Canada’s Student Visa Requirements

Canada has been one of the most popular study abroad destinations for decades now. It is especially quite the favorite among Indian students who are planning to pursue higher education from an international institution. It is so popular that in 2017, Indian students studying in Canada exceeded the count of 100,000.  

If you are planning to opt for a course or degree in one of the top universities of Canada, here are a few things you need to know about Canada and Canada’s student visa requirements.

Why study in Canada?

Besides quality education from good institutes, Canada also promises the convenience of working while studying. Canadian universities offer low tuition fees as compared to other international universities and also it is easier to avail a job after the completion of your study program in Canada than anywhere else. Alongside statured education, you also won’t develop that homesick feeling for your country in Canada because of a decent Indian Population in the country. 

Another massive reason to choose Canada for your further studies is personal safety. Canada has a reputation for tolerant and non-discriminatory society. It is ranked as 8^th in the list of the safest countries in the world. It is also very affordable to finance your living in Canada as compared to other top countries in the world.  

What are Canada’s student VISA requirements?

In order to study in top universities in Canada, you need brilliant academic score or at least more than 60% and a study permit. A study permit is a document issued by Canadian authorities to foreign nationals to study at Delegated Learning Institutes (DLI) in Canada. It gets issued to all the students after their arrival in the country. You need a student visa that allows you to visit the country to study in DLIs’ and below mentioned are the student VISA requirements;

·         It is advisable to score 60% or more in +2 and a band score of 7 not less than 6.5 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

·         Also, decide what university you want to apply to and thoroughly check its eligibility criteria. After taking the decision, you can apply to your desired university online or offline and then start the process of applying for a student visa once you get the letter of acceptance by the university.

·         There are various documents required for Canada student visa:

Passport: A valid passport is pre-dominantly important to apply for a student visa. According to Canadian High Commission, your passport must be valid to cover your stay in Canada.

Passport size photographs: two passport size photos, a minimum of 35mm*45mm is required if you are applying through the offline process. The online applicants are required to submit a digital picture of not more than 4MB. The photograph is supposed to be clicked with a solid and plain background, neutral face expressions and no-headgear other than the ones required for religious reasons.

Proof of acceptance: A letter of acceptance is required from the DLI you are planning to attend.

Immigration medical examination: You are obligatory to undergo an immigration medical examination from a certified doctor ideally a week before applying for Student VISA. After the completion of exam, the doctor will have to forward your results to CIC.

Statement of purpose (SOP): While applying for a Canadian student visa, you will be asked to submit an essay stating the purpose of your visit to Canada and the reasons for choosing that specific DLI. It might be optional but highly advisable to submit it.

Proof of funds: The students applying for a student permit in Canada need to show that they have enough funds available to support their tuition fees and living expenses. According to Canadian immigration the students are required to possess a minimum of CAD $ 10,000/year for their stay. They should also be able to manage their return fares.  

Additional documents: Besides the documents mentioned above, keep the following documents handy in case the interviewer asks for them.

1.      Degree, diploma, and certificates from previously attended schools.

2.      Proof of marks from exams like GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT or GRE.

So, now that you know the Canadian student visa requirements, you can apply for it and complete your education from the leading colleges of the country. If you want to know more about Canada and its Visa essentials, consult one of the best immigration professionals, Western Overseas.