Canada is home to some of the most renowned universities in the world, with several ranking in the top 200 list globally. The education system in Canada allows students to freely conduct their research and score the chance to publish their findings in well-known scientific journals. Apart from the academic opportunities, the multicultural flair of the country attracts students from all over the world to apply for student visa Canada or study permit.
And hey, who can say no to affordable tuition that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? So if you’re interested in continuing your higher education in Canada, here’s a detailed guide on what steps you’d need to take.
1. Obtain Acceptance Letter from a Canadian University
The first hurdle is deciding on a university. This step may take a long time as you’ll have to compare and evaluate the pros and cons of different universities from the listed Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). Once you’ve made up your mind and set your heart on an institution, you can apply for admission there. If you receive an acceptance letter from the university, you’ll automatically become eligible to apply for the visa application process.
2. Applying for a Study Permit
According to Canada’s immigration policy, all U.S. students require a study permit to study in Canada. This will cost you about 150 Canadian dollars. You can apply for the permit online or by paper. If you decide to go for offline application, you’ll have to pay a visit to the visa application center nearby to submit your documents. It is recommended that you apply for the student permit about 4 to 6 months in advance, as it can take a while to process your visa. Once your study permit is approved, you’ll receive either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which will allow you to travel to Canada.
3. Documents Required to Get Your Canadian Student Visa
The most important part of this step is that you should prove that you can support yourself during the study program. You’re expected to manage your own living and daily expenses. As a standard, Canada requires 833 Canadian dollars per month for any province other than Quebec. For Quebec specifically, the monthly expected finance is 917 Canadian dollars. It doesn’t matter if the funds are from an external source or already deposited in your bank account.
While American students don’t need to take a comprehensive medical test before departing for Canada, they are sometimes asked to provide biometrics during the visa application process. The biometric procedure requires your pictures and your fingerprint scan as an additional safety measure.
4. Additional Information
Student visa Canada is valid for the duration of a course and an additional 3 months. This means that you’ll have to renew your visa every year while you’re attending your program. If you decide to prolong your stay after completing your studies and getting a job, you’ll have to apply for a different visa through the immigration service.
5. COVID-19 Guidelines
Considering the situation with COVID-19, Canada has decided to keep its door open for international students provided that they’re vaccinated and will follow a 14-day quarantine plan before arriving in Canada.
So, that’s all the basics covered. The decision is now in your hands!
If you need more detailed information or want to download forms, head to the Canada immigration website.
