There are several paths to migrate to Canada depending on your qualifications. As you probably know, the most common path is via the express entry program. Also, there is the Startup Visa program for the entrepreneurs. If you don’t qualify for these programs, you can consider the student route. The starting point is for you to get admission into a Canadian university or college. So, if you don’t know what to do, read the article on how to get admission into a Canadian university as an international student. In this article, we will show you how to apply for a Canadian Study Permit.
When you get admission into a Canadian university or college, the school will send you a “letter of acceptance. You will need this to submit an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to obtain a study permit. As an applicant for a Canadian study permit, you may include your family members on the application. This allows them to accompany you to Canada. Your accompanying spouse may be able to obtain an open work permit. This is that visa that enables them to work for any Canadian employer. If you have minor children, they may be able to study at Canadian elementary and secondary schools.
1. What Is A Study Permit?
The study permit is a document IRCC issues that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada. As an international, it is most likely that you need a study permit to study in Canada. Please note that your study permit is not a visa and It does not grant you admission into Canada. Most international students require a study permit. You do not need a study permit if your program in Canada is for six months or less. Depending on your country, you may also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). If IRCC approves your study permit, they will issue a visitor visa with your study permit.
2. How long can you stay in Canada with a study permit?
A study permit is usually valid for the length of your study program, plus an extra 90 days. The additional 90 days allows you prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay. You will find below different scenarios to determine how long you can stay in Canada with a study permit.
- If you are taking prerequisite courses: If your school requires you to take courses before they accept you into the main program, your study permit will be valid for the length of those courses, plus 1 year. After this initial course works, you will have to apply to extend your study permit if the school accepts you into the main program..
- The study permit expires before you finish your course: If you do not finish your courses before the date on your permit, you will have to apply to extend your study permit. You will need to leave Canada if you fail to apply to extend you study permit..
- You finish your course before your study permit expires: If you complete your studies early, your permit will stop being valid 90 days after you finish. When you complete your studies, your school will notify you and issue you a completion letter, transcript, degree or diploma. You must provide proof of the date your school notifies you, or the date you get your degree, diploma or certificate.
READ ALSO: HOW TO GET INTO A CANADIAN UNIVERSITY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
3. Who Can Apply For A Canadian Study Permit?
You will be able to study in Canada if you:
- are enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- show you have enough money to pay for your:
- tuition fees
- living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
- return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
- obey the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate (if required)
- are in good health and get a medical exam (if required)
- prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires
4. People Who Do not Need A Study Permit
As an international student, you most likely need a study permit to study in Canada. However, there are some exceptions. You will find below the exceptions.
Short-term studies (6 months or less)
You may be eligible to study at any school in Canada without a study permit if:
- your course or program lasts 6 months or less
- your studies are not part of a longer program and
- you will complete all your studies within the time IRCC approved you to stay in Canada (usually 6 months after you enter)
If you are taking prerequisite courses, you have to apply for a study permit. This applies also if the courses are less than 6 months long.
Family or staff of foreign representatives
If you are a family or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada, you may not need a study permit. To qualify for this, you need to be accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
Members of foreign armed forces
As a member of a foreign armed force on official duties in Canada, you do not need a study permit. However, if your family members, including minor children, want to study in Canada, they may need one.
Registered Indians in Canada
Anyone with Registered Indian status in Canada do not need a study permit. This applies to you even if you are a citizen of another country.
Minor children in Canada
If you have minor children, they will not need a study permit if:
- they are in kindergarten
- they are refugees or refugee claimants
- their parents are refugees or refugee claimants or
- they are in pre-school, primary or secondary school, and they are already in Canada with a parent who has a work permit or study permit
When your minor children reach the age of majority (18 or 19 years old, depending on the province or territory), they will need to apply for a study permit if they want to keep studying in Canada.
READ ALSO: HOW TO BECOME CANADA PERMANENT RESIDENT VIA EXPRESS ENTRY
5. Do You Need To Apply For A Study Permit If You Do Not Need One?
There are some scenarios where you may consider applying for a study permit even if you do not need one. Find below two (2) reasons we have identified:
- You may be able to continue studying (as long as you meet the requirements)
- You may be able to work on-campus or off-campus
When you apply for a study permit even though you do not need one, you must include a letter explaining why you want one with your application.
6. Which Documents Do You Need?
Before you start your application process, you need to ensure that you have the required documents. You will find below the documents you need to apply for a study permit :
Proof of acceptance
This first document you need is a ” letter of acceptance”. When a school accepts you into any of its programs, the school will send you a letter of acceptance. You will need to include the original or electronic copy of your letter with your study permit application.
Proof of identity
When applying for your study permit, you and each family member who want to come with you to Canada must have
- a valid passport or travel document
- two recent passport-size photos: The name and date of birth of the person should be written on the back of each photo.
Proof of financial support
You must prove that you can support yourself, and every family member who plans to come with you. To prove your fund, you can show the following:
- your bank statements for the past 4 months
- a bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
- proof you paid tuition and housing fees
- a letter from the person or school giving you money
- proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you have transferred money to Canada
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
- proof of a student or education loan from a bank (if applicable) or
- proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program.
Letter of explanation
You also need to provide letter of explanation which helps the visa officer to understand you and your goals. A typical letter of explanation will explain
- why you want to study in Canada and
- that you understand your responsibilities as a student
You should include this letter if you decide to apply for a study permit, even if you don’t have to get a study permit for your program.
Certificat d’acceptation du Québec
If your school is in Quebec, you need a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Gouvernement du Québec. Formore information on how to apply for the CAQ, contact your school. If the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) approves your application for a CAQ, but you are still waiting to get the CAQ, you can apply for your study permit with the approval letter from the MIFI. For more information on what you need to study in Quebec, see the process and the documents you need.
Custodian declaration (minor children)
If you need a custodian for your minor children, you must include the Custodianship Declaration form with your application. The form has 2 pages that must be notarized (certified by a notary) and then included with your study permit application. The custodian in Canada will sign the first page, and the parents or legal guardians of the minor child in the child’s home country must sign the second page.
Other documents
The visa office in your home country may require additional document. So, check the visa office instructions for your country or region for local requirements. Please note that you can also apply for your study permit even if you are not in your home country. If this is your case, you may have to prove your immigration status in the country you apply from.
READ ALSO: LICENSING BODIES FOR REGULATED PROFESSIONS IN CANADA
7. How to apply for a Canadian Study Permit
It is important to apply for a study permit immediately you receive the letter of acceptance. Study permit processing times vary, and applicants may see delays during busy times. So, start your application as early as possible.
You can decide to apply online or submit paper application.
Benefits of applying online
There are several benefits of submitting your application online. These includes:
- No courier fees or mail delivery time. IRCC gets your application instantly.
- Your applications may be processed more quickly.
- It helps you make sure your application is complete before you submit it.
- You can quickly submit more documents online.
- You get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.
Applying Online From Outside Canada
To apply online from outside Canada, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you need the following:
- a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and
- a valid credit or debit card.
Step 2: Read the instruction guide carefully
Before you start your application, read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide explains how to complete each field on the form.
Step 3: Prepare your answers for the online tool
Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. IRCC uses your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you. So, this is an important step.
Step 4: Understand the fees you have to pay
For most applicants, your fees will include:
- processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application
- biometrics fee
IRCC expects you to pay your fees at the end of your application.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
- medical exams
- police certificates
- language testing
- services at a Visa Application Centre, if you use one.
You will have to pay these fees directly to the third party.
Biometrics fee
You should plan to pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise, you may experience delays with your application. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. You need to find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Step 5: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to be able to apply online. You can use your account to:
- pay your fees
- submit your application
- check your status
Applying on paper from outside Canada
Step 1: Get the application package
To apply on paper, you need to Get an application package. The application package you will receive includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need. Read the guide carefully before you complete your application.
Step 2: Complete your application and attach all relevant documents
Make sure you include all the required documents with your application. If any information or documents are missing, it may delay the processing of your application. To avoid this, use the document checklist in the application package. Also, ensure you answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully.
Step 3: Pay your application fees
In most cases, your fees will include:
- processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application
- biometrics fees
You will need to pay your fees before you submit your application. The instruction guide will help you understand which fees apply to you.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for the following:
- medical exams
- police certificates
- language testing
- services at a Visa Application Centre, if you use one.
Please note that you will pay these fees directly to the third party.
Biometrics fee
In most cases, plan to pay a biometrics fee when you pay your application fees. If you don’t, you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. You need to find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Fast-track option: Student Direct Stream (SDS)
Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream. You can get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream if you live in one of the following countries:
- India
- China
- The Philippines
- Pakistan
- Vietnam
- Morocco
- Senegal
Citizens of these countries must be residing in the country to be eligible for the SDS. To get faster processing, you must
- give your biometrics as soon as possible
- meet all the eligibility requirements
IRCC’s processing standard for most SDS applications is 20 calendar days. You must submit your SDS application online.
To be eligible for the SDS, you also need to meet the following requirements:
- Have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian designated learning institution
- Live outside of Canada when you apply for the study permit
- Have proof that you have paid your tuition for your first year of study in Canada
- Have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) with a participating Canadian bank of $10,000 CAD
- Obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (Quebec Acceptance Certificate, or CAQ) if you plan to study in Quebec
- have a medical exam before submitting your application (if you are required to get one)
- Get a police certificate before submitting your application (if you are required to get one)
- Have your most recent school transcripts (secondary and post-secondary)
- Obtain a language test result of at least the following:
- A minimum of 6.0 in each skill on the IELTS (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
- A TEF score equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of a minimum of 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
READ ALSO: HOW TO MIGRATE TO CANADA AS AN ICT WORKER
8. What Happens After You Submit Your Application?
IRCC will process your study permit application
The visa office will check your application to make sure you have all the necessary documents. If it is incomplete, they may return your application without processing it. The visa officer may also ask you to:
- go to an interview with our officials in your country or
- send more information
- get medical exam (if required)
- obtain police certificate (if required)
Updating your application
If you move or change your address, telephone number or any other contact information after you apply, you must update your application.
9. Status Of Your Application
If the visa office approves your application, IRCC will send you a letter of introduction. confirming the approval This letter is not your study permit. You need to show this letter to an officer when you arrive in Canada. Depending on your country, IRCC will also send you an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) to enter Canada.
If IRCC refuses your application, you will get a letter which explains the reason. The visa officer may refuse your application if you didn’t:
- show proof that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in Canada
- pass your medical exam, if you needed to get one
- convince the visa officer that your main purpose in Canada is to study or
- convince the visa officer that you’ll leave Canada at the end of your study period
If you have questions about why IRCC refuses your application, contact the visa office that sent you the refusal letter.
10. Prepare For Your arrival In Canada
Finally, as soon as you receive the letter of introduction from the visa office, you need to prepare for your arrival. Check this moving to Canada checklist to understand what you need to make your journey smooth.
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