How to Apply for Study Permit Canada

By admin (May 21, 2024)

How to Apply for Study Permit Canada

Canada has always been the top destination for international students from over all the world. Many people wonder about how to apply for study permit Canada.

You will first need to obtain a Canadian study permit if you are interested in studying in Canada.

Apply for Study Permit Canada

If you want legal authorization to study at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI), you need to apply for study permit Canada. When a foreign national submit the application for the study permit, he/she should be aware that there are eligibility requirements that must be met. There are certain conditions that must be met throughout the student’s duration of stay in Canada as well.

Many steps are involved when you apply for study permit Canada and the processing times differ from country to country, so it is best to plan ahead to make sure that your permit will be processed before the period of your study begins. Several Canadian post-secondary educational programs in September, January, or May commence studies, though several programs do offer intakes outside of those dates.

Foreign nationals should check the start date and application process for their schools and programs of interest far in advance since they cannot apply for study permit Canada without an acceptance letter, to ensure they have enough time to obtain the acceptance letter and complete the application for study permit.

The Requirements to Apply for Study Permit Canada

Eligibility requirements and requirements while studying in Canada are needed to be kept in mind while you consider applying for a Canadian study permit.

Eligibility Requirements to Apply for Study Permit Canada 

If you want to be eligible to apply for a study permit, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Have an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  • Provide the documentation which prove that you have enough funds to cover the cost of tuition for your first year of study as well as the cost of living (housing, food, etc) for yourself and any accompanying family members.
  • With all study permit applications, extensive supporting documentation must be submitted. This documentation differs from country to country. You can consult Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to determine the documents required for a specific location.
  • The Visa officer will confirm to ensure you meet the requirements when you apply for the permit. The Visa officer can refuse your application if he is not satisfied.

Requirements While Studying in Canada

You can enter Canada as an international student if your study permit is approved. To maintain the validity of your study permit, you must meet the requirements mentioned below:

  • Being enrolled at Designated Learning Institution (DLI) always
  • Respect every condition listed on the permit
  • You need to make progress towards completion of the program.
  • Stop studying if requirements are no longer met.
  • Leave Canada after the expiry of the study permit.

Application Process

To obtain Canadian work permit, there are 4 stages:

You must ensure that you meet all the requirements needed to be eligible for a Canadian study permit. Proof of financial support, acceptance letter from a DLI as well as a range of documents are required by you.

You can prepare your study permit application if you meet all the eligibility requirements. You need to ensure that you have gathered all the documents that you require. If immigration officers feel that an applicant has not met all the requirements, they reserve the right to refuse study permits, that’s why it is valuable to let your application be reviewed by a qualified immigration representative prior to submission.

You can either submit an electronic or paper-based application. Compile your application in hard copy and mail it to Visa Application Centre (VAC) to submit a paper-based application. Create an account on the website of IRCC so that you can submit an application electronically using scanned or digital copies of the documents.

Come to Canada after the approval of the study permit. You will receive your study permit after arriving at a Canadian Port of Entry (POE). A Port of Entry introduction letter will be issued by the Canadian government if your permit is approved. To obtain your study permit, you need to keep this letter and show it to the immigration official after your arrival in Canada.

A study permit is not a visa, which should always be kept in mind. It means that you may need a visitor visa to come to the POE in Canada, depending on the country of your citizenship.

Visa Exempt Countries: The countries which do not require a visa to enter Canada are visa-exempt countries. To obtain your study permit, you can come directly to the port of entry. An electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) will still be required by you to travel to Canada.

Non-Visa Exempt Countries: A visa is required by these countries to enter Canada. The visa officer should mail you a visitor visa authorizing your travel to Canada when your study permit application is approved.

Exemptions of Study Permit

A study permit is not required by every foreign national to study in Canada.

Here are the exemptions from the study permit which are most commonly known:

Short-Term Studies

If a foreign national is completing a program of study that has a duration of six months or less, a study permit is not required. A foreign national must secure a study permit if he/she is completing a program longer than six months, before the passing of the initial six months.

Members of Foreign Armed Forces

A study permit is not required by any member of a foreign armed force who is in Canada on active duty but their family members may require study permits.

Minor Children in India

Children under the age of 18 and 19, are considered minors. The age of minors varies from province to province. The minors do not need permission to attend kindergarten, pre-school, primary or secondary school if they are refugees or refugee claimants or they are in Canada accompanying a parent who is authorized to work or study.  

Studying in Quebec

Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) must be obtained by those interested in pursuing an educational program in the province of Quebec before applying for a study permit.