa takes 90 days (13 weeks), depending on which country you are applying from.

STEP 5: Move to Canada

If your study permit application is approved, you can fly to Canada. You will receive your Canadian study permit at your port of entry into the country.