Canada Student Visa Documents Checklist 2025
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Canada remains one of the dream destinations to pursue higher education for many indian students. If you wish to study in Canada to pursue academic, professional or vocational training at a university, college or any other educational institution, you will need a study permit before entering the country.
The study permit is issued to students when they arrive in Canada. The temporary resident visa is provided by the Canadian High Commission and facilitated by the visa application centres. In this article, we will inform you about the documents needed to start the process of Canada student visa application.
- Eligibility Requirements for Studying in Canada
- Importance of a Canada Study Visa
- Documents Required for Canadian Study Permit
- Application for a Study Permit :Generic Checklist
- Benefits of Applying Online
Eligibility Requirements for Studying in Canada
Here are important points about eligibility for studying in Canada:
- Proof of Funds: The applicant should have sufficient funds to pay his/her tuition fees, living expenses (for family members as well, if required), and return ticket to his/her home country.
- Admission at DLI: He/she should have obtained admission at a DLI (Designated Learning Institution).
- Clean Record: He/she should be law-abiding and no criminal case should be registered against him/her.
- Medical Certificate: The applicant should possess a health certificate to prove that he/she is in good health.
- Intention to Return: Should be able to prove that once the studies are complete, he/she will leave for the home country.
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Importance of a Canada Study Visa
Students who have received an acceptance letter from a Canadian university need to get a study permit in order to study in Canada. It is issued by the federal government of Canada to international students for studying at one of the Designated Learning institutions (DLIs) in the country.
Since the study permit itself is not a visa, approved students are also granted either a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. After reaching Canada, students can get physical study permit.
Documents Required for Canadian Study Permit
Before applying for a Canadian study permit, ensure the availability of all the relevant. Also, apply before travelling to Canada. The following documents will be required in order to obtain your study permit:
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Acceptance by Designated Learning Institution
- Proof of Funds (Guaranteed Investment Certificate)
- Passport Size Photographs
- IMM 1294 Forms
- IMM 5645 Forms
- Immigration Medical Examination
- English Language Proficiency Exam Score (CAEL)
- Statement of Purpose
- Provincial Attestation Letter (For UG or Diplomas/PGDM Courses)
Application for a Study Permit :Generic Checklist
- Application Form: The given checklist should be used in conjunction with the IMM 5483 Document Checklist for applying for a Study Permit
- English/French Language Test Score: Any document other than in English or French should be accompanied by a certified translation.
- Submit Only Legal Documents: Submission of faulty statements or documents will result in the refusal of your application. Failure to submit the required documentation can result in refusal or delay in processing the visa.
- Must Attend Visa Interview: Candidates may need to attend the visa interview.
- Required Medical Exam: Candidates going for a study program exceeding 6 months need to undergo a medical exam..
Applying for Study Permit
The applicants may apply online for the same. They may have to provide their biometrics (picture) and fingerprints along with the application.
- Study permit application fee: CAD 150 (≈ ₹9,140).
- Apply online through the official portal.
- Biometrics (photo + fingerprints) required for most applicants.
- Offline applications allowed only for disabled students or those with non-national identity/travel documents, refugee status, or stateless individuals.
Processing Time for Study Permit
The time taken to process your study permit application will depend on whether the application submitted is complete, its type, the verification of information provided, the time duration taken by the applicant to respond to any request by the authorities, etc. For outside Canada applicants, expect a processing time of approximately 12 weeks.
Benefits of Applying Online
- It is recommended to apply online to save time and get the status of your application immediately.
- No need to pay courier fees or wait for mail delivery time.
- Incomplete applications will be returned.
- If in case the visa authority asks for more documents, candidates can submit them online quickly.
For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
Be aware of when your study permit for Canada is expiring. It is important to get it renewed in Canada atleast 2-3 months before it gets expired if a student wishes to extend his/her stay in the country. You will have to leave Canada if you don't get it renewed even after it has expired. While doing so please ensure that your passport is valid till the time of the completion of your studies.
Those who wish to obtain a student visa for Canada must be holding atleast 5.5 bands in each of the four segments of IELTS for undergraduate programs. The aggregate score should be 6.0 or more. For the graduate programs, a score of 6.5 bands, with atleast 6.0 in each of the four segments.
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Comments
(2)
P
2 years ago
S
3 years ago
P
3 years ago
Hi Sabita, please refer to the below link and check out the sample SOP for Canada before writing the SOP: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/sample-sop-for-canada-applycontent11435
Yes, they can. Also, till the time the study visa of the student is valid, the spouse can also apply for an open visa permit and work in Canada. But in case the spouse too wishes to pursue education in Canada, he or she will have to obtain a separate study visa. Those who possess a student visa are also permitted to get their dependent children to the country. They can then stay till the time their study visa is valid.