Canada Student Visa Guide

Canada Student Visa Guide: Study Permit, Requirements, Fees, Application Process

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International students from across the globe are using Canada as a great platform for getting quality education. It is an excellent choice for students with its prestigious institutions and diverse student population worldwide. Before venturing on an educational trip to Canada, one has to secure a study permit. Discover the most fundamental information relating to Canada student visa, study permit, Canada student visa fees and requirements 2024 as well as the procedure.

What is a Canadian Study Permit?

A Canadian Study Permit is a document that being an official paper, the immigration authority of Canada issues. This permit allows qualified international students the chance to study in Canada. Note that the study permit does not equal a Canada student visa. You will require an eTA or a visitor visa if you want to travel into the country. A visit permit is authorized by the authorities of visas for entry into the country once your study permit has already been approved.

If you possess a study permit, you can reside in Canada throughout your program and an additional 90 days. This additional time frame allows you to plan your exit, prolong your stay, or search for employment in the country.

Click to learn: How to Get a study permit for Canada?

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Student Visa

Knowing the eligibility criteria is crucial to applying for a Canadian study permit. If you fulfill the Canada student visa requirements 2024 mentioned below:

Acceptance at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada
A valid passport or travel document
Proof of finance and funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and transportation costs
Clean criminal record and a police certificate (if required)
Good health and a medical examination report (if required)
Proficiency in English or French demonstrated through an accepted language test such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or TEF Canada
A letter of explanation outlining your study plans and understanding of the responsibilities as an international student in Canada

Canada Student Visa Application Process

There are several steps involved in applying for a Canadian study permit. Check out the guide that breaks down the process into easy-to-follow steps.

1. Formalize Your Canadian University Application

To start the process of applying to a Canadian student visa, you must first secure a confirmed acceptance at a university in Canada. This entails obtaining a solid acceptance and an acceptance letter.

2. Check if You require a Canadian Student Visa

While most students need a Canadian student visa, there are a few exemptions. You may not require a study permit if:

The duration of the program/course is less than six months
Depending on your province, you're under the age of 18 or 19
While studying, he is an active duty member of the armed forces.
You are a family member of an official foreign representative in Canada.

To check you have the correct permit requirements, it is recommended to use the official government tool to determine if a study permit is necessary.

3. Start Your Canadian Study Permit Application

After completing your university application, you can apply for your study permit. Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the platform for processing all permit applications. Ensure that you gather all necessary documents before commencing your application.

4. Pay the Application Fees

The Canadian student visa application fee is CAD 150. Students might have to pay extra costs for medical exams, biometrics data collection, and language tests. Be sure to include all these fees when assessing your budget.

5. Complete the Biometrics and Medical Examination

You will need to provide biometrics data, which includes fingerprints and official photos. You might be asked to submit a medical examination report, depending on your home country.

6. Attend the Interview (if required)

You might be required to appear in a Canadian immigration interview. This interview allows you to showcase your dedication to studying in Canada and your comprehension of the duties of an international student.

7. Receive Your Study Permit

You will be notified via the online portal once your application for a student visa for Canada has been accepted. If you have applied from outside Canada, you will be sent a "port of entry letter of introduction" to present to border services upon your arrival in Canada, alongside your visitor visa or eTA.

Applying Through the Student Direct Stream (SDS)

The processing time for the Canada student visa may extend to a period of 90 days. But if an individual is in a particular country, such as France s/he can use the Student Direct Stream (SDS) to speed up the process. It is also reported that the process of SDS usually takes about 20 days and includes classes from countries such as Brazil, China, India, Morocco, Pakistan Philippines, and Vietnam. For guidance on the eligibility criteria and to know about applying for Canadian student visas through SDS, please visit the Canadian government website.

Canada Student Visa Fees

If you want a study permit in Canada, CAD 150 (approximately USD 115) is required to be paid as a non-refundable fee for the same. On top of this fee, you might additionally be required to pay some other costs concerning gathering biometrics data, health checkups as well as language tests. When deciding to undertake a study in abroad, it is crucial to factor in the cost that arises from these extra factors

To apply for a Canada student visa and start studying in Canada, you must meet the payment requirements. Consider the following fees:

Application (per person)	CAD
Study permit (including applications for extensions)	$150
Biometrics fee (per person)	$85
Biometrics fee for a family (2 or more applicants) Maximum total fee for families that are applying together at the same time	$170

Canada Student Visa Processing Time

The Canada student visa processing time can vary depending on various factors, such as the number of applications, your home country, and the study permit you are applying for. Generally, the processing time is around 90 days.

Documents Required for Canadian Student Visa Application

To apply for a Canada student visa, you will need the following documents:

A letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada
A valid passport or travel document, along with two passport-size photos
Proof of sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and transportation costs
A clean criminal record and a police certificate (if required)
A medical examination report (if required)
Proficiency in English or French demonstrated through an accepted language test.
A letter of explanation outlining your study plans and understanding of the responsibilities as an international student in Canada.

Ensure you have all these documents ready and organized before starting your application process to ensure a smooth and successful outcome.

What are the Minimum Financial Requirements for a Canada Study Visa?

To obtain a student visa or study permit, you must have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses in Canada. The required funds vary depending on whether you study outside or inside Quebec. Here are the requirements for the minimum bank balance for Canada student visa in the table below:

Students studying outside of Quebec

Check out the minimum bank balance for Canada student visa in rupees for students outside Quebec:

Persons coming to Canada	Funds required per year	Funds required per year (INR)	Funds required per month	Funds required per month (INR)
Student	$10,000	INR 6,17,874	$833	INR 51,468
First family member	$4,000	INR 2,47,149	$333	INR 20,575
Additional family members accompanying	$3,000	INR 1,85,362	$255	INR 15,755

Students studying in Quebec

Check out the minimum bank balance for Canada student visa in rupees for Quebec province:

Persons coming to Canada	Funds required per year	Funds required per year (INR)	Funds required per month	Funds required per year (INR)
Student	$11,000	INR 6,79,662	$917	INR 56,665
First family member (18 years old or older)	$5,100	INR 3,15,116	$425	INR 26,262
First family member (under 18 years old)	$3,800	INR 2,34,792	$317	INR 19,589
Additional family members accompanying	$5,125	INR 3,16,660	$427	INR 26,383
An additional family member accompanying you (under 18 years old)	$1,903	INR 1,17,581	$159	INR 9,824

How long is the Canadian Student Visa valid?

Canada student visa is only valid for your study program, along with an extra 90 days. This 90-day period allows you to make arrangements for your departure from Canada or apply for an extension of your study visa.

You must complete your program within the validity period of your study permit to request an extension. On the other hand, if you finish your program before the study permit expiration date, you will be granted an additional 90 days to prepare for your departure from Canada.

Your program is completed, so you need to give proof of your successful completion in the form of letters or e-mails from your school. Instead, it would be possible to send a photocopy of the award, which could include your degree certificate or diploma. In any case, whenever your paper is scheduled on among these days, it will be the end date of your course and from that point you must prepare for training a hundred and fifty days beforehand.

Canadian Student Visa Work Rules

There are specific Canada student visa requirements 2024 that students must fulfill. These conditions prevent individuals from obtaining student status solely for illegal work purposes, without attending classes or pursuing their degrees. However, there are specific instances in which students are permitted to work:

1. On-campus work: Students enrolled in a full-time program can engage in on-campus employment.

2. Co-ops or internships: Students can participate in complete co-op or internship opportunities if their program curriculum mandates it.

3. Off-campus work: Students can work off-campus if their study permit allows it, with a limit of 20 hours per week.

It is important to note that each option has additional requirements and conditions that vary based on the student's situation.

Post-Graduate Work Permit in Canada

After completing their studies, students can apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). This allows international graduates to obtain up to three years of open work permits, enabling them to work in Canada without needing a job offer beforehand. To apply for a PGWP, you must have graduated from a DLI in Canada and completed a certificate, diploma, or degree program that lasted at least eight months.

How to Apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada?

Various international students can apply for permanent residence (PR) programs in Canada after gaining sufficient work experience there. Some popular PR programs for international students include the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and Quebec Immigration Options. The processing time for Canada PR can take around 6 months, which further depends upon factors like a province, the number of applicants, and the type of 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