Canada Student Visa Comprehensive Guide

Posted on: Jul 17, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Canada Student Visa Comprehensive Guide

Canada has emerged and is still glamorously continuing to attract a significant number of Indian students to their universities. Apart from excellent scores and academic records, you need to have authentic legal validation to study there. This is done through a special Canada student visa.

What is a Canada student visa?

A Canada student visa is issued by the Canadian government to all eligible students seeking further studies in the country. The authorities issue it once they arrive in the country. However, the concerned student needs to first apply for a special Temporary Resident Visa. It is provided by the Canadian High Commission. It is facilitated at all authentic Visa Application centers. It is a legal permission offered by the Canadian authorities to all foreign students seeking admission to any of their universities.

All the students who have qualified and selected to study in Canada automatically become eligible to enrol under Designated Learning Institutions. This is a special educational organization with authoritative approval either by the territorial government or the provincial government to host international students.

This article will highlight all the significant aspects of a Canada student visa.

Eligibility criteria for Canada student visa

To ensure qualifying for a Canada student visa, you need to fulfil certain special exclusive eligibility criteria:

1. You have to be fully vaccinated with any of the following vaccines including, AstraZeneca/Covishield/Covaxin. You can consult the authorities to know further details regarding other accepted vaccines.

2. You need to get accepted by any authentic Designated Learning Institute of Canada.

3. You have to prove that you are eligible to pay for the necessary fees including the tuition costs, living expenses for yourself and your family, and transportation costs for yourself and other accompanying members of your family.

4. You must not have any sort of criminal record and prove it by producing a clean police verification certificate.

5. You have to prove that you are in good health condition by producing a clean medical certificate, mentioning that you do not have any health issues.

Documents required for Canada student visa

You can apply for a Canada student visa only if you receive an authentic acceptance letter from an authentic Canadian university. If September is the intake time, then you need to begin the visa application process in June. The essential documents that you need in this context include:

1. Valid passport

2. Acceptance proof by an authorised Designated Learning Institute

3. Fund proof with at least a balance of CAD 20635 annually. You can prove it by having an authentic Canadian bank account, GIC from any participating Canadian financial organisation, an education or student loan, a bank statement for the last 4 months, a bank draft eligible for conversion into Canadian dollars, payment proof of housing and tuition fees, letter from the fund-providing authority, funding proof paid from Canada in the case of any scholarship or Canada-funded educational program.

4. Recent passport-size photo

5. Certificate of Immigration Medical Centre

6. Result of English Language Proficiency Examination

7. Statement of Purpose

8. Provincial Attestation Letter for all non-degree and undergraduate courses.

Canada student visa fees

The standard embassy fee for a Canada student visa is CAD 150. You can use both online and offline methods for this visa application. In the case of an online application, you have to clear the necessary dues using a credit card. For the offline method, you have to use a DD if you are paying at the High Commission of Canada, which is drawn in their favour. For cash payment, you have to use VAC. You have to pay this fee after submitting the application.

You need to pay an additional service charge based on applicability, considering your region. For every payment done, a separate receipt will be issued which must be preserved for future reference and proof.

A biometric charge of CAD 85 must be paid apart from the standard visa charges.

Canada student visa application process

You need to carefully follow these steps to apply for Canada student visa application process:

• For Indian students, Canadian student visa processing time requires approximately 6 weeks excluding the biometric verification period. You should follow the official website to know the exact time.

Online

• You need to possess easy access to a working camera or scanner required to make copies of all the necessary documents along with a valid credit card for online fee payment.

• You need to appear for a fingerprint scan at the designated regional visa application centre.

• You must visit the VFS office to produce your passport along with your confirmation of the form. Depending on the requirement, you need to carry out and produce the necessary documents and clear the relevant dues.

Offline

Paper or offline application is only permitted under 2 specific conditions:

• Do you have any genuine physical disability that prevents you from the online application

• You hold any travel document or identity for non-national residents, stateless individuals, or refugees.

Duly fill out the VFS consent form and attach it to the application form.

Pay the non-refundable processing fees along with the VFS Global Service Charges.

You and all those accompanying you need to pay for work permits, temporary resident visas, or study permits as applicable.

Visit the nearest VFS office, clear the service charge dues submit the application and ensure to collect the receipt. This receipt bears a unique tracking number which is essential for future reference while tracking the application status.

If your application is approved, you will receive an intimation from the Canadian government asking for your passport. You have to visit the nearest VFS office personally for this, along with the passport request letter. Then, you will receive a Letter of Introduction along with a Temporary Resident Visa.

Canada student visa processing time

The procedure for a Canadian student visa begins with the application filing till the final decision date. This entire tenure usually spans nearly 6 weeks. You can easily check the current status of your application using the MyCIC account.

In case, you are applying using SDS, the time taken after the biometric test spans 20 calendar business days.

Tips for successful Canada student visa application

Ensure to start your research early from authentic sources to ensure having enough time for preparation. Never fail to appear on time as required for biometric tests, or passport submission. Begin your application process early considering the session of your chosen university. Maintain and manage all the papers efficiently throughout the course and even after that.

Cost of studying in Canada

This cost is dependent on several factors including the institution chosen, the region, and the educational program enrolled. The approximate tuition costs for an undergraduate program revolve around 6000 and 40000 CAD annually, while the graduate programs may cost around 35000 CAD/year. The annual living expenses also range up to 20000 CAD depending on the residential region.

However, you must note that these expenses are subject to change. You should clarify the exact details before applying.

Canada PR

Express Entry is available for Canadian PR. It includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, PNP, Federal Skilled Trades Program, etc. Considering the Comprehensive Ranking System, acquiring Canadian work experience will earn you extra points—70 if you have a spouse and 80 if not.

FAQs

1. Do I need international travel insurance for studying in Canada?

This is a mandatory document for every foreign traveller going abroad for tourism purposes. They are not eligible to receive the country’s free healthcare system. This Canada travel insurance protects you during such unfortunate circumstances. It holds true for foreign students, too. However, you need to clarify this with the authorities before applying.

2. May I purchase travel insurance online?

Yes, you can easily purchase travel insurance using online mediums.

Conclusion

This is a comprehensive Canada student visa guide that highlights all the significant aspects of the procedure. Ensure to keep all these factors in mind and proceed accordingly when needed.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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