Canada Student Visa

A canada student visa is required for any international student planning to enroll in courses at a canadian university. The government will only give the legal document to candidates who meet the necessary qualifications and provide the necessary supporting documents.

Canada student visa/ canada study visa: from India there is a huge volume of students applying for a visa in Canada. In order to get admission in the top universities Canada requires an excellent academic performance and it is validated by Study permit. For Indian students the embassy fees for a Canada study visa is CAD 150 (INR 9,296).

When they arrive in Canada only the student visa is issued to students. Students need to first apply for a temporary resident visa in order to get there and it is provided by the Canadian high commission and facilitated by the visa application centers. This article will explain everything about the student visa requirement for getting a study permit in Canada.

1. What is a Canada study permit?

It is a document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities to international students as a permission to study in Canada. Without the study permit international students can’t study in Canada. Students are allowed to enroll in Designated learning institutions only getting the student visa. A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is an educational institution to host international students in government issued institutions.

2. Latest updates for canada study visa

April 05 2024: To keep the student visa numbers stable Canada announced a NET Zero first growth model. A total of 485,000 Canada students will be admitted in 2024 according to the immigration minister Marc Miller. In 2024 364000 study permits will be approved, based on the number of study permits that will expire this year.

January 23, 2024: In order to ease the demand of housing and social services Canada has released a two year cap on student visa permits for international students. Around 364,000 international students will get study permits in the year 2024 as the confirmation from the immigration department of Canada. The government set a temporary cap and reduced permits by one-third.

December 15, 2023: from January 1, 2024 onwards international students have to show proof of their funding CAD 20,635 per year for the living expenses in Canada to get the student visa. This amount is double of the current funding which was prevalent in the early 2000s. Therefore Indian students who like to study in Canada now will have to follow new guidelines and make sure all necessary arrangements are made.

3. Getting your Study Permit Canada

Canada study Visa: the letter of introduction and all other required documents must be carried with you to Canada. You will meet an immigration officer at the airport. Border control agency officer will verify all the documents such as passport, letter of introduction and if they find it sufficient then only they will grant you the study permit.

4. Eligibility Criteria for Study Permit Canada

The following are the requirements for the student visa in Canada

Must be fully vaccinated and the approved vaccines are AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Bharat Biotech Covaxin, etc.
Must be accepted by a Designated Learning Institute (DLI).
Need to provide fund details which include your tuition fee, living cost of your family member and also the return flight of you and your family member traveling to Canada.
Need to provide a police clearance certificate.
Need to provide medical examination certificate

You need to prove to the Visa officer that you will leave Canada once you have finished your studies in Canada.

5. What documents are necessary for a study visa to Canada?

As soon as you receive your university admission letter, you should apply for a student visa to Canada. If you want to apply for the September intake you should start the visa application in June. The following is the required paperwork to apply for the study visa to Canada.

Valid passport

Students must have a valid passport in order to apply for a student visa in Canada. According to the Canadian high commission they need the valid passport that will be valid until the entire study duration in canada. For example your passport should be valid until at least Sep 2024 if you are planning to study for a two year course.

Proof of admission letter from institution

You would require the offer letter from the college or university you wish to enroll in. A university that has the immigration department’s approval is known as a Designated Learning Institute. (for your information here is the list). A CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate) is also required if you are applying for Quebec. The government of Quebec is the one who issued it. The CAQ application details will be sent to you from the university. But you don’t need a CAQ if your studies are shorter than six months.

Proof of funds

It is required to provide the proof of the funds. As the recent standards, you would have to provide that you have enough funds to meet the tuition fees and the living cost. For each year students must have at least CAD 20,635 for their stay according to canadian immigration. Additionally students need to provide sufficient money for their return journey.

Funds can be proven by the following :

Canadian bank account
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
A student loan or education loan
Last 4 months bank statement
Bank draft
Proof of tuition fee payment and housing fee
Letter from a person or school that has provided you with funds
Proof of funding paid from within Canada

Depending on whether you stay in Quebec or outside Quebec, there is a minimum bank balance required for a canada student visa. It also depends on how many other people travel with you to Canada.

The minimum bank balance required for an outside-of-Quebec Canada student visa is listed in the table below:

Person	Funds required annually(excluding tuition fee)
Primary applicant	CAD 10,000
First family member	CAD 4,000
Every additional member	CAD 3,000

The minimum bank balance required for an inside-of-Quebec Canada student visa is listed in the table below:

Person	Funds required annually(excluding tuition fee)
1 person (under 18 years)	CAD 6,569
1 person (18 years or above)	CAD 13,134
2 persons (18 years or above)	CAD 19,264
2 persons (18 years or above) 1 person (under 18 years)	CAD 21,579
2 persons (18 years or above) 2 persons (under 18 years)	CAD 23,290

Passport size photo

You will require two passport sized photos that meet the required dimensions if you choose to apply offline. A digital copy of the photo is required which should not be longer than 4 MB for an online application. Additional prerequisites include a standard neutral facial expression, simple background and no headgear unless worn for religious purpose.

Note:

The image must be at least 35 mm by 45 mm in size.
The photo must not be more than six months old.
Each picture needs to have your name and birthdate written on the back.

Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

Canada required Indian students to undergo a compulsory medical check up authorized medical practitioner. It is required to book a medical examination from the listed physians ideally a week before the visa processing. This will help the doctor to verify and upload the required documents on time. It is always recommended to book an appointment which is the nearest facility or authorized practitioner from the list.

After the thorough checking the panel doctor will suggest a lab test and a chest X-ray. When the doctor has finalized the examination, CIC will receive the results.

English test result

It is good if you write the english test prior to the visa application process but it is not mandatory. If you have the required score handy it is easy to confirm the admission to the Canadian university. Acacetable test are TOEFL, IELTS etc

Statement of purpose

It is also known as Letter of Explanation. You would have to write an essay about the reason for visiting Canada and also need to understand the requirements as a student. We highly recommend submitting it although the checklist will ask you to submit this document.

Credit card

If you are applying online a credit card is needed to cover the application fee for a Canada student visa. For Indian students the embassy fee for a student visa is CAD 150 which is equivalent to 9,296 INR. Please remember that no debit cards are accepted by the system, only credit cards are accepted. It is not mandatory to use your credit card. If you have consent you can use your parents card as well.

In addition to that you are required to access a digital scanner if you are applying online. Additionally you are required to provide the true copies of the above mentioned documents if you are applying offline. In order to apply online you are required to download and complete a few documents and also need to print, scan them and upload them. The availability of scanners will be arranged. A high quality digital image can also be uploaded via system. But we advise getting a camera scanner.

Interviewer will request additional documents during the personal interview. These documents will be the evidence for the living and tuition fee status. These may include:

Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you studied
Scores from tests, such as TOEFL, SAT, GRE or GMAT
When the study program is finished, you intend to leave Canada
How you will pay all educational, living, and travel expenses

6. How to apply student visa for Canada

These are the steps to apply student visa:-

Check the processing time: for Indian students the processing time is six weeks(biometrics not included). It is advisable to the Canadian consulate to track the application to find how long it will take to process your student visa.

Determine how you will apply: there are two ways to apply

Apply online: in order to apply online, you need a working credit card for making payments and a scanner or camera to scan and copy your documents into the computer. At the local visa application center(VAC) you will be required to submit your finger scan. Remember that in order to submit the online application you need to physically present your passport and the form confirmation at the VFS offices. And also to get the study visa from Canada you must pay an embassy fee. The only difference in the steps would be what paperwork you need to bring to VAC.
Apply on paper: fill out an application on paper by downloading the kit and reading the instructions. Important details regarding the study visa and guidance to finish your application are shown in the instruction guide. Read carefully the guide and use the document checklist. Only two circumstance allow you to apply on paper:

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

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.
Complete the VFS consent form and attach it in your application. To get help from VFS services with your visa you need to fill the form.
Pay the processing fee: please remember that in addition to VFS service fees an additional visa fee needs to be paid when submitting an application through the VFS in person or by mail. And the processing fee is not refundable.
If your spouse or common law partner or children accompany you and you are applying for a temporary resident visa, work permit or study visa for them you need to pay a processing fee for them as well.
Submit your application and supporting documents: Visit the VFS office which is closest to you. When you arrive at the office you need to pay the service fees and give them your finished application to receive the receipt. You can also track the status of your application online by using the unique tracking number noted on the receipt.

You will receive notification from the government of canada requesting for a passport if your application has been approved. In person or through VFS you can submit your passport and passport request letter. You will get a letter of introduction and temporary resident visa.

7. Canada study visa fees

For Indian students the embassy fee for student visas is CAD 150. In February 2024, it is equivalent to 9,296 INR based on the current money exchange rate. It will change so we recommend you to check the exchange rate at the time of your visa processing.
Applications for Canadian visas are available online and offline. The visa processing fees can be paid online with credit card and offline with cash at the VAC or by demand draft if paying the Canadian High Commission. When the application is submitted, this fee must be paid, or a fee receipt for an online payment must be given. It is necessary to draft a demand draft in Indian Rupees in favor of the Canadian high commission. VAC only accepts payments in cash.
VAC service fees are not included in the visa fee. You would be required to pay the extra fees for services that are specific to your area. Every payment received will also come with a receipt. Kindly keep the receipt as evidence of your payment.
Students must pay a biometrics fee of CAD 85 after submitting their visa application. This fee must be paid by candidates in addition to the standard visa fee. At the visa application center your biometrics will then be collected.

8.Canada Student Visa Processing Time

The time it takes the CIC to process an application for the study visa is known as the processing time. The application process begins when the candidate files the visa and finishes when the final decision is taken. The average processing time for a student visa for Canada is 6 weeks. Candidates can check the status of the applications through their MyCIC accounts, both online and on paper. The processing time for a Canada student visa following biometrics is 20 calendar days if the student applies by the SDC route.

9.Study Permit Renewal

Students must have a current student visa to enter Canada in order to stay and study. You must submit an application for a study visa renewal if your Canadian student visa expires before your program is finished. The best time to apply is at least 30 days before the expiration of your current permit. Applicants can apply online or by mail.

10. Dependents

On dependent visa spouses are permitted to attend classes full time. To support them you have to show that sufficient funds are available. If their stay is for one year or longer spouses are also allowed to work full time.

If you plan to travel to canada with your spouse or common law partner you are eligible to apply for an open work permit in certain circumstances. When you arrive in Canada with an open work permit you are free to apply and accept any job. To submit an application for a work permit you do not require a job offer or labor market impact assessments.

11. Canadian Embassy and Consulates Addresses

High Commission of Canada, New Delhi 7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110 021, India Phone: 011-4178 2000

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

Consulate General of Canada SCO# 54-56, Sector 17 A Chandigarh 160 017, India

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

12. VFS Center Addresses

New Delhi

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level,

Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place

New Delhi-110001

Chennai