Are you interested in schooling in Canada but do not know how to get a student visa? It will interest you to know that it is an easy and seamless process. And that is what this article set out to teach us. We will give the simple steps and breakdown on how to apply for a Canada student visa and get it easily.
Canada is one of the best places in the world to get a quality education. Moreover, almost everyone here gets the positive impacts of education because there are available jobs and opportunities for everyone irrespective of their field of study. For these reasons, Canada welcomes thousands and millions of immigrant students yearly. This country has topped the chart as the most educated country in the world many times. Statistics from the OECD reveal that over 56% of the adults in Canada are educated beyond high school.
As a foreign national seeking education in Canada, you must have a student visa. Getting this visa takes a process hence the knowledge of how to apply for a Canada student visa is important. Read this article to get the full details and steps involved in doing that.
What Is A Canada Student Visa?
A Canada student visa is a type of Canadian visa that is issued to international students studying in Canada. This type of visa is the legal document that permits you to stay and school in the country. It is usually valid for 3 to 4 years depending on the length of your course. In other words, the visa expires at the end of your course (study) in the country. Student visas are also known as study permits in Canada.
However, it gives you an additional 90 days (3 months) to prepare to leave the country. Within these 3 months, you are allowed to apply for an extension if there is a need for that. To get this visa, you must provide certain requirements and follow due process in applying for it. See more as you continue reading.
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Requirements For A Canada Student Visa
You will provide the following requirements while applying for a Canada student visa.
- Admission letter or letter of acceptance from a Canadian university or any higher institution.
- Proof of funds: you will also be required to send your account statement to show that you are capable of taking care of yourself while studying in the country. You should have at least 10,000 CAD to pass this requirement.
- 2 recent passport-sized photograph
- A copy of your passport
- A copy of your statement of purpose
- Health fitness certificate’
- Copies of your current immigration status in another country or Canada.
- Proof that your stay in Canada is temporary and that you will return to your country after your studies.
- Must be 18 years and above
- Must not have a criminal record
- Should be physically and mentally fit
- Must be able to communicate in English or French.
Bear in mind that the requirements for getting a student visa in Canada are not static hence they change from time to time. Therefore, always get updates about the requirements on the IRCC (Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada) website.
How To Apply For A Canada Student Visa
Here is the step-by-step process of applying for a Canada student visa.
Step 1: Register online
This involves opening an online account on the Canada immigration website. Note that even when you visit the immigration office in your country, you will also go through this process.
Step 2: Prepare The Required Documents
Next is to prepare all the documents outlined in the previous paragraph. If you are not from an English-speaking country, visit the Canadian embassy to translate and certify your documents.
Step 3: Fill Out Application Forms
You will fill out a visa application form and other required forms. Ensure that all information on the form is entered correctly. At the end of the visa application form, always input your signature.
Step 4: Pay All Required Fees
You must pay a visa application fee and a biometric fee. These funds are non-refundable irrespective of the decision of the application. Pay the fees online through a given link and print a copy. Attach a copy of the fees to other documents before submission.
Step 5: Submission
After gathering all the documents, scan them and submit them online through the account that was created in Step 1 above.
How Much Does A Canada Student Visa Cost?
You can not submit an application without paying all the required fees and yes, getting a student visa is not free. Also, note that the fees are paid per person hence if you are going with any family member, you will pay for them as well.
The study permit costs $150 per person. This includes applications for extensions. There is also a biometric fee of $85 per person. However, if you are applying for a family of 2 or more, the biometric fee is $170.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Canada Student Visa?
Getting a Canada student visa usually takes between 4 weeks and 3 months (90 days) after application. So, it is advised to apply for it as soon as you get an offer from any university. It sometimes takes a little longer than 90 days depending on the country you are applying from. Therefore the earlier you apply for your student visa or permit, the earlier its processing time and your period of getting the visa.
Where Can I Apply For A Canada Student Visa?
A Canada student visa can be obtained or applied for in different ways. They are;
Your Country’s Immigration.
The first method is to visit the Canadian immigration office in your country. There, you will be directed on how to go about the application. You will also get up-to-date information about the requirements for a student visa.
Online
On the other hand, you can apply for the visa online via the official website of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website. This process is time saving hence it is easier than the first method. However, you may be required to also visit the immigration office for an interview and collection of visa if it is approved.
From Port Of Entry
This type of application comes with several eligibility criteria because it is not available to everyone. When you apply here, you will get your visa at the border.
From Inside Canada: this type is also done online and it is available to specific applicants such as Ukrainians, minors, students on exchange programs, those willing to extend their study permit, etc.
Can I Apply For A Canada Student Visa In Person?
There is a provision for in-person application. However, this is made for people in any of these categories
- Those with disabilities preventing them from applying online.
- Those with travel or identity documents issued to stateless people, refugees, etc.
Final Words
Now that you have seen how to apply for a Canada student visa, I hope you will do yours seamlessly.