Study Permit Application
Study Permit Application
Every year, Canada opens its doors to hundreds of thousands of international students. From 2015 to 2019, the number of international students allowed in the country has almost doubled, which has made Canada one of the most attractive academic destinations in the world. Students not only seek quality education but they are also drawn by the country’s welcoming communities and the potential work opportunities while studying and after graduation. It is therefore one of Canada’s greatest advantages to offer international students the possibility to work while studying and very often, upon graduation as well.
Based on your budget and academic goals, the first step towards coming to Canada as an international student is to choose a program at a designated learning institution (DLI). It is important to take into account that English or French language courses and other programs shorter than 6 months do not require a mandatory study permit. However, if you may want to continue your studies after completing a short program, then applying for a study permit and attaching a letter of explanation with the application is recommendable. The second most important step is to calculate your budget not only to cover school fees, but also the living expenses and transportation cost for yourself and your family. It is important to highlight that the Ministry of Immigration will not process a study permit before the applicant has received a positive acceptance letter from the designated learning institution.
Study Permit Application
Each learning institution will have its own admission process and specific prerequisites to the programs. Some of the most common requirements you will see amongst the different institutions are: proof of language, previous school transcripts and diplomas, processing fees and certified translations of any documents that are not in English or French. When it comes to proof of language, there is not a standard threshold for language level and as it can greatly vary between institutions. Oftentimes, internationally recognized tests such as IELTS, TOEFL or canadian-based CELPIP will be accepted in most of the institutions. If your language level is not strong enough to meet the minimum language threshold for your desired program, you may be able to attend a registered language school and benefit from a bridging language program to level up.
Once the acceptance letter has been issued, most prospective students will then need to submit an application for a study permit. There are very few exceptions to the mandatory student permit and that includes: family members of diplomats, members of a foreign armed force signatory of the Visiting Forces Act and registered Indians in Canada. For most prospective students, a study permit application needs to be requested before entry to Canada. This can be done online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) responsible for your country of residence or nationality. It is important to make sure you submit a full application to avoid undesired delays.
As discussed previously, proof of financial support, the acceptance letter and a valid passport are key into building a complete application. Depending on the length of the program, the province and the number of family members accompanying the international student, the required proof of funds may be larger or smaller. In addition, depending on which country the prospective student has resided during the last 6 months prior to their trip to Canada, a medical test can be required with the application as well. In summary, advanced planning is recommended prior to your trip to Canada. Enough time is needed to gather all the specific documentation to first apply to the learning institution and subsequently, apply for a study permit. Processing times change depending on the applicant’s country of nationality and the timelines that each learning institution has as well.
Regards,
SmartImmigrant
