Canada Student Visa Guide: Eligibility, Fees, Steps to Apply

What is a Canada Study Permit?

Student visa Canada is a document issued by Canadian immigration authorities that serves as permission for foreign students to study in Canada. International students cannot study in Canada without getting a valid study permit. Apart from this, students who get a study permit are allowed to enrol in Designated Learning Institutions. A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is an educational institution that has received approval from a provincial or territorial government to host international students.

Start your application for a Canada student visa well in advance, just after getting your admission letter. Canada Student Visa processing time for Indian students is 4 weeks. Make sure, you apply with all the documents required for Canada study visa.

Related Read: Checklist for International Students Going to Canada 

Latest Updates for Canada Study Visa

Here are some latest updates and new rules for international students in Canada 2024:

April 30, 2024: International students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus. Recently, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said that we intend to change the number of hours students may work off campus per week to 24 hours. These new rules for international students in Canada 2024, will help them to cover personal expenses during their higher studies.

April 05, 2024: Canada announced the NET Zero First Growth Model to keep the number of study permits steady. According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, a total 485,000 Canada Student Visa will be approved in the year 2024. This is the revised number of 364,000 approved Canada student visas in 2024, based on the expected number of study permits expiring this year.

Related Read: Canada Caps International Student Study Permits

January 23, 2024: Canada has announced a two-year cap on new international student permits to ease the demand for housing and social services. According to the Immigration Ministry of Canada, around 364,000 international students will get study permits in the year 2024. The government has put a temporary cap and decreased permits by one-third.

Getting your Study Visa Canada

Canada Study Visa: You are required to carry the Letter of Introduction along with all the specified documents to Canada. At the airport, you would meet with an Immigration Officer. Present the Passport and the Letter of Introduction to the border control agency officer who would then validate the same and if found adequate, issue you the student visa of Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for Study Permit Canada

The following points provide the Canada Student Visa requirements:

• You must qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller. AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Bharat Biotech Covaxin, etc. are some of the accepted vaccines.
• You have been accepted by a designated learning institute (DLI).
• You need to prove that you have adequate funds to pay for: your tuition fee, living expenses for yourself and family members who accompany you to Canada, and return transportation for yourself and any family members who accompany you to Canada
• You need to prove that you have a clean background and no criminal record. The aspirants need to produce a police verification certificate to prove this.
• You need to do a health checkup and produce a medical certificate that certifies that you are in good health.

Also at the time of the Canada Student Visa interview, you need to convince the visa officer that you will leave Canada once you complete your studies.

List of Documents Required for Canada Study Visa?

You should apply for your student visa Canada, after you get your college acceptance letter. You should begin with the visa process around June if aiming at the September intake. The following are the documents required to apply For Canada Student Visa.

• Valid Passport
• Proof of Acceptance by Designated Learning Institution
• Proof of Funds
• Passport Size Photograph
• Immigration Medical Examination
• English Language Proficiency Exam Score
• Statement of Purpose
• Provincial Attestation Letter (For UG or Non-Degree Courses)

1. Valid Passport

Candidates applying for a Canada Study Visa would need a Valid Passport to be able to apply for the Study Permit. As of the Canadian High Commission, you must have a passport whose validity covers the intended stay in Canada. For instance, if you plan to travel to Canada in September 2022 for a two-year course, your passport should be valid until at least September 2024.

2. Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution

You would need the acceptance letter from the university/institute you are planning to attend. A Designated Learning Institute is a University that is recognized by the Immigration Department. (Here’s a list for your reference). In case you are applying for Quebec, you would also need a CAQ (Québec Acceptance Certificate). It is issued by the Quebec Government. Your university or college will provide you with the details of the CAQ application. However, if your studies are for less than 6 months, you do not require a CAQ.

3. Proof of Funds

At the time of application for your Study Permit, you would have to show proof of funds. As per the present standards, you would have to prove that you would have enough funds to pay our tuition fees as well as take care of living expenses. Canadian Immigration deems a student would require at least CAD 20,635 for every year of their stay. Apart from the above two, the student would also have to prove that he/she has enough funds for a return fair as well. Funds can be proven with the help of the following:

• Canadian bank account
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
• A student loan or education loan
• Bank statements for the past 4 months
• Bank draft (it should be convertible to Canadian dollars)
• Proof of paid tuition and housing fee
• Letter from a person or school that has provided you with funds
• Proof of funding paid from within Canada (in case of a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program)

Minimum bank balance for Canada student visa depends on whether you stay in Quebec or outside of Quebec. In addition, it also depends on how many people accompany you during your stay in Canada.

The table given below provides the minimum bank balance for Canada Student Visa (outside Quebec):

Person	Funds Required Annually (excluding tuition fee) – Outside Quebec
Primary applicant	CAD 20,635
With the First family member	CAD 25,690
With 2 Other Members	CAD 31,583

Note: If you want to come with your wife and a kid (other than Quebec) then, for a year, you’ll need CAD 31,583 for living expenses.

The table given below provides the minimum bank balance for Canada Student Visa (in Quebec):

Person	Funds Required Annually (excluding tuition fee) – In Quebec
1 person (under 18 years)	CAD 7,541
1 person (18 years or above)	CAD 15,078
2 persons (18 years or above)	CAD 22,115
2 persons (18 years or above) 1 person (under 18 years)	CAD 24,773
2 persons (18 years or above) 2 persons (under 18 years)	CAD 26,737

4. Passport Size Photographs

If you have opted for an offline application, you would need two passport-sized photographs that conform to the given standards. For an online application, you must procure a digital copy of the photograph which should not be more than 4MB. Other requirements are standard neutral facial expression, plain background as well as no headgear (unless for religious purposes). Note:

• The size of the image should be at least 35 mm x 45 mm
• The image should be recent (not older than 6 months)
• Your name and date of birth must be written on the back of each photo

5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

Canadian Immigration requires international students from India to undergo a compulsory Immigration Medical Examination from empanelled doctors. Students would have to book an appointment and visit the listed doctors for a medical examination, preferably a week before they start their Visa Application. This is to give the doctor enough time to validate and upload the necessary documents. Booking an appointment in advance with the nearest facility/ practitioner as per the list of empanelled doctors is always advised.

The panel physician will perform a complete medical exam and may refer you for chest X-rays and laboratory tests. Once your exam has been completed, the physician will send the results to CIC.

6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score

Though not mandatory to have at the time of application, we strongly recommend that you appear for and get your English Language Proficiency Score before you start your Visa Application Process. As it is, you would have had to submit your English language proficiency score to confirm your admission to the Canadian University. TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL etc. are all acceptable.

7. Statement of Purpose

This is also called a Letter of Explanation. When applying for a Canadian Study Permit, you would be required to submit an essay stating the purpose of your trip to Canada and your understanding of your responsibilities as a student. This would be prompted as an optional document in the checklist but we strongly recommend that you submit the same.

8. Credit Card

In case you are making an online application, you would also require a credit card to pay the Canada student visa application fee. The Embassy Fees for Canada study visa is CAD 150 (INR 9,296) for Indian students. Please remember that the system only accepts credit cards and not debit cards. Also, it is not necessary that it is your credit card. You can use your parent’s cards as well, provided you have explicit permission to do so.

9. Provincial Attestation Letter

A Provincial Attestation Letter or PAL Canada is one of the essential documents to study in Canada for UG students. Canadian PAL is a proof that student’s admission aligns with the designated quota fixed for a province or territory. The provincial authority or university issues a PAL letter after paying the first-year tuition fee.

Apart from the above, if applying online, you would need access to a digital scanner. However, if you are applying offline, you should have true copies of all the above-mentioned documents. It is important to note that while applying online, you would be required to download a few documents, fill them out, print them, sign them, and then upload them. Accordingly, the availability of the scanner must be arranged. The system also allows you to upload a good-quality digital image. We, however, recommend a scanner for a camera.

During the personal interview, additional documents may be requested by the interviewer. These may be documents to prove evidence of academic or financial status. These may include:

• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
• Scores from tests, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
• Your intent to depart from Canada upon completion of the course of study
• How you will pay all educational, living, and travel costs

Also, read about student visas for study abroad and student visas for popular international study destinations:

Student Visa for Australia	Student Visa for New Zealand
Student Visa for Singapore	Student Visa for Germany

How to Apply for a Canadian Visa for Study

Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for the Canada student visa process.

• Check the processing time: Canada study visa processing time is 6 weeks (this does not include the time required for biometrics) for Indian students. It is advisable to go through the Canadian consulate website to know the exact time taken to process the student visa and to track your application.
•  Determine how you will apply: There are two ways to apply:

(a) Apply online: To apply online you must have access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents for uploading and have a valid credit card for payment. You will still be required to provide a finger scan at the regional Visa Application Centre (VAC). Remember, in the case of Online Applications you need to visit the VFS offices to hand in your passports and would have to provide the confirmation of form. Also, you need to make payment of Embassy Fees for Canada study visa. the steps would only vary in terms of documents you need to carry to the VAC.

(b) Apply on paper: Download the application kit and read the instruction guide. The instruction guide contains important information about study permits and instructions to help you complete your application. Read the guide carefully and use the document checklist. You are allowed to apply on paper only under 2 conditions:

• • • If you have a disability that prevents you from applying online
    • If you hold an identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees, or stateless persons

(c) At a port of entry: The following can also apply at a port of entry:

• • • Ukrainian nationals (or their family members)
    • US citizen
    • US Permanent Resident (or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.)
    • Greenland resident
    • Saint-Pierre and Miquelon resident

• Fill out the VFS Consent Form and attach it with your application form.  You need this form to get the assistance of VFS services for your visa filing process.
• Pay the processing fee: Note that when submitting an application via the VFS, in person, or by mail, visa fees must be paid in addition to VFS Global service charges. The processing fee is non-refundable in all cases.
• If your spouse/common-law partner and/or children are accompanying you and you are applying for temporary resident visas, work permits, or study permits for them, then you will need to pay the appropriate processing fees for them. 
•  Submit your application and supporting documents: You have to visit the nearest VFS office. Once you are there, pay the service charges and hand them your complete application to obtain a receipt. This receipt contains your unique tracking number which you will need to track the progress of your application online.

In case your application is approved you will receive notification from the Government of Canada requesting your passport. You can submit the passport and passport request letter in person or through VFS. You would be provided with a Temporary Resident Visa and a Letter of Introduction.

Canada Student Visa Fees

Check out the details related to Canada student visa fees.

• The Embassy Fees for Canada student visa is CAD 150 for Indian students. It is equal to 9,296 Indian Rupees as per the current exchange rate in February 2024. Since the exchange rate keeps changing, we would advise you to check the same at the time of your visa application.
• Canadian Visa Applications are available both online and offline. The visa processing fees can be made both online (by means of a credit card) or offline (by means of a demand draft if paying at the High Commission of Canada) or by cash at the VAC. This fee must be paid when the application is submitted or a fee receipt of online payment is provided. The Demand Draft required is to be drawn out in favour of the High Commission of Canada in Indian rupees. VACs accept only Cash Payments. 
• Also, the visa fee mentioned does not include VAC service charges. You would have to pay the additional service charges as applicable for your region. Also, a receipt will be issued for each payment received. Please keep the receipt as proof of payment.

• Post submission of your visa application, students need to submit a biometric fee of CAD 85. Candidates need to submit this fee in addition to the regular visa fee. After this, your biometrics will be taken at a Visa Application Centre.

Related Article: Cost of Living in Toronto Ontario For International Students

Canada Student Visa Processing Time

Processing time is the time taken by the CIC for processing a study visa application. It starts when the aspirant files the application until the final decision day. Usually, the Canada student visa processing time is around 6 weeks. Aspirants (both online and paper) can view the status of their applications through their MyCIC accounts. Moreover, if students are applying through the SDS route, Canada student visa processing time after biometrics is 20 calendar days.

Study Permit Renewal

For staying and studying, students need to have a valid student visa Canada. If in case, your student visa Canada expires before the completion of your studies (program) then you need to apply for renewal of your study permit. Ideally, you should apply at least 30 days before your current permit expires. Candidates can submit their applications through mail or online.

Dependents

Spouses can accompany full-time students on a Dependent visa. You only need to show that adequate funds are available for their support. Spouses can also work full-time if their stay is for a year or more.

In some cases, you may apply for an open work permit if you will be accompanying your spouse or common-law partner to Canada. With an open work permit, you may find and accept any job when you get to Canada. You do not need a job offer or a positive labour market impact assessment to apply for your work permit.

Canadian Embassy and Consulates Addresses

1. High Commission of Canada, New Delhi

7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110 021, India

Phone: 011-4178 2000

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

3. Consulate General of Canada

SCO# 54-56, Sector 17 A
Chandigarh 160 017, India

4. Consulate General of Canada

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

VFS Center Addresses

1. New Delhi

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

2. Chennai

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

3. Mumbai

Canada Visa Application Centre
VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.
Trade Centre 5th Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400051, India

4. Kolkata

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

5. Bangalore

Canada Visa Application Centre

22, Gopalan Innovation Mall, Bannerghatta Main Rd

Sarakki Industrial Layout, 3rd Phase, J. P. Nagar

Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076

6. Chandigarh

Canada Visa Application Centre

B-209, 2nd Floor, Elante, Industrial Area Phase 1

Chandigarh, India – 160002

7. Ahmedabad

Canada Visa Application Centre

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Unit No 1 and 2

Bhikubhai Chambers, Near Bharat Petroleum Ashram Road

Paldi Ahmedabad 380 007, India

8. Hyderabad

Canada Visa Application Centre

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Zonah Crescent, 3rd Floor

Banjara Hills Road No 12, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034

9. Jalandhar

Canada Visa Application Centre

Aman Plaza, 1st Floor, 310 Lajpat Nagar, Mahavir Marg

Nakodar Chowk Opposite Lovely Autos, Jalandhar-144001

10. Pune

Canada Visa Application Centre

93 Avenue (Mall Name), 4th Floor, Kalubai Chowk, Near Fatima Nagar Junction

Wanowarie, Pune - 411022

What to Do After Applying for Canada Student Visa?

Once you have applied for the Canada student visa, your application will be processed. If your Canada student visa application is approved, you will receive your Canada study visa either at the port of entry or via email. In case you have applied for your Canada student from outside of Canada, you need to follow these steps:

• You will receive a letter of introduction, which needs to be brought and shown to a border services officer. Your Canada study permit will be issued on the basis of this letter of introduction.
• You will receive an eTA (electronic travel authorization) or a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) depending upon your country.
• You need to present the following documents to the border services officer:
  • Passport
  • Letter of introduction
  • Acceptance letter from your university/college
  • Reference letters (as told by the visa officer)
  • eTA or Visitor Visa
  • Financial documents
  • Medical test reports
• You also need to convince the immigration officer of your home country ties and that you will leave Canada after the completion of your studies

It is vital for candidates to know the reasons for Canada student visa rejection. Make sure to take appropriate steps if that happens and always have a backup plan in place before you start your study-abroad journey.

Intakes in Canada

There are three intakes in Canada for university and college admissions; these include Fall Intake (September-December/January), Winter Intake (January-May), and Spring/Summer (May-August). The following points will explain these intakes in brief:

• Fall Intake (September–December/ January): The majority of applicants for admission to Canadian universities are in this intake. Students have the option to apply to a vast variety of courses and degrees during the fall semester, which starts in September.
• Winter Intake (January-May): It is an extension of the fall intake and offers a fair choice of courses.
• Spring/Summer Intake (May-August): This intake offers a limited number of courses.

Cost of Studying in Canada

Depending on the institution, programme, and region, different fees apply to studying in Canada. For undergraduate programmes, tuition expenses for international students in Canada typically vary from 6,000 to 40,000 CAD per year, while graduate programmes can cost up to 35,000 CAD per year. International students must pay for living costs such as housing, meals, transportation, and textbooks in addition to tuition fees.

Depending on the city or region, the cost of living in Canada varies, however, it is predicted that students will need between CAD 15,000 and 20,000 per year to meet living expenses. It is crucial to remember that tuition rates and living expenses can change, so students should investigate the precise prices.

Scholarships for Studying in Canada

Canada is considered one of the top global study destinations for international students, however, studying here is not economical for some. Therefore, we have listed some of the popular scholarships for those who need financial support for pursuing their education in Canada.

Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship	OGS/QEII-GSST Scholarships for International Students
Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc. candidates	Ontario Graduate Scholarship- Other Master Programs

Part Time Work in Canada

You are permitted to work part-time in Canada for 24 hours per week at a paid job while you are a student. You are only permitted to work for this many hours per week, though. Universities advise students who are enrolled in challenging or demanding courses to work a maximum of 12 hours per week. The Canadian government removed the 20-hour per week cap on part-time work in Canada for international students.

Post-Study Work Permit Canada (PGWP Canada)

International students who have graduated from Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme (PGWPP), which enables them to get a valid open work permit and gain work experience there. In order to be eligible for a PGWP Canada, your course must be at least 8 months in duration. If the duration of the course is less than 2 years (but more than 8 months), your work permit will be for a period equal to the duration of your course. If your course is for two years or more, you might receive a work permit of three years in duration.

Canada PR

You may apply for a Canada PR through Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Programme, Federal Skilled Trades Programme), PNP, etc. Getting Canadian work experience will help you obtain extra points (70 if you have a spouse and 80 if do not have a spouse) on the Comprehensive Ranking System. Moreover, there is no requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) once you have a PGWP. The LMIA demonstrates that a foreign worker is necessary to fill the open position. An LMIA application must be submitted by the employer. A PGWP, on the other hand, negates the requirement for an LMIA.

It is advised that students should take their documentation for their student visa Canada very seriously and with utmost care. Make sure to follow all the precise requirements and instructions.