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Step: 4 I How to Study in Canada I Canada Student Visa I Canada Visa Application

Updated: Mar 3, 2021

In this blog, you'll learn how to apply for your Canada Study Visa. Thanks for staying tuned through this 5 Part Blog Series on How apply for Universities and Colleges in Canada.


Looking to apply for Student Visa for Canada? This blog will cover 9 Steps to obtain your Canada Study Visa:

1. Know the important terms around Canada Study Visa process

2. Accepting your offer of admission to Study in Canada

3. Canada Student Visa eligibility requirements

4. Documents required for Canada Student Visa

5. Canada Student Visa Fees

6. Best Practices for International Student Visa Canada

7. Canada Student Visa Processing Time

8. What to expect around your Study Permit Canada and Visa

Don't have time? Simply watch the video below that goes over everything mentioned in this blog. Make sure to subscribe to the channel, so the next time there is a new video, you'll get notified.


Watch Video: Step: 4 I How to Study in Canada I Canada Student Visa I Canada Study Visa Process

1. Know the important terms around Canada Study Visa process:


The two most important terms to know during your visa application process are –

  • Study Permit or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

  • Temporary Resident Visa.

Canada Study Permit – this is not a visa, it’s a permit which allows you to study in Canada. If you hold a study permit, you must remain enrolled and make reasonable and timely progress towards completing your course.


Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – this is a recent requirement for visa-exempt, non-U.S. foreign nationals. Your eTA is valid for five years or until the passport you used to apply for the eTA expires (whichever is sooner), and can be used to travel to Canada many times.

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) – for students who have been accepted into a designated learning institution and are unable to apply for the eTA.

To find out if you need an eTA or a visitor visa, and how to apply, visit the Government of Canada website.


Important tip - don’t ever confuse a study permit for a temporary resident visa. How it works is - the first time you apply for a Canadian study permit, the TRV comes stamped on your passport with your approval letter, then you come to the Canadian border and receive your study permit. But in case you will be renewing your study permit once you get here, you will have to make sure you apply for your TRV separately once your study permit renewal gets approved.


Would you like to speak directly to the admissions team of Algonquin College? Register below for a free virtual information session where you can have all your questions answered and get information on their application process, programs and support services. Click the image below to register.

https://bit.ly/365LqAO


Would you like to speak directly to the admissions team of Algonquin College? Register below for a free virtual information session where you can have all your questions answered and get information on their application process, programs and support services. Click the image below to register.

https://bit.ly/365LqAO




2. Accepting your offer of admission to Study in Canada:

Sometimes you will get offers from multiple universities. If you have more than one university willing to take you in, do your research and pick one which suits your best interest. Also, make sure to accept the offer on your application portal. So, crucial step, don’t mess it up!

3. Canada Student Visa eligibility requirements:


Let’s say you have the offer confirmed. But are you eligible to apply for a Canadian Visa?


Here are the requirements in order to apply for a Canadian Study Permit:


Applying for your Canada Study Permit:

To apply for your study permit, you will need:

  • An acceptance letter from your education institution, and

  • A valid passport or travel document

You must also:

  • Prove that you have enough money to pay for your:

  • Tuition Fees

  • Living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada, and

  • Return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada

  • Be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada (you may have to provide a police certificate)

  • Be in good health (you may need to complete a medical exam)

  • Convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies

4. Documents required for Canada Student Visa:


There are lots of documents you will need. But most importantly, to prove you can financially support yourself and any accompanying family members, you may be asked to provide:

  • Documentation of a Canadian bank account in your name, if money has been transferred to Canada

  • Documentation of a student/education loan from a financial institution

  • Bank statements

  • A bank draft in convertible currency

  • Proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees

  • A letter for the person or institution providing your funding

  • Proof of funding paid from within Canada if you have a scholarship or are enrolled in a Canadian-funded educational program

You can visit the Government of Canada website for more information about applying for your study permit, including eligibility, fees and processing times.


5. Canada Student Visa Fees:

Now that you have determined that you are eligible to apply for a study permit, you need to take in account that you will also have to pay certain fees in order to complete your application process.


Here are all the fees associated:

  • Application fees: $150 + $100

  • Biometrics fees (included)

  • Medical Exam fees (varies by country)

  • VAC centre fees (varies by location)


6. Best Practices for International Student Visa Canada:

Please pay attention to the details through out your entire application process. Email the university if you have any questions, or just reach out to us and I will do my best to get back to you. Also, be very careful with filling out the information in the application packages and all other IMM forms. Double check everything. You can’t afford to make any mistakes. Prepare early, even before you get admission offer from the university.

7. Canada Student Visa Processing Time:

Usual processing times for Canada Study Visa processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.

8. What to expect around your Study Permit Canada and Visa

In case the visa office needs any additional documents, you can upload them online through your MyCIC portal and update your application. If they approve your application

they’ll send you a letter of introduction, which basically states that your application to study in Canada has been approved. This letter is not your study permit. You need to show it to an officer when you arrive in Canada. They also send you an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) to enter Canada.


If you’re from a country where you need an eTA, the letter of introduction will include information about your eTA. Your eTA will be linked to your passport and valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It’s important that you travel with the passport you used when you applied for your study permit.

If you’re from a country where you need a visitor visa, the visa will be in your passport. It’ll show if you can enter Canada once or multiple times. You must enter Canada before your visa expires.

But, in case the visa office refuses your application, they will send you a letter explaining why. Refusal reasons for your application can be in the case you didn’t:

  • show proof that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in Canada

  • pass your medical exam, if you needed to get one

  • convince the visa officer that your main purpose in Canada is to study or

  • convince the visa officer that you’ll leave Canada at the end of your study period

If you have questions about why you were refused, contact the visa office that sent you the refusal letter.

In conclusion, this stage is the pivotal moment for your journey in the Canada Visa Application process. You want this to be done perfectly. And of course, you put in the right amount of work, effort and time, guess what you will be able to come to Canada!


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Now that you have done your part, all you have to do is wait to hear a decision. But here is exciting part, now you are almost there. So now you need to prepare to come to Canada.


So check out the next blog on:

Step: 5 I How to Study in Canada I Canada Student Visa Process I Prepare for Arrival


Blog Tags: Canada Student Visa, Canada Visa, Study Permit Canada, Canada Immigration, Study in Canada, Canada Study Visa, Study Visa for Canada, Canada Student Visa Requirements, Canada Student Visa Process, Canada Student Visa Processing Time, Canada Student Visa Fees

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