Canada Student Visa: Types, Requirements, Processing Time & Rejection Reasons

Canada student visa, also known as a study permit, is an immigration document issued by the Canadian government that allows international students to study in Canada. Obtaining a Canada student visa can be a complex process. However, with the right guidance and preparation, it can open the doors to a world-class education and give various opportunities for personal and professional growth in the country. 

A Canada study permit is not exactly equivalent to a visa and it does not grant entry into Canada. Students may additionally require a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for entry. Upon approval of the study permit, the authorities will issue it along with any other necessary documents for entry. In this article, we will guide you through applying for a Canada student visa, including Canada student visa requirements, the application process, and post-graduation opportunities.

Canada Student Visa News & Recent Updates

• Starting 2024, international students wishing to study in Canada will now require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) along with the letter of acceptance from the province or territory where their chosen university is located. Alberta and Manitoba have already begun issuing PALs to international students admitted to schools within these provinces.
• Canada implements 2-Year cap on international student visas amid concerns over housing and overall education system. Immigration Minister March Miller announces a 35% reduction, capping student visas at 360,000 in 2024. To get more information, read Canadian Government Announces 2-Year Cap on International Student Visas!
• The Canadian Government is thinking about restricting the number of international students allowed to stay in the country due to a housing crisis. The government introduced this strategy to tackle the housing problem, linked to increased demand and slowed construction, further reducing affordability for migrants and international students.
• Starting January 1, 2024, there are new funding requirements for Canadian student visas. All international students, including Indian students, now need a minimum of 20,635 CAD (12.75 lakhs INR) to study in Canada. If family members join, the fund requirement will increase accordingly. This amount is almost double the earlier requirement of 10,000 CAD (6.18 lakhs INR) per year.
• According to a recent announcement, international students who are currently in Canada, as well as those who have applied for a study permit before December 7, 2023, can now work more than 20 hours per week off campus until April 30, 2024.

Canada Student Visa Types

If you are an Indian student interested in studying in Canada, you will need to apply for a study visa for Canada from India. There are several types of Canada student visas available for Indian students, depending on your situation and eligibility criteria.

• Study Permit: This permit allows you to study at Canadian universities for the duration of your program. To be eligible for a Canadian Study Permit, a student must have been accepted to a Canadian educational institution and provide proof of enrollment, as well as proof of financial support and language proficiency.
• Student Direct Stream (SDS) program: This is a faster application process for students who meet certain requirements, such as English or French language proficiency and proof of financial support. The SDS Canada Visa allows eligible Indian students to receive their study permit in as little as 20 calendar days.
• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ): If you plan to study at Colleges in Quebec, you need a CAQ in addition to a study permit. The CAQ is issued by the government of Quebec and confirms that you meet the province's immigration requirements for studying and living in Quebec.

Canada Student Visa Requirement

To be eligible for a Canada student visa, you must meet certain requirements, including educational requirements, financial requirements, language proficiency requirements, and health and security requirements.

Canada Student Visa Requirement: Documents

1. Proof of Acceptance: Applicants enrolled at a designated learning institute (DLI) must submit a letter of acceptance along with the application.
2. Proof of Identity: Applicants and family members who are accompanying them must submit the following documents as proof of identity:-
   • A valid passport or travel document.
   • Birth Certificate
3. Passport-size Photographs: You need 2 photographs with a plain background with a neutral expression; preferably giving formal appeal. Also, note that
   • Image size should be around 35 mm x 45mm
   • Image should be recent (no older than 6 months)
   • Name and DOB should be mentioned in the back
4. Proof of Financial Support: It is compulsory for students to be able to afford their expenses while studying in Canada. Applicants can provide various documents as proof of financial support:-
   • Proof of student loan from a bank
   • Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from the participating Canadian financial organization
   • Official bank statements for the past four months
   • Proof of a Canadian bank account in the applicant’s name, if they have transferred money to Canada
   • A letter from the sponsor stating the availability of sufficient funds
   • Applicants who are offered scholarships or are in a Canadian-funded educational program must show proof of funding paid from within Canada
5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)- Canadian Immigration requires international students to undergo a compulsory Immigration Medical Examination from impaneled doctors. Students would have to book an appointment and visit the listed doctors for a medical examination, preferably a week before they start their Visa Application.
6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score- Though not mandatory to have at the time of application, we strongly recommend that you have appeared for and get your English Language Proficiency Score before you start your Canada student visa application process. You can read further and check out the exact IELTS requirement for Student Visa in Canada!
7. Statement of Purpose- When applying for a student permit Canada, students are required to submit an essay explaining the purpose/intent of choosing Canada as their study abroad destination and why they chose the particular institution. This is an optional requirement but highly recommended. Click here and read a sample SOP for Canada Student Visa to get a rough idea about this important document!
8. Credit Card- In case you are making an online application, you'd also require a credit card to pay the application fee. The Visa Application Fee for Indian students for Canada is 150 CAD (9,200 INR). Please remember that the system only accepts credit cards and not debit cards.
9. Minimum Funds Required for Student Visa Canada- Students applying for a study permit in Canada are required to prove that they have enough funds for a return fare as well. Effective January 2024, the minimum bank balance for Canada Student Visa is as follows:

Other Documents

• Letter of Explanation: This letter or SOP for Canada student visa provides insight to the visa officer about the applicant’s goals and aspirations.
• Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ):- Applicants who are planning to study in Quebec will need a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l'Immigration, Diversité et Inclusion (MIDI). Students can get all the information on how to apply for CAQ from the DLI they are enrolled at.

How To Apply for Study Visa Canada

The applicants for a Canada student visa can apply online as well as offline (paper application). By following these steps and providing accurate information, you can increase your chances of obtaining a student visa to study in Canada.

1. Apply for admission: The first step towards obtaining a student visa for Canada is to apply for admission at a designated learning institution (DLI) and pay the tuition fees. Once accepted, you will receive an acceptance letter which is a crucial document for the visa application.
2. Pay the fees: To begin, you will need to pay the application fee of 150 CAD (9,270 INR) and the biometric fee of 85 CAD (5,255 INR). For further information regarding biometrics, you can explore biometric requirements for Canada Student Visa!
3. Check if a study permit is required: Depending on your country of origin, you may need to apply for a study permit for Canada. Additionally, you may also need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.
4. Prepare the required documents: You will need to gather all the necessary documents to complete the application, including your acceptance letter, proof of funds, and language proficiency test results. It is important to ensure that you provide accurate and complete information.
5. Purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): International students are required to purchase a GIC worth 20,635 CAD (12.75 lakhs INR) to cover living expenses.
6. Submit the application: Once you have all the necessary documents and have purchased the GIC, you can submit your application online or via paper application.
7. Undertake medical exams: You will need to undergo a medical examination to ensure that you are fit to study in Canada.
8. Schedule biometric appointment and interview: As part of the application process, you will need to schedule a biometric appointment and an interview with a Canadian visa officer.

Canada Study Visa Cost

The various expenses associated with the Canada student visa are tabulated below:

Canada Student Visa Processing Time

The average Canada student visa processing time is about 8 weeks. This time frame may vary based on several factors, including the volume of applications, the complexity of the application, and time of year. As a result, it is usually preferable to apply early so that you have enough time to obtain the student visa. During this time, you can make sure you have all the required documents and complete your application properly.

Canadian Embassy and Consulates Address

Canada Student Visa Rejection Rate

International students seeking a Canada Student Visa fulfilling all the minimum criteria for admissions are usually optimistic about the decision. It is, however, observed that a study permit for Canada may be refused even when the applicant fulfills academic and admission requirements for an institution. Some of the popular reasons for rejection of Canadian student visa by IRCC are listed below:

1. Financial Insufficiency
2. Choice of Program
3. Letter of Acceptance
4. Incomplete Travel or Identity Documents
5. Intent of Return to Home Country
6. Lack of Job Prospects in Home Country 

A new study by the Toronto Star found that almost half of international students accepted by Canadian schools are being told "no" by visa officers. About 40% of students from India had their Canada student visa applications rejected, with reasons labeled as "other" or "unspecified." It shows that many students are facing challenges getting their visas, especially those from India.

Applying Against Study Permit Refusal

There is a lack of a speedy and efficient system for appealing against a negative decision taken against the Canada student visa. For applicants whose student visa has been refused, there are three ways to apply against the refusal. These are listed below:

• Request Reconsideration
• Appeal to the Federal Court of Canada
• Submit New Application

Canada Student Visa Application

If the study permit Canada of an applicant expires before program completion, they are required to apply for the renewal of the visa. The basic process for the same is briefed below:

• Apply for a new student visa at least 30 days before the expiration date
  • Applications can be made online or via mail
• Apply for the extension of TRV.

Students must note that their study permit applications will undergo a detailed review by an immigration officer who will check the authenticity of the information and documentation provided. After this, eligible applicants will receive a letter specifying the date, time, and place for the interview.

If an application is rejected, all the documents will be returned to the applicant along with an explanation of why the application was refused. The study permit for an applicant expires in 90 days of the completion of the program. Applicants who wish to work while studying or pursue part-time jobs in Canada are required to have a work-study visa for Canada.

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