How to Apply for Canada Student Permit?

What is the process to apply for a Canada study permit? To study in Canada for 6+ months, you must apply online for a study permit via the IRCC portal. You must submit your university Letter of Acceptance (LOA), identity papers, and concrete proof of financial support.

Before you start applying to institutes in Canada, you should know about the Immigration laws and Canada study permit. Getting a Canadian student visa is the last and most important step of your dream to study in Canada. The Canada study permit processing time for Indian students is 4 weeks, so it is advisable to apply as soon as you get an admission letter from a Canadian university.

The Embassy fee for a Canada study visa is CAD 150 for Indian Students. Many students apply to get a Canadian student visa, but few of them face rejection due to several reasons. A popular reason behind the rejection of the Canadian Study Permit is not submitting the application form correctly. In this blog, we will help you to know the step-by-step process to submit your application process and get it approved.

What is Canada Study Permit?

A Study Permit is identified in the form of a Student Visa. It stands for permission granted to students to study in a foreign land. This permit, along with the student's passport, is issued by the government, which has received an offer letter from the abroad universities/colleges. This permit is, however, valid for a certain period of time, as long as the course lasts. It cannot be used to grab a job opportunity, migrate to a country, or apply for citizenship. Students may seek a job only when they are on their stay-back period after the course they had enrolled for is completed.

Applying for a Canada Study Permit

In order to apply for a Study Permit, you need to have a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution. If you have recently applied to Universities in Canada, the new rules apply as amended and enforced from June this year. A list of designated learning institutes is available on the CIC Website.

You need not apply for a Study Permit if you are planning a short-duration course in Canada. In case, however, you wish to get a Study Permit, it would be advisable to check the list. The designated institutes have been provided with a code that would be required by you for applying for a Study Permit. You can apply for a study permit at your city’s visa office.

Who is Eligible for Canada Student Visa Permit

To get a Canadian study permit, you must meet these basic rules:

• Proof of Funds: You must have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living costs, and return travel tickets.
• Clean Record: You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal past. A police certificate may be required.
• Good Health: You must be healthy and pass a medical exam if asked.
• Intention to Leave: You must convince the visa officer that you will leave Canada when your studies end.

Required Documents

You must present these main items to the visa office:

• Letter of Acceptance (LOA): The original admission letter from your chosen Canadian university.
• Identity Proof: A valid passport and accepted personal documentation.
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): A Guaranteed Investment Certificate is a secure financial document proving you can cover your living expenses.

Fees and Final Steps

• Additional Papers: You need an English language exam score, a medical certificate, and a Letter of Explanation.
• Visa Fee: The application costs a standard fee of CAD 150.
• Final Visa: You will receive a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and may need an in-person interview.

Obtaining the Canadian Study Permit

If your application is approved, you will be provided with a letter of introduction. It is important to note that the letter of introduction is not equivalent to your Study Permit. You are required to carry the original letter to Canada with you.

On arrival, you will be interviewed by an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency. He would check/verify the following documents:

1. Letter of introduction from the visa office
2. Passport or other valid travel documents
3. A letter of acceptance from the school you will be attending
4. Proof of funds documents
5. Temporary Resident Visa

Once the documents are verified, the officer will give you your Study Permit.  The permit would automatically expire within 180 days of the completion of the course. A course is said to be completed when the institute gives you in writing about the same or provides you with the degree/ diploma. It would be wise to keep your Study Permit updated and apply for a renewal before the current has expired in case you believe it would be required.

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.

FAQs Related to Canadian Student Permit Application